The Red Cloud chief., 1900-07-20

zon. then creeping across the level
plain-it seemed that they would
never come.
Rob, Tad and roly-poly Link stood
In line, gazing %curiously as the WELD
ers of pick and shovel crossed the
boundary Of the farm.
Want a ride, hubs?' called one OF
the men, motiouing toward the Hat
push ear standing on the newly laid
track.
Course we do" and the three boys
soon sat on the long car, and six bare
brown legs hanging off, while the men
trundlCd them along the track toward
the piles Of rails and ties.
That was the beginning. The mon
stayed for a long time on the Mangold
claim. for there were along til" creek
bluffs and hills to work through. The
boys fairly lived beside the track and
pushed the now little used Hat car
back and forth, enjoying the novel
plaything.
wish we had an engine remarked
Ted one summer day, gazing away to
the north; ITS such hard work push
ing"
Bob. w~ide-hatted and hr~own-cheeked
lad of "A. had an idea. Perhaps 1t
came because OF the scafaring ances-
tors back in Maine. the family's native
state.
Il know" he exclaimed; lets put
up a SAIL"
What can we make II Of and where
can we get IT," asked Tad, rather In
definitely.
Rob thought a minute, Then he
whispered something to the others ana
\ series of Chuckles and lcg-slappings
followed. The three hurried through
the prairie grass homeward. Father
had gone 20 the county seat town ~
miles away; mother was patiently nm
ishing the weeks ironing in the sum
mer kitchen.
Cautiously Rob led the way to the
little implanted granary where were
kept the Implements and tools belong
Ing to the farm. over the plows and
binders he crawled until he came TO
a pile Of brown sacks-long, close
woven and soiled. When the sheep
were sheared in the spring the heeces
were packed in such receptacles, tramp
ed down by Rob's bare feet. A few oil
the sacks had been left and were toss
ed on the granary floor, forming one
OF the favorite resting places or the
three boys.
Just the thing" declared Rob hold
ing one high in air, and when Tad hac
Joined him they quickly ripped th'
stitching and had before them severa
large squares OF bagging.
Now for a mast" Nothing Is quite
so scarce on the prairie claim. lons
miles from a lumber yard. as a stiei
of timber. But the granary itself Wa'
a resource. Climbing among the raft
ers, Rob found a long narrow board
which he thought would do, and coult
be spared. Down 1t came Gathering u
the floor.
Days Of labor followed before thu
sail was completed. With a picture
from a maeazine as a guide, and SOM
cord and wire for fastenings. Ro'
measured and sewed, and dreamed o
the sea, almost making himself believ
that he was to guide an obedient sloo.
over blue waters.
When 1t was ready he lifted the cd
apparatus against the granary wal
There were three timbers-the uprigh
mast exld the cross-pieces holding tn
big and nearly square sail.
Wen call 1t the White Dove" an
nounced Rob.
But II amt white" protested TIA,
Never mind-that was the name c
g%randpa's boat, and he sailed to tn
Newfoundland banks in it,"
So the white Dove" it was. NeI
was to come the launching.
The hills and a curve in the railroa
made opportunity for the young a
gators. One day, when father wa
again In town, they toiled toward III
n track-Rob ~burdened with the sa
rolled tight and Tad laboriously drai
% glng the tImbers.
~ Up and down the. track they locke
to the southwest It wound into ii
bluffs where the men were making n
dirt fly; to the north IT stretche
- straight away until 1t was lost In Il
shimmerins haze OF the horizon.
IN Quick, Tad, bring II on" were Cal
ia tain Rob's orders, and the equipmei
: OF the land sloop began. The task WI
m more difficult than they had though
re but patiently they lahored and col
trived, all the time forgetful Of the
10 surroundings or OF the danger Of beir
discovered.
IN Little Link had been left benin
n. Big tears made wide paths through II
dirt on his FOUND cheeks, but he W;
loyal TO the adventurers. who had to,
y. him that he would be IN the way
>, the launching, but might go some otl
er time. lie crawled among the pillow
n. and binders to the remainder of Il
m pile OF sacks and sobbed himself
IN sleep.
II ,uos ono NJ thosa "hot-wInd' ia