Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-07-06

valises, came down and caught the
midnight train for the west, and it
wasn't until he reached Topeka that
he found he had left at home his check
for $500 and had only little silver and
his letter of introduction to the super
intendent of the great road that
threaded the west like huge artery.
He found the superintendent Of
flee without difficulty and presented
him his fathers letter.
After the superintendent had read
the letter. from his great eastern
friend lie looked keenly at the some
what slender, but athletic figure before
him and smiled.
81 have an opening" he said, "but
it is by no means bed of roses"
'What is it?" asked Philip.
'Not especially hard work, but it is
lonely spot. There is cut up the
road about $50 miles. 1t is in the
mountains, where washouts frequently
occur. Telegraph poles wash down,
wires are broken, etc. So it is neces-
sary to keep watchman there contin-
ually. A railroad tricycle. is fur
nished; also shack where, after a
fashion, one can live. Wages, $50
month Think vou can stand it?"
The prospect was not alluring, but
Philip had made up his mind to accept
whatever offered itself without demur;
so he said, eyes, thanks; | will take
it. | suppose there will be shooting
and fishing in plenty?"
eyes, plenty of that, fortunately.
BY the way, you will consider yourself
my guest for day Or two if you would
like e-your father is an old friend of
mine. "
''Thank you sir, " said Philip, grave
ly, ''but L will go at once if you
please"
SO the superintendent, we'll pleased
with his new watchman's pluck, fur
lfished him with a list of directions,
supplies needed and passes. In the
few hours before his train left Philip
sold some jewelry and bought his sim
pie outfit
Only one train day from either di-
rection stopped at his station unless
tagged. He was dropped at his new
abode just as night was closing in,
with supply boxes, gun, camera, valises
he had left his trunk in Topeka. He
made many journeys up to where his
little shack, or hut literally hung on the
mountain side before his possessions
were landed on the floor of his one
room. 1t was cold, but the former
occupant had thoughtfully left box
filled with resinous pine knots, and
Philip soon had fire cracking de-
lightfully in the rusty stove and after
very frugal meal he was so honestly
tired that he slept as he had rarely
slept before, though on "shake-
down" of fragrant balsam boughs
covered with his great roll of blan-
kets.
Hunting, fishing and touch of the
outside world through the books and
papers nysteriously sent him supplied
him with recreation outside of his
somewhat monotonous duties in the
weeks that followed
Fortunately Philip thoroughly loved
nature, and the magnificent views all
around him were source of endless
delight.
"When I've earned my promotion
I'll bring his dear excellency out
here" he thought. 'I'll show him
thing or two that will surprise him.
The only thing is there is nothing to
do here that will earn promotion. "
However, one day, far up in the cut,
he was tapping poles and scanning the
track over deep culvert when all ct
once he heard voices below him. He
dropped on his face and heard distinct
ly the details of plan to rob the pay
car which would go through in about
an hour.
Surely this was au adventure at lastl
He ran back to the place where he had
left his tricycle. just as the mail train,
which had side tracked for a few min
utes on account of hot-box, was pull
ing out. "Whoop," said Philip, then
whiz went a rope round the brake on
the rear car, and Phil and his tricycle.
were going down grade tied to the
lightning mail.
He had tied on behind freight
once or twice before this, and that was
fun, but this beat tobogganing and
everything else that he had ever heard
of in the way OF speed His front