The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1893-03-11

up the valise and hurried away.
The temporary station at which the con-
struction train had landed the contractor
"a man named Dixon-was at the end OF
the air line to Plainield, and as the labor
ers thereon had not been paid promptly
they had now for some days been on a
strike.
Mr. Dixon had come prepared to pay the
hands. After supper with his agent he
was about to start on his tramp to the vii
lage where most of the men were, when he
discovered that a prairie storm had come
up and the rain was pouring down in tor
rents.
After waiting till the storm had some
what abated the contractor started off on
his muddy march.
Meantime our interest must center In
Patrick.
A little more than half way across the
prairie there was a grove and into its
shadows the Irishman plunged just as it
was growing dark. In the grove there was
an abandoned log cabin, and for this Pat
rick made to get out of the storm.
By the time Patrick stumbled over the
grassy threshold the storm had burst on
the scene with aH its fury. The roof
leaked, but he foul a dark, dry corner, in
which he stood.
BLESS me sowl but this is the wettest
rain ever sawl Faith, l must keep the
portmanty dhry."
AS Patrick spoke he Imagined he heard
voices in an adjoining apartment of the
cabin. Hewas about to rush out when the
speaking grew louder, and he halted.
IL wonder, Bob, if there's anybody else
in here?" said one.
Not tonight there won't be. Push right
in; we'll foller," said another.
Patrick crouched down in the darkness
near the door He did not like the voices
of the men, and though full of pluck he
was not anxious to make their acquaint
ance in that place.
In a minute more he perceived that three
men had taken possession Of his late quar-
tiers in the corner. He lay still and almost
breathlsss while the talking went on.
HE won't try to come over tonight,
reckon"
Eyes. he will. He's got TO-"
But the Storm"
He'll wait till that's over"
"Mebbe he's started"
eff he has he'll turn back. Have pa
thence. Well bag him sure as shootin."
who knows how he carries iti'
"In a vslise"
"Rut wha II we do with him'"
Dead mel tell no tales"
That's safest, / guess When they find
him they'll lay the act to some Of the
strikers"
Most likely Have you got your Lantern
ready"
Eyes. But not much oil in it."
Let's fill 1t, then. hooked some oil last
night out of the boss private Office Her,
tits. Let's ell up and look round"
Thus far Patrick had listened with
breathless interest, ynile his mind teemeG
with horrid visions Of robbery and murder
J He already guessed at the contents of hi
valise, and he believed that he was tn,
man the robbers were waiting fora fac
) that troubled him greatly.
} In the darkness he succeeded in getting
out of the cabin, and then he dashed for
ward for about 200 yards, stumbling owe
logs and rushing against trees, but still
clinging to the valise.
Meantime the three robbers had prob
ably been filing the lamp of their darl
lantern. Just as he reached the edge O
the woods, ard when he felt sure they coult
not overtake him, Patrick stopped anc
looked back in the direction Of the cabin
He saw through the chinks a suddel
CLEAN, as if made by striking match. Al
instant, then binding fash, like light
. ming leaping from the earth, and crasi
like dozen thunder peals. The cabil
had leaped into the sky.
When Patrick, out Of breath, reaches