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the M&W in the summer, thus scrapping one saddle tank on the B&C and one G-10 on the M&W - also overhauling the B&C saddle tank in the winter while the diesel does the job, and the M&W G-10 in the summer when the diesel does that job! We gave Put specs on the 44 ton Cat job and the 65 ton industrial unit, & he seemed much interested. Then we all trooped in to see Harry Balch, Supt., the 6ft. 5in gentleman. I never was much impressed with Harry before but today, I changed my opinion. He is able, interesting, interested, attentive, receptive, pleasant, human, poised. Put left us shortly, and Neil and I sat in Harry's office until 6 PM talking. It developed Harry and I had voted for Willkie so we teamed up heavily on Neil in political argument among other things. Harry agreed to visit us at Woodsville tomorrow. On the wall in Harry's office was a photo of an old time locomotive named somebody "Balch." It was named for Harry's grandfather who was a director of the old Boston & Providence Railroad (now New Haven); Harry's father was a doctor. We also got Harry & Put to agree to try to borrow one of the new B&M's for a trial on their line. So we are making progress.

Back to Wells River over snowy, icy roads, defrosters going strong. Dinner at Hale's Tavern. After dinner, upon the reccommendation of Doris, our waitress, we drove up to East Ryegate, a small paper mill town, and broke in upon a country dance, having learned that Roy would not arrive until tomorrow morning. At the dance we were hailed by a whiskey happy native who had seen us eating at the Tavern this evening - so that tie made us bosom pals. He introduced us to his wife with whom we danced once. I tried the Soldier's Joy with a country gal with