The Florence daily tribune., 1899-01-26
THE MILL SPRiTE.
BY CHARLES ri. HAReER.

ABOUT them to remind one OF the modest
structures that clatteringly turn into
-four the farmers grain in the country
districts farther east There are no
farmers driving up to the door and un-
loading dusty sacks OF yellow wheat
while they chat with the miller. Whole
freight trains instead, puff their noisy
way under the massive archways into
the building and car after car is
emptied in twinkling, each one dis
charging its load through a trap-door
in its floor. Then the cars, having been
almost as quickly loaded with flour as
they were emptied of grain, are pushed
on through another great stone arch
way, and go forth to carry the product
to eastern markets.
In the Perthton millthere was general
" one onlooker as the trains unloaded
who took no part in the work. Annie,
the little crippled daughter of the jani-
tor, limped up and down the platform,
in and out of the mill, as well as her
lameness would allow. Brakemen, en-
gineers and shippers all had a pleasant
word for her. The mill-sprite," one
engineer of a poetic turn of mind had
called her; and she went by that name,
even among those who did not know
what the phrase meant.
About midsummer new superin-
tendent, Mr.. Griswold, came to the mill.
Aren't you afraid of being caught
in the machinery" he asked one hot
evening, when he found Annie perched
on wide beam watching the wheat
low downward like golden river.
NO; I've always lived in the mill,
and go everywhere" she answered.
Might and day, too?r
Yes, it's prettier at night" she an
swered. simply; and the superintendent,
whose heart sometimes swclled with ad-
miration when the great structure was
lighted with electricity, agreed with
her.
He stopped a moment to watch the
swinging lever which, at a pull from an
assistants hand, pushed back the heavy
cover to the deep bin, and allowed u car
load of new wheat, fresh from the
prairies, to flow like a torrent into the
receptacle.
Twould be death to be under that
shower" Mr.. Griswold said. half to him
self, and passed on.
few evenings afterward, when she
was left alone by her father in the jani-
tors nest-like quarters in the front of
the mill, Annie's thoughts called up
this remark of the superintendent
about the stream of wheat. Just then
she heard low, rumbling sound in the
distance Another train of wheat was
coming. 1t would be unloaded in the
night. She started for the door to see
wall toward the tracks.
just before she came to a.corner she
heard low voices from around the turn.
Two men were whispering hoarsely.
The last night of the month always
brings it, you know" one said.
'Yes, but how can we get it2 TIL
watch will be on"
That's all right, I've been studying
the thing. an the superintendent is
here alone tonight. The Office men are
sick
The roar of the train was coming
nearer, and the men raised their voices.
He may show fight an ring in an
ALARM" said the second speaker.
NO danger" was the reply. 1t came
so sharply that it seemed to be hissed
in the others ear. ut won't take more
than a minute TO settle him. Wen jest
wait till tn train is in, an"
'Whir! whizz! came the noisy freight.
The engine threw out millions of sparks
as it tugged up the incline, and all
sounds but its roar were drowned
Nothing was distinguishable until the
long line of laden cars had disappeared
beneath the black arch in the wing of
the mill, and then Annie heard again:
Don't get scared now-it'll work all
right" Then the voices ceased.
Presently she peeped anxiously
around the corner. Nothing was Wis
ible now but the silent, dark walls, with
CLEANS of light coming through the
scores of windows.
These men were going to rob Mfr.
Griswold She must go and warn him.
Butwhatever they meant to do, it would
happen when the tram was in And
already it had come to standstill on
the dump platform.
Annie seized her bonnet, to protect
her brown hair from the flying -four,
HH -
and not daring to go outside and at
tempt to climb the long railway trestle
i'll the darkness, turned through a small
door into the depths of the mill and
started for the superintendent's office.
Mr.. Griswold was not there. The
doors of the safe in which the money
was kept We're closed, and she reflected
that the small night force was prob
ably assisting in the unusual task of un-
loading the train at that hour.
Out of the Office she hurried. and TAX
ing the upper floor because she knew
its windings better, and there were few
er belts and shafts, she turned in the
direction of the great bins. Another
roar told of second cars disposal, and
she caught her breath a little as she
trembled lest she should be too late.
At last she furnsJ a CORNER IN tho