The Speculations of John Steele

"The Speculations of John Steele" by Robert Barr, is a story about a clever young man's journey through the ranks of the railroad. Beginning as a station-master, John Steele uses his wits to save a train from crashing, and this brave act propels him into a world of office politics and tricky situations. Moving up to a better job after the near-disaster, Steele's new role introduces him to people who both like and dislike his fast and loose style, especially the strict general manager, T. Acton Blair. These early events create a foundation showing Steele grappling with whether he is good enough while dealing with the expectations of those above him, as he chases his dreams and tries to overcome obstacles.