The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-03-14

ht OnaurOn, the supply store OF the
main contractor, huge, roughly
built shed stood at side track about
forty rods from the main street of the
town. Here / was accustomed to or
der supplies and get drafts for money
from the bookkeeper from time to
time.
That morning, after finishing my
business with the supply department.,
/ went TO the bookkeeper to procure
draft. A crowd of railroad laborers
were waiting before his window to get
their time checks cashed, or secure
passes to go up or down the road. /
better dressed than the others, but
thought nothing of the circumstance.
awaited my turn at the window,
and handed the bookkeeper slip Of
paper on which was written, -Four
thousand three hundred and forty
seven dollars and fifty cents, Pay Roll
Rodney 81 Curtis" He made me
draft for the amount named, folded it
carelessly, thrust it through the win
dow, and took the receipt which had
just written. and then turned to the
next man.
AS left the store l passed the two
men whom l had noticed at the win
dow, and it struck me, upon q more
attentive view, that they we're rather
sharpers than workingmen, although
had seen them cash two time checks,
and get passes. for some point up the
road. The construction train did not
leave until o'clock that afternoon,
and lounged upon the shady stoop of
the Chadron house watching the pass
ers by and chatting with the landlord,
who was an old acquaintance of mine
when | lived in the east | had a
pleasant dinner with him, and after
the meal was finished, l walked across
the square to Lake & Haley's, bank at
the corner of the two principal streets
Of the town, where cashed the draft.
The bills which l received / stuffed
into various side pockets of my
clothes, and slowed a sack of silver
change into a small leather 'grip"
which carried in my hand.
heard a locomotive whistle and,
turning, walked quickly out of the
bank. As / reached the sidewalk,
was startled to see the two men who
had before attracted my notice step
rather hastily away from the sidewalk
in front of the bank windows, and
walk across the street.
/ was satisfied that they had watch
ed me as cashed my draft. My sus-
picions were thoroughly aroused by
this circumstance, and when, an hour
later, / stepped into the caboose of the
construction train, and discovered the
men lounging upon two cracker bar
rels smoking their pipes, it did not
need their evident avoidance of the
direct stare l gave them, the moment
l entered, to convince mo that they
were after me.
l now heartily berated myself for
not having exercised greater caution
while at C. dron. / should have
waited until l could see the bookkeep-
er alone before obtained my check;
and should have had my cash made
up by the clerk at the bank, and
brought to my room at the hotel, as
might easily have been done. But it
is easy enough, after you have done
a foolish thing, to think how much
better you might have managed it.
While | sat upon one Of the hand
benches in the caboose, with my
grip" lying beneath the seat, l con-
sidered how | should dodge the two
fellows at Crawford. There was no
danger that should be robbed on the
train, as there were at least twenty
passengers on board. Presently one
of the men sauntered up to my seat,
sat down by me, and began to talk.
''See2" said he. You're with Rod
ney an Curtis, amt yeh, one O their
foremen2"
l answered carelessly that I was in
their employment.
paul m Is goin' up the road look
in fur rock job. We're strikers.
Could we hire us, dye think9'
Certainly" said l. 1--WE need more
men badly, especially good strikers.
We will give you two dollars day,
and you can work part Of the night
shift, if you like"
Then, as unconcernedly as | could,
| went on to tell him about our work,
and direct him how to find our head
quarters. | told him Ishould leave
Crawford after breakfast the next
morning on horseback, and that he
and his partner could undoubtedly
find freight wagon there on which
to take passage for our camp.
After some further conversation
with the mana young loo king, wiry,
dark faced fellow-he went over to
talk to his ''pard," and no doubt they
congratulated themselves on his sue
cess in throwing me off my guard.
On my arrival at Crawford went
to the company's tent, where food and
other supplies brought on the con-
struction trains were stored until they
could be shipped forward by wagon
to points where our forces were at
work There l explained the situation
to the two clerks In charge of the tent,
and said that wished to spend the
night with them.
I was armed with a good ''six
shooter" and the clerks had each
light Winchester rifle. They said we
could guard the money without
trouble that night, and it was ar
ranged that l should start for the
grading camp at 3 o'clock the next
morning. By leaving at so early an
hour / believed that l could battle