The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-19

thor OF I'm His Steps" tells in
the August St Nicholas story
which he describes as founded
In on fact. He writes:
I had been attached TO the
United States signal service In one of the
Western states. and obtaining leave Of
absence for two weeks, l had also. by
dint OF careful and influential correspond
ence with the division superintendent OF
the y. railroad. obtained permission TO
make trip over the road with the pro-
iessionai reinmaker employed by the
company.
The car was divided into two compart-
nents- One was fitted up with sleeping
ana dining arrangements the other con-
tanned the mechanical and electrical ap-
pliances used by the rainmaker. II was
in the professional end OF the car that
was seated, watching the rainmakcr as
he busted himself with certain pieces OF
apparatus that looked as mysterious to
me as IL they had been the stock In trnde
OF necromancer. Presently he finished
MS task and came and sat down beside
me. We sat looking out on the prairie as
we sped dustily along and the rainmaker
answered my questions with good-natur-
ed amusement at some Of them. The
whole AFFAIR was mysterious to me, and
the professors" explanations only added
10 the mystery. To tell the truth, had
no faith In the power Of the rainmaker's
combination OF chemicals and electricity
10 produce a drop OF moisture.
II was nearly dark when we drew up at
the town where we were TO be side-track.
ed and left TO make the trial 1t was a
railroad town with a group of shops and
three or four smelters. We were backed
upon the siding. uncoupled from the train
which went on. and at once the rainmak-
err made his preparations for letting the
gases out into the air
A crowd of curious men and bows had
gathered. knowing that the rainmaker
was coming. A committee OF citizens
from the town was on hand. BY this
time It was dark and the apparatus was
In shape. The battery was turned on, and
In few moments / was informed that
the gases were being liberated There
was little noise In connection with the
work. and the whole thing was very un-
demonstrative.
I'VE might as well eat our supper now"
said my companion.
Don't you have to watch anything9'
mo: II goes ITSELF he answered
That's the beauty of it,
II think we shall get a storm within
twenty-four hours said the rainmakcr,
after supper
did not say anything. To get little
exercise ! stepped out OF the car and
strolled up the main track 10 the little
station. ! was surprised to find a large
gathering Of men there.
whats going onS'
Haven't you heardy The big strike Is
on, and all trains on the line have stopped
running"
1t was true. The greatest railroad
strike ever known had begun, and there
we were. stranded In that railroad town
OF desperate men. and no telling when we
could pun out.
sha v>,nrctn~ -
same dusty. bleak. hot prairie Our car
was surrounded by perfect mob Of men
and boys all day. Some Of them made
threats against the company's property;
but we thought nothing Of them. There
was feeling OF excitement on all eifes
At night we felt obliged TO close the doors
OF our car TO shut out the mob. had
made my arrangements 10 sleep, and had
In fact, in spite OF the excitement OF the
evening. supposed that all was eoing 20
settle down again. when n shout outside
brought me UP standing. and the rain
maker and ] pushed open one OF the side
doors little way TO look out. A large
crowd OF men could be seen running down
the track toward us. They stopped OH
the other side OF the switch from the sid
Ing. and by the light OF the burning smell
ter we could see them tearing up the rails.
The rainmaker closed the door and lock-
ed II. He then secured the other door In
the same way. A small lamp had been
burning on shelf. He blew Il out ana
whispered TO me. TITS our hest chance
Of escaping notice. The men are excited:
they have been drinking and there In no
telling what they may do now their blood
IA up"
Ten minutes went by. suddenly n
strange crash was heard. n was follow
ed by another and another. each nearer
than the FIRST, and accompanied with
great yeiIs and cries.
What can they be doinsy'' could not
help asking.
At that instant. before my companion
could answer. peal OF thunder rolled
over the prairie and the shouts of the
mob. The rainmaker smiled AZ me, az
much as 10 say, II told you go" ana
what he would have said do not know
for the next moment we felt the ear sway
violently NJ and down, ss II caught on
the swell Of an earthquake
The heavy trucks went Up on one side
and then came down with Jar that
smashed nearly every bottle on thu rain
makers shelves. There was an awful
yell from the mob. and again the car rose
on ore side as II being lifted by giant
hands.
Great hsavensr' cried the rainrnaksr.
They are trying 40 Zip the car avert'