Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1894-07-07

The express was always a heavy one
and on the schedule was not called
upon to stop at Columbia. The BOYS
knew this, and on the instant that a
freight preceding the express had
pulled out Of the way they set to
work.
Only five minutes intervened,. but
they were experts at putting down tor
pedoes, and in three minutes time
every torpedo collected had been
placed on two parallel rails. Then the
sharp whistle OF the express was heard
in the distance, and on it came with
rush and roar
The boys scattered and with bated
breath awaited developments.
They came the next instant.
With reports like the explosion of
musketry, and if anything louder, the
torpedoes went off in quick success
sion and the promenaders first halted
in amazement and then took to their
heels in alright. They thought the
noise would cease, but instead it
seemed to increase. Two hundred tor
pedoes stretch out over considerable
distance, and they were laid for the
length of two squares
People came running down the
streets from the back highways in
quiring the cause, and it appeared as
If the town was on its feet, or, figura-
lively speaking, on its head.
And the engineer and passengers on
the train, what of them? To the boys
they indeed furnished surprise that
was unlocked for
The engineer, with hair on end, was
trying oil he could to bring his train
to a standstill, but it was impossible
to do SO before the last torpedo had
exploded; the passengers frightened
almost into frenzy, we're climbing
back over the seats, out onto the plat
form and gesticulating wildly from
! the windows
At last the train halted and oil gath
cred around, and, as the train dis
patcher simply motioned the engineer
to go ahead, great laugh went up and
the passengc were enlightened to
the fact that this was the glorious
Fourth. and they, too, joined in tho
uIlATlty.
As the train disappeared around the
western corner Of the street paral-
leled to the railroad and the people of
the town gathered in groups to dis
cuss the strange occurrence, the con-
spirators disappeared from the scene
and glided toward one of the engine
houses Of the local fire department.
hor
All of q sudden a great shout went
up from every part of the town ard
all eyes we're turned toward the west
ern section of the town. 1t appeared
as If the town was to be destroyed by
fire and that mighty confagration
was under way.
The sky was blood red and mighty
column of smoke was ascending on
high. The boys had done their work
we'll. scattering the red powder over a
large area and leaving the most daring
boy of the crowd to set the mass off,
Soon the fire bells we're tolling and
the exciting jingle Of the fre appar-
atus denoted a race was on between
the different companies who were de-
slrous of securing places of vantage
from which to fight the supposed con-
fiagration.
In this race it is needless to say the
members Of the ''Our Boys" were in
dulglng to their hearts content. They
all swore allegiance to one company,
the Vigilant, and were head and from,
OF the rush with the hose reel of tha,
engine.
At the end Of the street the cause OF
the light was discovered, and again the
tongues OF the citizens were set wax-
elng, and the younger generation oi
young men voted the days celebration
great success. Even the solitary pa
per of the town, while taking the con
spirators to task the following day for
the fright they had given the towns.
people, could not but commend the
! plan to- its originality and startling
effectiveness
Among the boys ot the town the
story leaked out, and soon the detail.
OF the celebration were known to all
! To say that the ''Our Boys" Club tool
, a boom but family expresses it. Every
: boy IN town put forward his name =.
an applicant for membership, bu,
: .e1clusiveness was desired" and .h<
{ tone Of the club remained at its frs:
great height ior several years there.
after.