The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1900-09-06
Cruise Of the White Dove

sI1IONDER and delight thrilled the
Mangold boys when the railroad
ssnx reached the edge of the prairie
claim. For days, almost for weeks,
4he slow approach of the laborers had
Hbeen watched. First, just above the
horizon, then creeping across the level
plain-it seemed that they would never
sdIne.
Rob, Tad and roly poly Link stood in
nne, gazing curiously as the wielders
ssi pick and shovel crossed the boundary
III the farm.
y want q ride, bubs?" called one of
gsle men, motioning toward the fiat
D1sh car standing on the newly laid
ssck.
& Course we do,' and the three boys
eeon sat on the long car, their six bare
6own legs hanging of, while the men
tnndled them along the track toward
~ piles of rails and ties.
That was the beginning. The men
stayed for long time on the Mangold
claim, for there were along the creek
blufs and hills to work through. The
boys fairly lived beside the track and
psshed the now little used f1atcar back
and forth, enjoying the novel play
thing.
Wish We had an engine" remarked
1ad one summer day, gazing away to
Ne north; ''it's such hard work push
hg."
There were no grades on the line
hon the bluffs northward, and the
tbcys richly earned all the rides they
sRcured. 5s.f
Bob, wide-hatted and brown checked
I'd Of II, had an idea. Perhaps it came
bacause of seafaring ancestors back in
Maine, the family's native state.
4 know" he exclaimed; "let's put
P askail!"
A ahout arose from the trio, and a
eouncil was held as they sat on the
edee Of the battered car platform.
u What can we make it of, and where
~ we get it?" asked Tad, rather in
deAhitely
Rob thought q minute. Then he
whispered something to the others,
nd series Of chuckles and leg-slap-
plngs followed. The three hurried
through the prairie grass homeward.
latArfhad gone to the county seat
town 20 miles away; mother was pa
tiently finishing the weeks ironing in
Tie summer kitchen. Es
Cautiously Rob led the way to the
little unpainted granary where were
kert the implements and tools be-
iouehg to the farm. Over the plows
and binders he crawled until he came
g pile Of brown sacks-long, close
woven and soiled. When the sheep were
eaeared In the spring the fleeces were
peeked in such receptacles, tramped
down BY Rob's bare feet. A few Of the
laehFh4d been left and were tossed
g the granary floor, forming one OF
- favorite resting places Of the three
Just the thing" declared Rob"
seteing one high in the air, and when
~ lad joined him they quickly ripped
80 stitching and had before them sew
lar4s aquares of bagging.
k6 ler mast" Nothing Is quite
= scalse on the prairie claim long
rom lumber lard, as stick o1
But the granary itself was q
me. Climbing among the rafters
g found long narrow board which
|ss shonght would do and could be
d. Down it came clattering to the
ys OF labor followed before the sal
eompleted. With a picture from .
lsine as guide, with some core
me for fastenings, Rob measured
eeWed, and dreamed Of the sea, al
making himself believe that h,
20 guide an obedient sloop over
= waters.
aen It was ready he lifted the ode
etatns against the granary wall
were three timbers-the up
So mast and the cross-pieces hold
We big and nearly square sail.
sl call it the White Dove,'" IN
I'D Rob.