Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-05-04


as he lighted his pipe. And as we have
nome in our comrnissary wagon, suppose
I'VE drink health to the new departure"
Now began stirring times. Besides the
usual spring sowing the people were
busy all the time discussing the new
features of their social and political life
to come. 1t was amazing how earnestly
they entered into ell the plans of Eric
and Iklapel and with what implicit con-
fidence they predicted the great future
of the city. Nothing now was too new
or too vast to deter them. They were
eager to enter upon the new era.
Eric had selected his board of direct
ors with great care, and day after day
they detained the wagon rain until
their plans were perfect. More tsan
month elapsed before Eric could say,
I'VE are ready to proceed but finally
the day came.
Everything was completed. Three of
the wagons were secretly loaded with
gold by night and stood ready to depart.
Pierce was to convert the metal into
currency and act as financial agent in
the great operations to follow. Supplies
of all sorts in immense quantities were
to be bought-an electric light plant,
mining and milling machinery, horses,
fine cattle and other stock, farming i'm
plements, looms. clocks-cverything, in
fact, that civilization could furnish from
its plenteous store was to be procured
and brought to them.
The task was great, but Pierce felt
his blood glow as he thought Of it. As
the greatest buyer upon earth, the rep
resentative Of unheard of wealth. he
would fairly rival Monte Cristo, if lie
did not eclipse him. and in the building
of a railroad across the desert. one of
the first enterprises to be launched, he
saw most interesting and exciting pro-
ject, which alone was worthy of any
man. What more noble ambition could
he ever have desired than This e1uinently
proud one: And now they were ready.
Each step in the great undertaking care
fully considered and planned, nothing
remained but to act.
Leila stood on the threshold as the line
of wagons filed past, with drivers and
escorts waving their hats III farewell sa-
lute5; Eric and Pierce i'll the rear, ex-
changing last words Of caution and adj
vice. When they reached the house
Eric dismounted and grasped Pierces
hand, with moist eyes;
Now, goodby, Harold. God bless
you, Be careful and remember you
hold lis all in your hand.
Don't worry, my dear boy. You'll
hear from me very soon. and let me tell
you he added, with an effort at face
tiousnees, there will be lot of news
paper men here inside of ten days, mark
my words, and they Will give you some
thing to bother al out And besides
they'll establish d mail service for you,
depend upon il. Goodby, goodby."
He mounted and galloped away. Eric
led his wife to the h0usetop. They could
see the train wind along the river until
it disappeared behind the canyons out
reaching spurs, and then she turned to
him, with u great. hopeful look i'll her
eyes, and kissed his lips. Together they
stood there, the morning breaking rich
ly and warmly over the red cliffs, when
Iklapcl emerged from below and stood
beside them. His ewes were full of a
great fire rs lie Eazed down the CANYON
where the dust still rose above the trail Of
the wagons. Then he turned toward the
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