The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1897-07-24
GRAND MARAIs, MINNESOTA, 4,
again jumped into the car. They did
so h1rf Wilkins remarked. -.

again jumped into the car. They did
SO, but Wilkins remarked:
'The brakeman told us to get off,
eyes, but he meant to get in again
when he said Remember, I saw you get
off, Now I'll wedge this door shut,
and we'll have peace till morning, you
bet! ~ -
Morning found them side-tracked in
the Quaker City. Jim took his party
to the outskirts of the town. where
stood a deserted house in which aFnum-
Der of men were evidently having a
jollification. Drawing near, they saw
gentlemanly six-footer advancing to-
and one black one, both lefts. j The
sleeves of his coat did not come much
below his elbows, and the tails only
reached his waist-band.
*'The Flying Sword" exclaimed Jim,
as the man unbuttoned his coat, put
one hand into the upper part of the
left sleeve and drew out tin trowel,
over three feet long, remarking:
Il still carry the tomahawk."
/ Where did he have that trowel?"
Van managed to whisper to Jim.
"Oh, the handle was up his sleeve,
and the tip in his pocket. 1t is not
a trowel, you know, only guy. Come
in and meet the boys. This we'll
dressed chap is Diamond Kit,' that
short one is Billy the Bat; yonder come
Duty and Missouri Kid. Oh, we're all
here for reunion-but it's the first
we've had north of Lexington. That's
our pet place.
After a general handshaking the
party broke up into groups, Wilkins
and Kit reclining on the floor smoking
cigarettes.
AS he could not then talk with Will
kins Van proceeded to satisfy his curl
osity by questioning the one known as
missouri Kid"
The Flying Sword? Oh, he got the
name by carrying that tin trowel. He
Will go and ask for work, telling the
boss that he lays brick, not by the hun
| dred a day but by the acre. If you
doubt me look at my trowel' The
righteousness of his ways usually gets
him job, too. He is very fair brick
| layer, but of course not so good as
| Diamond Kit, who is considered the
| best In the United States.'
How about our hobo stew" now
chlmed in Wilkins voice.
How much can we raise?'' was
| Kits practical supplementary remark.
The sum of two dollars was collect
7ed,9Aie Ia which Kit and wilkins de-
parted to do the marketing.
Soon after they returned with vari-
GUS bundles, five-gallon tin sausage
| can and an empty tobacco can for
each person present.
Van was interested, and pressed for
ward to see what was going on.
While Kit made the stew he sent
some OF the boys out for empty cans.
he ordered the solder removed from
them, and that they be f1attened out
and washed.
Each man had tomato can, and
small portion of ground coffee with
"D'ch ne made his own drink. army
style, and this was drunk with con-
densed milk. Slices of steak were fried
on the pieces of tin which they had fiat
tened, and soon the first course was
eaten, amid much jesting and laugh
ter, Tor all hoboes are apt to be jovial
When certain of one full meal in a day.
After the coffee was drunk the cans
were filled up with the rich. sayorv
stew.
AS dusk came on the men reclined
about the floor, telling their expert
ences. Van determined 20 try to in
fiuence Wilkins into telling the truth
as he was interested in, the man. who
seemed above his fellows, 50 sat by his
side and watched him stealthily while
Jim told of his life, how he had start
ed cut from necessity, and so fallen in
love with the wild freedom that he
could rot bear to give it up.
Scarcely had he ceased when all were
surprised to hear "Wilkins the Silent"
saying:
Il was born and raised in New York
city. While yet young man learned
locomotive engineering, and for years
had freight. That paid me about
one hundred and forty dollars a month.
and I saved my money. When I was
,twenty-eight I married. My wife hal
been one of large family and I meant
her never to be lonesome nor unhappy.
I bought nice house and furnished Il
costly, deciding it to her. That used
up all had saved; but had a good
run, was considered one of the best
men on the road, and everything went
smoothly for year. was home every
second night and my wife was content
ed. ,a,. -..s ~
Zone day I had a sudden order to
trade engines when I met a certain
train, as that engineers wife was sick
and he wished tc return home. never
tired of my wife and loved to be with
her, so was glad to go to her sooner
than had expected g. a.
Here he paused, and here all looked
at him in surprise, particularly Jim.
who muttered:
by God, he is telling the truth