Connecticut western news., 1883-10-31
Ichab0d Turner's Mission.
BY KATE ". HAMILTON.

OIOOk6u! OIOOh0u! OIOOhOu IdIS out the sharp, peculiar, dissonant voice, and the tall, thin figure in seedy gar ments and Tapping hat swayed to and fro on the stump that had been selected for rostrum. ssAll things have gone crooked in this world, and I've come to set 'em straight-to undo the snarls, give the power where it belongs and put men in their places. Oh-h-h my friends The world is topsy-turvy; the tops at the bottom and the bottoms at the top, and I've come to turn things right eend up."
 The six o'clock whistle had sounded the close of another days work at the shops, and the men, pouring out from the various smoke-stained archways, paused to listen. The speakers excite ment seemed to deepen as his audience increased. The keen eyes under the old hat darted lightning like glanees here and there; he gesticulated wildly and his voice rose to a still higher pitch. : -xktola-h--hz --Flo<sle k. ss E, ra Ichabod Turner; and the mission I'm sent on is to mend all crookedness and turn things right eend up p
 The men seemed to find grim pleas ure in the harangue. They laughed as they exchanged comments.
 Jim Barclay, sauntering down the long walk, stopped beside 8 bright young girl who had paused for moment on the outer edge of the crowd.
 eff that fellow would begin his work by altering the days and nights little, or my means of enjoying them, I'd be obliged to him, !" he laughed.
 The girl turned with little start of surprise and pleasure.
 'sWhy. Jim !" Then glance at his lunch basket brought the swift question: sYou're not going out tonight {? It's not your rum"
 'I must make it though, they say. It's an extra train, and they are short of men, somehow--off or disabled. I feel considerably disabled myself 9
 You were out last night ?''
 "And'al the night before and nearly all yesterday. I didn't get in to-day until afternoon, and was scarcely set tied into comfortable sleep before I was called. I'm not fit to go, that's a fact. Don't worry, Dell"
 He broke off his sentence abruptly as he saw the shadow of anxiety on his companion's fair face. "It doesn't hap pen so often. They're short, you see. ''
 "It oughtn't to happen at all, insisted Dell, indignantly. ''I wouldn't go."
 "Then my head would come off al short notice, laughed Jim. ''We can't afford that.''
 Pretty Dell flushed rosily. She knew So well what that meant There was { little house talked over and arranged tc every detail of its simple furnishing, fol which they two were planning when Jin should obtain his hoped-for promotion
 s'No, I won't insure any necks to night, but I'll take the risk of crushing few other peoples heads rather thar the certainty of losing my own, 9 laughed Jim. "Itas pity that fellow who is SC sure of his mission couldn't turn m, brains right side up; they feel crooked enough. But don't worry, Dell, 2 he re peated hurriedly.
 The crowd began to thin. Hungry men, swinging their empty dinner-pails, presently found the prospect of supper more alluring than the strangers prom. ised millennium. Jim looked at his watch, and found he had not even five minutes to spare for part of the home. ward walk with Dell. He parted from her with reluctant good-by, and she walked away alone. She had gone but 8 few steps, however, when she turned and looked back.
 'sYouu be careful, Jim Don't le, adything happen.
 ssWhy, Dell P He laughed. hal touched, half wondering. q oughtn' to have talked such nonsense. Don, be uneasy"
 She smiled in answer, and the cloue slowly faded from her face as she walked on.
 Jim had some need of help as tn, evening wore on. though he but, diml, realized it. Getting everything in readi ness for starting was harder work thai usual There was dull pain in hi, eyes and throbbing in his temples.
 ssThis trips rather rough on you Jim Y remarked 8 fireman, half aues
 ioninely, half conamisaratingly.