The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-06-10
0pE BRAVE Act.
by W. II. S. ATKINSON.

Steamville was just large railroad town
in the West. Deduct the shops and yards
of the Grand Transcontinental and New
Orleans and Idaho Railways, with their
necessary adjuncts, from Steamville, and
nothing remained. Indeed, at the time Of
which we are writing very little did remain
in q business way-for great strike was in
progress.
The shop doors were closed on cold
FORCES, silent hammers and deserted bench
es; the round-houses were filed with dead
locomotives; no freight trains moved in or
opt of the yards or depots. Altogether,
Steamville, for the time being, i'll deserved
its name.
1t is not necessary for us to inquire into
the causes which led up to the strike.
Whether real or imaginary, number of the
Grand Transcontinental employees declared
they had grievances which must be adj
justed; so the District Assembly X of l..
ordered out all the freight trainmen of the
Grand Transcontinental Railway, together
with several of its tributary lines. This,
with all subsequent orders emanating from
the District Assembly, was signed John
HEADPoRD, Master Workman"
General Superintendent Mansel sat alone
In his private Office, mt Steamvnle head
quarters. His duties had altered somewhat
his enerSies to bringing about the safe and
speedy running of trains, he now divided
his time between telegraphing the President
of the road, in Chicago, and interviewing
detectives. He was worried a good deal.
The fact was, he wished to do the right
thing by the men, and at the same time he
was not the man, at this critical time, to
fail the directors, who trusted him i'm
plicitly.
One mana man he had never seen
Superintendent Mansel cordially disliked,
and that was none other than John Head
ford, the Master Workman whose name APP
peared at the foot of all the District AS
sembly documents. 1t is hardly surprising,
perhaps, that the Superintendent (who was
a good hearted, whole-souled man in the
main) bore no great love to any labor or
CARNATIONS. The Knights of Labor, Dis
trict Assembly POOP, with its Master Work
man, he absolutely disliked. LOT of
damned scoundrelly fire-bugs and train
wreckers, those labor agitators and wire
pullers," he would say; trying to make
questionable points for the workingmen,
and few dollars for themselves at the
same time. There were all our boys work.
ing away and we'll satisfied with everything
until along came these knights of Labor
with their master workmen, and
secretaries, and every other kind of
grand high monkey work. I'd just
like to meet this fellow Headford,
who is so fresh with his general orders.
Nineteen TO one he's a cowardly sneak,
ashamed to show his face III Steamville,
Judging from the way he hides himself in
his own town all the time. If / ever get
near enough to him I'll tell him what /
think of him and his loafing crew, sure as
my name is Tom Mansel." At the end of
which, or similar remarks, the General Su-
perintendent would stretch himself out to
the full length of his seventy-three inches.
1t was 2:15 p. IN. when the General Super
intendent sauntered into his Office and took
his seat with an air of relief.
Once more No. IA, the fast express carry
ing the mails for the far West, had been
started out of Steamville without any mis-
hap. So far the strikers had interfered with
none but freight traffic; but there was no
telling when the more reckless of their
number might take upon themselves to i'm
pede the progress of passenger trains.
Therefore the officers always felt better as
each succeeding train carrying passengers
departed in safety from Steamville, where
the strikers were more numerous than at
any other point along the line.
The Superintendent had just lighted his
cigar when man entered the Office, closing
and locking the door behind him. He was
detective in the employ of the railroad
company.
Number Ia has just left, Mr.. Mansel.
Where is her first stop"
She will stop for water at Prairie Flower,
fifty miles west of here. Why?"
THAT train will be wrecked at Running
Creek, which is, / understand, ten miles
this side of Prairie Flower. i have Just
learned that gang of men went down on
a hand-car this morning with tools, to
loosen all the bolts and fastenings of the
trestle over the creek. I'm afraid it's too
late to prevent fearful accident"
"But there is a telegraph station two
miles this side of the creek, 4" said the
Superintendent; 81 will send message and
have the operator flag Number II. There
is plenty Of time; she is not due TO pass that
telegraph cabin until 1925. 1t is now
Just 2:25."
at is too late, MIR. Mansel, said the de-
tective. "The arrangement was made TO
cut the wires Immediately after the de-
par.ure of Number ii from Steamville
But have your operator try what he can do. {"
The operator was instructed TO call all the
Offices between Steamville and Prairie
Flower. In a few moments he reported
that he could obtain no respone.
"Good Cod" exclaimed the excited SUI
perintendent; "there is only one chance to
save that train, but I'll take it."
Rushing down to the yard he found the
engine which had brought in Number IL
from the east. II was the only loco
motive which had steam up, and the fire.
man was already commencing to rake out
her fires.
@Hold on" shouted the Superintendent
10 the fireman. fire up, for Gods sake.
Do rs 1 tell you-it's life or doath-nnd
I'll pay you five hundred dollars in cash to-
night"
TO the excited Superintendent every mo-