Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-12-29
A FORTUNE FOUND IN SOAP.
How a Brakeman Discovered a swedes
Hoard of Gold

Mr.. Runey, in conversation with a
number OF travellers, told the follow
ing story, which he says actually oc-
Cured in his presence while en- route
on Great Northernfr freight train near
Morris, Mimi:
"I boarded freight train at Han
cock, en- route to Breckenridge. There
were about forty hobos on board the
box cars. / arranged with three brake
men to make the rounds and see if
they couldn't be made to put up for
their ride. l acted the part of the
conductor, while the trainmen fol-
lowed out my instructions. We then
went from one car to another until
We had visited all but one. Few failed
to comply with our request, but
showed hostility and would doubtless
have taken advantage of our small
numbers had | not provided myself
with a gun, which protruded in full
view from my coat pocket.
The last car wevIsited was partially
loa'ied with lime, and between the bar
rels We found two Swedes, who han
died the American language in the
most humorous manner. Weinformed
them that they would necessarily have
to pay for their ride or get off at the
next station, to which the spokesman
replied: 'Vwe don't gat no muny.
Vwe bane com from Mort Dakota, und
work purity hard and gats no muny."
Where do you want to go?' asked
brakeman.
'Vwe want tn go to Mainopolis.'
You are headed in the wrong direc-
tion,' returned the brakeman.
Wal, vwe go tn Breckenridge und
vwe den 60 asst. Vwe no name dare
ho ba guide faller und let us ride
The brakeman was not satisfied
with the Swedes' statements that they
were moneyless, so they were searched.
While the searching was going on one
of the Swedes said again:
'Vwe don't gate nu muny. Spouse
vwe ly bout laddle ting like date?'
The brakeman being satisfied there
was no money on their persons, was
about to withdraw from the car when
| he discovered small bundle in the
corner OF the car tied up with hand
kerchief. The bundle was examined.
pair of old socks and several rags
were tightly around a piece of soap
about three by six inches in size. The
brakeman said he guessed he would
take the soap anyway, as he could
use it himself. Here the Swedes made
a robust protest, saying, No, we
don't want you tu take dote sope.'
What good is the soap to youP
asked the brakeman.
'Nwe want da sope for wash wild
befur vwe gate in Mainopolis.'
| What do you expect to do in Min
neapolis?' asked the brakeman.
| 'Vwe tank vwe vile gate leddle work
tu du dere, as ba prutty guide toun.'
| The brakeman then said he would
do the fair thing and only take half
the soap, to which they begged him
TO leave the soap. The brakeman
took the cake over his knee and broke
it through the center, and 10, to the
amazement of all, a twenty-dollar
gold piece rolled out. By this time
the Swedes were nearly wild, and their
calculations were side splitting in the
extreme.
The soap was then cut into bits and
5000 in gold coin, consisting OF twen-
ties, tens and fiives were taken out.
The Swedes had adopted this strange
method of discussing their possessions
but as misfortune had it, their novel
idea failed. 1t is needless to say that
the brakeman appropriated one ofthe
shining pieces for his own use, to the
heart-rending dismay of the sons OF
Sweden, and departed Tor the caboose,
Fargo Argus.