Of course I never spoke to any one about it.  None of the trainmen knew that Mr. Scott had not personally given the orders.  I had almost made up my mind that if the like occurred again, I would not repeat my proceeding of that morning unless I was authorized to do so.  I was feeling rather distressed about what I had done until I heard from Mr. Franciscus, who was then in charge of the freighting department at Pittsburgh, that Mr. Scott, the evening after the memorable morning, had said to him: 

“Do you know what that little white-haired Scotch devil of mine did?”

“No.”

“I’m blamed if he didn’t run every train on the division in my name without the slightest authority.”

“And did he do it all right?” asked Franciscus.

“Oh, yes, all right.”

This satisfied me.  Of course I had my cue for the next occasion, and went boldly in.  From that date it was very seldom that Mr. Scott gave a train order.

[Illustration:  THOMAS A. SCOTT]

[Illustration:  JOHN EDGAR THOMSON]

The greatest man of all on my horizon at this time was John Edgar Thomson, president of the Pennsylvania, and for whom our steel-rail mills were afterward named.  He was the most reserved and silent of men, next to General Grant, that I ever knew, although General Grant was more voluble when at home with friends.  He walked about as if he saw nobody when he made his periodical visits to Pittsburgh.  This reserve I learned afterwards was purely the result of shyness.  I was surprised when in Mr. Scott’s office he came to the telegraph instrument and greeted me as “Scott’s Andy.”  But I learned afterwards that he had heard of my train-running exploit.  The battle of life is already half won by the young man who is brought personally in contact with high officials; and the great aim of every boy should be to do something beyond the sphere of his duties—­something which attracts the attention of those over him.

Some time after this Mr. Scott wished to travel for a week or two and asked authority from Mr. Lombaert to leave me in charge of the division.  Pretty bold man he was, for I was then not very far out of my teens.  It was granted.  Here was the coveted opportunity of my life.  With the exception of one accident caused by the inexcusable negligence of a ballast-train crew, everything went well in his absence.  But that this accident should occur was gall and wormwood to me.  Determined to fulfill all the duties of the station I held a court-martial, examined those concerned, dismissed peremptorily the chief offender, and suspended two others for their share in the catastrophe.  Mr. Scott after his return of course was advised of the accident, and proposed to investigate and deal with the matter.  I felt I had gone too far, but having taken the step, I informed him that all that had been settled.  I had investigated the matter and punished the guilty.  Some of these appealed to Mr. Scott for a reopening of the case, but this I never could have agreed to, had it been pressed.  More by look I think than by word Mr. Scott understood my feelings upon this delicate point, and acquiesced.