The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-08
HOW THE RAILROAD CAME TO
BARN EsTON.
lBy Frank II. s,auifer.l

towns, Barneston and Shenstone, both of
which made strenuous efforts to have the
branch line pass through their place.
Shenstone was the larger and weather.
Of the two; the business men subscribed
libearlly to the stock, and were in great
glee when the surveyors made their APP
pearance in the town.
The inhabitants of Barneston were cor
respondingy disappointed, and gave up
the fight. But, much to their amaze
ment, their village was finally selected
and Shenstone left in the lurcb ;and they
were still further amazed when they
learned that IL had been brought about
by boy to whom they had never given
much credit either for shrewdness or
tenacity.
His name was Fred Sedwick, and he
was not more than IA years old. He was
an observant fellow, however, and gen.
orally arrived at correct conclusions. An
idea had seized him, in connection with
the rivalry between the two towns 1t was
a practical idea, and he determined to
make the most of il.
A gentleman stopped at the only hotel
in the place, one hot summer afternoon.
His name was Lynch, and he was the
chief engineer OF the surveying party.
When Fred heard of his arrival he con.
cluded to call upon him, and found him
seated upon one of the porches of the
hotel.
Il wish to talk to you about the pro-
posed railroad, sir" Fred said, reniov-
ing his hat, his tone and attitude respect
full.
The surveyor was genial man, and
was especially partial to boys He glanced
into Fred's honest face and said, with an
encouraging smile:
ut is to be an interview, eh2 Well
consider me at your leisure"
81 believe it has been decided to run
the road through Shenstone," remarked
Fred, without any preliminary skirnish-
ing.
Yes" replied Mr.. Lynch. 1.-THE peo-
pie have agreed to take $50, 900 worth of
stock and have offered to present us with
lot of ground for station. They have
even promised to furnish the stone to
build it. Barneston's a sleepy old place,
you see."
"Well, may be it is" tardily assented
Fred. "That is all the more reason why
il ought to he wakened up. Won't il cost
a.great deal to take the road to Shen-
stone? In the way of deep cuts and
trestle-work, meanf
"a great deal my boy" replied the
surveyor.
"More than it would to bring it along
that ridge, yonderT' asked Fred, point
ing.
considerably more, sir"
"More than the $4,000 subscribed
by the people of Shenstone?' persisted
Fred.
"At least as much" was the answer he
received.
He was silent for minute, an in
tensely thoughtful look upon his face.
Mr.. Lynch watched him, impressed with
his appearance and his direct way of get.
ting at thing.
"There will be water station?" asked
Fred.
ooh yes; we must have water. We
can get it from the mill pond"
"By forcing it up the hill?"
eyes"
"That will cost great deal, will it
not?''
"The plant will"
"The plant?" replied Fred, a trife
puzzled.
1.-The machinery, my boy. The tanks,
stationary engine, pumps and 30 on"
There must be a man to run the en-.
CINE" suggested Fred.
Suppose there was big spring on
that hill yonder?" Fred asked depressing
his excitement. Suppose the water could
be brought here by pipes, in natural
| flow, and no plant necessary? Would
that be worth consideringf'
"Eh?" exclaimed Mr.. Lynch, sud.
denly interested, and surprised at the
boys brightness, as there such
spring.
There is" declared Fred. "And the
water can be brought here by its own
gravitation.'
"What you say is indeed worth tax.
ing into consideration" Mr.. Lynch
said, as he stared directly in front of
him. "That, and the less expensive
character of the route, would more than
offset what the Shenstone people have to
Offer"
Suppose we subscribed $4,000 here
at Barneston?" Fred asked his eyes
sparkling. "That ought to bring us the
road, don't you think?'
at would at least reopen the hearing"
admitted Mr. Lynch.
| He laughed softly over the pronouns
we and us which Fred had used. 1t was
a declaration Of citizenship; an intima-
ton that he was bound to be identified
with the progress of the town.
Can the spring be boughtf' the sur
veyor asked.
al am afraid not" replied Fred. cit
can be leased, however"
"FoT 999 years."
''Is that the way it's done?'
Eyes"
"Why don't they make it the even
thousandT
at wouldn't do to seem too grasping,"
replied Mr.. Lynch, laughing. Now,
NJ boy, as you have presented an idea