Separate Roads (Ribbons West Book #2) by Judith Pella & Tracie Peterson

Author:Judith Pella & Tracie Peterson [Pella, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC042030, FIC042000, FIC026000
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2011-11-01T05:00:00+00:00

20

Brenton shifted nervously in his seat and folded and refolded his hands. He didn’t want to appear anxious, but he was. He’d been summoned to attend a meeting of several important people associated with the Union Pacific. Peter Dey had sent a messenger with a formal-looking letter announcing his desire for Brenton Baldwin to be in attendance for a consultation regarding the survey assessments and building of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Now, seated in Dey’s small office, with no fewer than ten other men squeezed in around him, Brenton felt rather insignificant. Here he was, not yet twenty-one, and he had been called to a meeting of the most important men in Omaha.

“I can’t say that I’m happy about the Hoxie proposal,” Dey told them. “I’m not even sure who H. M. Hoxie is and why Mr. Durant believes him capable of constructing the first one hundred miles of this railroad, but nevertheless, his was the only bid received.”

Brenton found it surprising that no other construction firm had sought to bid on what would surely become the building project of the century.

“I am further dismayed by the suggestion made by our colleague Colonel Silas Seymour.” All heads turned to the man of whom Dey was speaking. The colonel acknowledged everyone with a nod but said nothing, and Dey continued. “I made a valuable survey of the area surrounding Omaha. It need not be compromised with the suggestion by our New York consulting engineer that the grade is too steep. Neither should it be allowed that the Platte River valley is any more of a threat to flooding than any other river, suggesting hundreds of thousands of dollars to be spent on building up levees and flood control.”

“My honorable sir,” Colonel Seymour said in a low drawl. “I could not in good conscience tell our friend Mr. Durant that your original route was anything but questionable. I see the route as needing much in the way of assistance. I merely suggest we loop to the south and west. True enough it adds nine miles to the length of the railroad, but it would also allow for a more reasonable grade, which would eventually be to our benefit once actual rail travel becomes reality. As for flood control, I have spoken to many regarding this situation and feel confident that this is the most responsible way to proceed.”

Dey fumed over the colonel’s obvious disregard for his position. Durant was well-known for usurping authority. Even authority he himself had assigned, such as was the case with Peter Dey.

“To bring our attention back to the Hoxie contract, which, I might add, has not yet been ratified or approved,” Dey continued, “we must assure the route with the final surveys. Hoxie is working off of my original plans and information provided us by General Grenville Dodge. He has also, no doubt, included consideration for Colonel Seymour’s suggestions.

“Hoxie’s contract proposes,” Dey explained, “that he should build the first one hundred miles for the sum of fifty thousand dollars per mile.

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