The record-union., 1898-08-29

guns to see that no passenger gets OH.
Even if we could exchange trains there
the Board of Health of New Orleans
have forbidden anyone to come into
New Orleans from any point west Of
Mobile"
But, Tom, we would not be coming
from any point-we would be simply
STEPPING from one train to another"
THAT looks reasonable, Alice, but it
is not the law. I have some little
knowledge of such matters, and | as
sure you as a lawyer that any point
west of Mobile means any point, VINE
Their it be al village, a crossroads or the
place where the two trains meet. A
point, my dear, as automatically and
therefore legally defined, has position
without magnitude. Besides, should
we survive the shotguns of Grand Bay,
we could not get off at New Orleans"
Then" said Alice, with decision, I'VE
will get the conductor to smuggle us
into the down train, and we can get OF
at Pass Christian, where 1 can stay
with Bessie, who has been wanting me
ever so long,
4 am sorry to say" replied Tom,
that Pass Christian and indeed all the
coast place have already quarantined
against New Orlens, and they will not
let us get off,"
What am 1 to do?" SAID Alice. Here
am alone, without a chaperon, and
every door closed against me! Oh! Tom,
/ know We will go right on through
Mobile and get off at Evergreen, where
Cousin Julia lives. That is the very
idea. Why didn't I think of that at
first? 1t is too bad that I will miss the
wedding, but I suppose it can't be
helped. Why, Tom, what is the mat
ter? Why do you look so serious?'
well, Alice, the truth is that Ever
green has quarantined against New
Orleans. and so have all the towns and
villages from one end Of the State to
the other. The people are all out with
shotguns as though they were hunting
rabbits, and there is no spot, so far as
I can see, where we can rest our
heads"
And do you stand there, Tom, and
take it as quietly as that? Have you
no consideration for me? There may
be some solution for this terrible stu
alton"
"Unhappily, Alice, see no solution.
L
trainmen must leave the train at
detention camp just this side OF mobile
and another crew must take the train
to the city, and that we must get OH at
the detention camp. 1t viii be aWk-
ward, I know, but we will try to make
you comfortable, and by the time the
down train comes in the morning L
NAV get a dispatch from the New Or
leans board permitting US under the
circums stances to return without fur-
Their detention"
ooh. Tom, will I have to stay in that
dreadful place all night. 1t is abso-
lutely horrid. I wonder what kind OF
hotel it is, and if the matron is a nice
old woman"
The train stopped at the detention
camp and the train hands with the
two Pullman passengers disembarked,
all the other passengers who were not
bound through to Northern points hay
ing already made their escape.
The camp consisted of a solitary tent.
There had been no time to fit up proper
quarters 1t was in the lovely pine
woods, with not habitation in sight,
except an humble log cabin, half-mile
to the north and another a mile to the
west.
Alice's trunks were put off. She sat
upon one and Tom sat upon another,
and they looked at each other In silence.
The situation was complicated.
The guard was very polite and ex-
pressed earnest regret that no more
suitable arrangements had been made.
Nothing better could be done than for
III he
could shift for themselves. Their cook
ing utensils had not yet come and they
could set no table until tomorrow
Perhaps the lady might get accommo-
dations at one Of the neighboring cot
tages.
"Oh, you, Tom, let us walk over to
that house." said Alice, pointing to the
north, and then you can send your
Dispatch
The guard informed him that an OPP
orator was at the camp and that mes
sages could be sent.
Tom and Alice set off along the dusty
wagon road to the northern cottage
When they had got half way a grim
countryman with battered hat and in
his shirt sleeves stepped from the shade
of a mulberry and said:
Halt! You can't come along this
road! Get back as quick as you cant"
He raised a shotgun and kept it at
ready.
Tom and Alice beat hasty retreat.
IT think" said Tom, sadly, that we
had better try that other house"
They walked rapidly westward until
they reached the gate Of the other cot
tage.
Hi. there!" shouted an old man
from the porch. "Jist stop outen the
yard. If you come from yon camp you
can't get in here. We are full"
An old woman came out and when
she saw the visitors screamed back into
the house: Johnnie, unloose the dog
and bring me the old shotgun"
Tom and Alice again retreated. They
We're in the clutches of relentless fate
and shut out from an inhospitable
world. Without waiting for the deep
mouthed baying Of the faithful watch
dog or the report of firearms, they
wendell their way back to the camp
and Alice sat on one trunk and Tom
sat on another. They looked at each
other.
tom, what is to be done?"
Alice, 1 have an idea
Tom then went over Alice's trunk
and whispered something in her ear
Then Alice whispered something into
Toms ear. And then Tom went off
to find the operator. He sent off sew
eral kilograms and when he returned
found Alice in deep meditation.
1T is DONE" said Tom. Il have sent
message to your aunt. Here it is"
Alice read: Alice and I are here
alone. only one tent. What is to be
done?" Another message was to a
friend of Toms in Mobile, and 1t was