The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-07-01

first thing you know. DO your best now.
We've got an extra Pullman and car
load of greenhorns to haul up to Butte
this night of all others, and I'm betting
it's showing in the mountains now"
SO saying, the engineer turned and
gazed anxiously westward, where even
the stars seemed blotted from sight,
then quickly whirled about and bent
his ear
Coming at last" he muttered
THAT'S old Coyotes yelp for the cross
roads I'D little wind for whis-
Ting has she left either. No wonder No
3's late, with nothing better than that
limping carcass to drag it, She ought
to be in the boneyard-ought to "a been
there a year ago. But here's the beau
ty" said he to himself, as he turned
and laid loving hand on the massive
driving rod of the huge machine.
Lively, Sout," he added. "Three's
coming"
Scut was descending from the cab as
a cat comes down tree backward.
"Whst'n ell they takin recruits to
Ransom for now?" he asked. "The
war 8 over.
"It's to fill the gaps made when the
war wasn't over, young man, and
mighty hard they'll find it to fill some
of 'em too. Jim Strang, that was killed
at Cave Springs, was corporal with me
In Bates troop eight years ago, and
there wasn't better sergeant in all the
cavalry. Lo loves a shining mark, or
eusn t,,A
Would You go back to soldierin II
you could, Mr.. Longp" asked the fire.
man, fitting up his long necked can as
he thrust the nozzle deep in between
the spokes Of a massive driver.
ZIP Give me back the legs had be-
fore the Sioux made sieve Of my skin,
and il isn't the rail I'd be riding, but
the best sorrel in Billy Rays troop, and
with the best Office in it, and that's
first sergeant.
Its takin chances to be in the oaval-
~ these days." said he Of the oil can,
listening to the low, faraway rumble
of the coming train. "Do you see her
headlight YETI"
"She isn't through the cut" was
Longs answer. "As to taking chances
they've done nothing but take chances
In that regiment ever since the war;
yet there isn't a day of our lives we
don't take chances, and bigger chances,
right here on this mountain division. 1"
tall young fellow IN travelling cap
and ulster had come out from the lunch.
room and was strolling over toward the
kissing engine. He stopped and listened
as Long spoke, then seemed to be pom
dering over the words and looking to
the engine man for explanation.
! How do you meant" asked Scut,
pausing in his work and looking up.
1--WE haven't had hold up on the
road for over year.
Neither have we had a head ON ool.
lision, nor spreading rails, nor plunge
frWn trestle, but they are only three
of the things likely to occur any min,
ute, especially when trains are running
bel ma as we are tonight-all ON &C
cou2t of that one eyed coyote thst's
peeping at you down yonder."
II was the headlight of No. 8, just
dawning on the view at Mile End Cross
ing, to which the engineer referred.
watch how slowly she comes, hi
added 1.-THE old maid is about worn
out Eers's the girl that can shake thai
train up grade AZ though twas made o.
bandboxes. I'll let you we make Butte
by o'clock.
"I'll bet you don't, if you'll let mt
In" was the cool interjection of tn,
young man ulster clad; "for Butte's my
objective point"
"What do you know about it, o.
about railroading?" asked Long suspi
oiously.
"As much as you did when you qui
soldering, and no more, wherein W,
have much in common, Mr.. Long, bu
here's where the difference comes in
You quit soldering to take to the rail
road; quit the road to take to soldier
ing"
"Oh, see. Then, you're an officer?'
queried Long, his accustomed lips fran
ing the little word "sir' and almos
resenting his enforced omission of tn
once familiar monosyllable. Long SAT-
"sir" to no one under the division su
perintendent now.
81? Devil bit, T." was the Laughing
answer. I'm not even a lance-no
even a recruit. Man, haven't signe
my papers yet"
"Then take FOOLS advice and don
sign them," interposed Long. "You'v
got no call to go soldering. Such a
you come in only when it's whisky o
women or cards. "
Say it's all three if you like" wa
the half laughing answer. 81 heard O
you as one of the old oavalrymen at tn
barracks yonder. and the stranger nod
ded carelessly over his shoulder in tn
direction Of the post, established Ion
years before when the road was bein
built. "They sent me there by mistake
It's the cavalry want, not infantry. u
The engineer looked the speaker owe
in surprise. Away down the track tn
headlight of the incoming train wa
growing bigger every moment and ia
rumble Of the bulky approach could