Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-08-05
Years before Old Daniel had used ia,

Years before Old Daniel had used far
more liquor than was good for him,
and he was less able now to withstand
temptation than he had been in his
younger manhood. For the first time
in her life Meg began to know what a
real headache meant. The mems teas
ing and the shame she felt in wearing
mean frocks was nothing to this. Twice
her grandfather had staggered home
at night SO intoxicated that she bad to
help him to bed. The rough fellows
had first piled him with drink, for a
lark. He needed little urging after that
| first occasion.
"Gran'daddy," she told him, the Mon
day morning following the old mans
second escapade, "gran' daddy, if the
super or one of the inspectors should
come up the mountain an ketch you
hathaway, do you know what would
happen?"
eyes, Meg, I know what would hap
pen," replied the old man, miserably.
"You'd lose your job, that's what
would happen" pursued Meg, severely;
IAN Bill Thomas, an Andy Mcguire,
an them other fellers would lose theirn,
an sarve 'em right" with vicious en-
phasis in this last; "but what'd we do ~
And poor Old Daniel promised never
to touch the stuff when it was offered
him again. But Meg feared for him
and for herself.
Toward the end of that week she
| became suspicious. Two of the worst
of the woodmen came over to the juno
ton and held long conversation with
Mcguire, the conductor of the tie train,
and Bill Thomas. When the loaded
fats had gone she overheard one of
the choppers say to his mate:
Jack, did we hear that? Well have
regular howl Sunday. Andy prom
Used ter bring up some of tn rale stuff"
II 'eard 'im," said the other. mo
more O. this blue lightnin' tn peddler
brings us. I'm sick of it."
"Oh, DEAR" thought Meg, sitting ON
heap of ties outside the cabin, what
ever shall I do? l know gran daddy
III get the nasty stuff again-surel
They amt no business to bring rum up
here, an I'll just tell 'em So"
But she knew it would be waste of
words to take Mcguire and his crew
TO task, and before Sunday morning she
bad formed another and more daring
plan.
The long train of empty flats, with
the caboose on the end, was shunted
on to the branch road about ten o'clock
that forenoon. The brakes were set
at either end, and the crew left the
train and walked up the track. Meg
knew where they were going. They
were going to meet their friends from
the camp.
'Now's my chance" thought the
child, and she darted into the caboose
which Mcguire had left unlocked. IF
he's brought rum, I'm going to smash
the Jug" she muttered, setting her
white teeth hard. But no jug, or
other receptacle which might contain
the liquid poison, was in sight.
TITS in the locker" she thought.
But that was locked. However, Meg
determined to get at the stuff. She
caught down an ak from the wall, and
quickly sprung the lid of the chest.
Sure enough, a straw-covered jug and
a dozen bottles met her gaze! Without
a moment of hesitancy the girl carried
the jug outside and returned for the
case of bottles. AS she approached the
door of the caboose with her burden,
she heard voices. The men were re-
turning. She reached the platform
with bound. The train men, with a
crowd of a dozen or more choppers,
were at hand.
Bring it out, Andy!" cried Bill
Thomas, who evidently had already
sampled the contents of the locker.
Boys, it'll be treat for you"
At that moment they caught sight of
the girl.
Hey! what you doin' up there,
Bricktop?" demanded Mcguire, hurry
ing forward. Then he saw the jug
sitting between the rails and the case
of bottles in the girls hands. He
sprang forward with an oath.
drop that" he yelled, as he sprang
up the steps.
II have" she told him, calmly, and
sent the bottles crashing down upon
the jug.
You little spitfire!" he shouted, seiz-
ing her by the shoulders, while the
others stood aghast. What have you
been doin'?"
I've just split yer fun for We to-
day, Mr.. Andy Maguire!" she replied,
with satisfaction. Every one of ems
busted, an I'm glad of it. So now you
can let go of my arm-you hurt"
"I'll hurt you worse than this!"
growled the angry man, pitching her
off the steps.
He ran back into the caboose and saw
what she had done. .. .
"You little wretch!" he exclaimed,
from the car platform. you'll rue
this. Boys, shes split every DROP"
A groan rose from the thirsty men.
''But you'll pay for this, MISS" de-
clared Mcguire, shaking his fist at her.
That's burglary. that's what Dustin
that locker is! I'll send you down to
| A. ~, ;nS .lox