Even the Mexicans, listening to Mendoza's translation, became
interested, despite their lesser degree of intelligence.
Tom continued to talk against time, though he wasted few words. All
that he said went home to many of the laborers. While he was still
talking the whistle of the pay train was heard.
Reade quickly sent his foremen and a few trusted workmen to head off any
"runners" who might attempt to come in from Paloma while the men were
being paid off.
As the train came to a stop Tom leaped upon a flat car behind the engine
and introduced one of the newcomers--the vice president of a savings
bank over in Tucson. This man, who knew the common people, talked for
fifteen minutes, after which a clerk appeared from the pay car with a
book in which to register the signatures of those who wished to open
bank accounts. Then the paymaster and his assistants worked rapidly in
paying off.
That railroad pay day proved a time of gloom to many in the town of
Paloma. The returning pay train carried the bank officials and twenty-
four thousand dollars that had been deposited as new accounts from the
men.
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