The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-11-08
PETERS CREEK
 ELECTRIC ROAD


 lived only 15 miles apart, yet they had not seen each other for three years.
 Neither of them found 1t easy to take the horses away from their work for two days, and, even if such a thing could be accomplished now and then, it was i'm possible for either woman to achieve the journey without some sort of man body as conductor of the expedition.
 It must not be supposed that the part of New York state in which this occurred was unenriched by railroad activity. Dear, no! By riding 33 miles, thus de- scribing an acute triangle, and waiting five hours at the junction, it was possi- ble for Jane to go to Susan and for Su- san 10 go to Jane.
 Its preposterous." said Jane.
 Courageous" said Susan.
 So they did not visit.
 There's rumors afioat of one of them electric roads to be built straight long Peter's creek" John Lathrop told Susan, his wife. "Thatll take you straight 10 Jane's, and no changin of cars or noth- in."
 "Lawsr' cried Susan. How soonrl 1t be buildedT
 "'Bout three years" said Lathrop and laughed. But Susan was serious.
 How many hoursll it take to git from here to there on 'lectric carI"
 Hours! Minutes, you mean, woman! Less'n 50 minutes'll do the biz"
 What! Me git to Jane in 90 minutes" It seemed incredible. Then a resolution was born in the economical soul of Susan Lathrop. "I'll wait till that there road is I v al. 4T,'I 1.
 Jane heard of this resolve and com mended it.
 AS Susan says" she remarked to her husband. "it'll be real economy to put off visitin till that there road is done"
 "Ies,' acquiesced Hank French, "when we git the 'lectric it'l be quicker to go anywhere than to stay at home"
 "Eh?" said Jane, looking perplexed.
 Yep" growled Hank. And, vexed at his wifc's lack of appreciation of his hu- nor, he relapsed into silence,
 But three years is long time going by. The sisters stood it with what fortitudc they could. But thousand things had happened of which they desired to speak. People had died-people they both knew and Jane and Susan had had no opportu- nity to discuss deathbed speeches, likeli- hood of frances, details of funerals or the situation of the bereaved families. Beula Jones had used Shaker flannel instead of all flannel pinning blankets for her baby, and Susan lad had no chance to tell Jane. Lila Gibbs had been married in green poplin-the idca-and Jane had lacked an opportunity to tell Susan. Pete Hines was converted and was almost eX- ploding with his pent mp oaths; Si Lewis had taken to drink since he married his second wife. Was it not pitiful that these events had remained undscussed? :? Moreover, there were domestic matters of still greater importance-but these it would be a breach of confidence to men | tion
 The twins got so that the first news they read in The Weekly Herald was l that which related to the construction of | the electric road. When the teams were put at work upon the roadbed, Susan and Jane were ns happy as birds. When the first rails were laid, they exulted like successful politicians the morning after election. Each was busy upon a frock | which she intended to wear to the house | of the other: each was full of childish an- ticipation at the thought of giving a sur prise to the other.
 The time of waiting passed. A morn ing of rain dawned, and at each end of the road a bright yellow car stood wait ing to make its initial journey. Jane, in her new frock, was in one care, bound for Susan's her arms filled with bundles con- taining gifts, her heart fluttering like that of happy girl. Susan, in her fresh gown. was in the other car, destined for James, her lap heaped with presents, her heart dancing like an accepted lovers.
 The cars started by the watch, spit blue fire from the furious wheels and green fire from the frantic troleys and made the run in 5S and 59 minutes re- spectively, passing each other on the way.
 The summer rain turned into down pour and all in the deluge Jane climbed the hill to Susan's house, and Susan plod ded along the common to James.
 Never mind, Jane," said John La throp to his sister-in-aw. You just make yourself to home. Susan'll be back in no time. Don't you move out O this here house till Sue gifts home. She's bin fret tin and stewin fur you till up and said to her I guess she made q mistake in liv- in with me. It was you she ought to have had"
 So Jane staid and looked after Susans children and cooked for Susans husband and watched every car for the appear ance of her sister.
 As for Susan, she broke down for moment when she found that her journey had been in vain.
 Now see here, Susie," argued her brother-in-law, Hank French; what use Is it to cry? Jane'll come racin home like Maud $ when she finds you're here. You stay right where you be-"
 So Susan did as she was bid and visit ed with Jane's husband and hemmed Jane's napkins and made new kind of pickle for Jane out of some overripe string beans.
 But on the third day Jane concluded to go home. And on the third day Susan concluded to go home. And sO-but that's really the end of the story. They're a fool invention to my mind, them lectric cars" said Jane to her hus- band.
 Susan dropped tears in the bath as she bathed the children.
 There's too many newfanglcd things in these parts" she said to the children. Next time your ma goes anywhere she s goin to drive the horses. and then maybe she'll git somethin that she wants. ."-Chi- cago Tribune.