Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-08-13
THE MILL SPRITE.
BY CHARLES NJ HARGER.

The great stone Touring mills OF the
northwestern wheat region have llttie
about them to remind one Of the modest
structures that clatteringly turn into
-four the farmers grain in the country
districts farther east. There are no
farmers driving up to the door and un-
loading dusty sacks of yellow wnea'
while they chat with the miller. Whoie
freight trains instead, puff their NOISY
way under the massive archways INTO
the building and car after car is
emptied in twinlkling, each one DIS
charging its load through trap-door
in It's floor. Then the cars, having been
almost as quickly loaded with flour as
they were empticd Of grain, are pushed
on through another great stone arch-
way, and 60 forth to carry the proouc'
to eastern markets.
In the perthton mill there was genera
" one onlooker as the trains unloaded
who took no part in the work. ANNIE
the little crippled daughter OF the JAM
tor, limped up and down the PLATFORM
in and out of the mill, as well us her
lameness would allow. Brakemen, en-
gineers and shippers all had pleasant
word for her. 1.-THE mill-spritc,' one
engineer of poetic turn of mind had
called her; and she went by that name'
even among those who did not know
what the phrase meant
About midsummer a new superln-
tendent, Mr.. Griswold, came to the mill.
. AREN'T you afraid of being caught
in the machinery" he asked one hot
, evening, when he found Annie perchee
on a wide beam watching the wheat
;. flow downward like golden river.
mo; I've always lived in the mill
and go everywhere" she answered.
"Night and day, too9"
"Yes, it's prettier at night" she an
: swered, simply; and the superintendent
l. whose heart sometimes swelled with I'D
= miration when the great structure wa
10 lighted with electricity, agreed will
u her.
l. He stopped moment to watch tn
is swinging lever which, at a pull from al
" assistants hand, pushed back the heav,
re cover to the deep bin, and allowed car
II load Of new wheat, fresh from tn
10 prairies, to flow like torrent into tn
t. receptacle.
""Twould be death to be under tina
OF shower" Mr.. Griswold said, half to hin
ly self, and passed on.
r A few evenings afterward, when sh
90 was left alone by her father In the jan
Of tors nest-like quarters in the front {
G. the mill, Annie's thoughts called U
Ie this remark Of the superintendent
" about the stream Of wheat. Just the
e. she heard low, rumbling sound In II
nd distance. Another train OF wheat VI
Cd coming. 1t would be unloaded IN u
m. night. She started for the door to 8
nv 1t roll past, and glide out along da
Nv wall toward the tracks.
n. Just before she came to q corner $
II; heard low voices from around the t'll
Two men were whispering hoarsely.
1.-THE last night of the month alwa
brings it, you know" one said
"Yes, but how can we get III !
,,,y watch will be on"
le' THAT'S all right. I've been study
icy the thing, an the superintendent
aus here alone tonight. The Office men
sick"
TO- The roar Of the train was conf
nearer, and the men raised their voic
"IIe may show fight an ring in
y alarm" said the second speaker
mo danger was the reply 1t ca
so sharply that it seemed to be hiss
in the others ear. ut won't take I'M
than a minute to settle him. Well
est. wait till tn train is in, an"
r rla "Nhir. whizz came the noisy frelg
and The engine threw out millions OF spa
,, our as it tugged up the incline, and
our sounds but It's roar were drown
l3lpYy Nothing was dstinguishable until
III. long line of laden cars had disappea
beneath the black arch in the winf
the mill, and then Annie heard again
o. Don't get scared now--it'll work
" right" Then the voices ceased.
Presently she peeped anxiot
around the corner. Nothing was
" ible now but the silent, dark walls, v
Mt" CLEANS of light coming through
red scores Of windows.
rup These men were going to rob
,ct. (,riswold She must go and warn /
and But whatever they meant to do, tive
cur happen when the train was in
no already it had come to a standstil
gist the dump platform.
Annie seized her. bonnet, to pro
her brown hair from the flying d
and not daring to go outside and
ray. tempt to climb the long railway tr'
uar- in the darkness, turned through 81
, it. door into the depths Of the mill
hair started for the superintendent Of
all Mr.. Griswold was not there.
doors of the safe in which the m'
was kept were closed and she refie
week that the small night force was ?
New ably assisting in the unusual task o
milv loading the train at that hour.
,ho,d Out of the Office she hurried, and
''. w., ing the upper floor because she X
ncln its windings better, and there were
er belts and shafts. she turned in
direction Of the great bins. Anc
fnv roar told Of a second cars disposal
W. she caught her breath a little as
trembled lest she should be too late
&.,...J m oorpar In