CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1901-07-25
LONG BARTON's RACE.
Concluded

positions. Each racer bore long
staff, or starter. Some held it on
one side, some between their legs,
while others extended it ahead, and
as the word was given each man
gave mighty shove and projected
himself down the terrific slide. They
shot over the edge like wave of
water over fall and seemed to rush
into space, then sank SO rapidly
from view that they were gone be-
fore the excited onlookers realized
it. The speed increased rapidly, and
in 10 seconds was like that of fast
trotter, at 10 it was equal TO the
fastest train of cars, and at 90 the
best men were holding their breath,
as it was impossible to breathe at
such speed, and the slightest swerve
would send them off the track. From
the side the scene was a frightful
one, as it was hard TO believe that
human beings could preserve their
position and not be dashed TO pieces
under such extreme velocity. But
the line swept on, few OF the racers
surging ahead. Half way down, and
four are in advance, two-thirds, and
one tall figure is leading.
\ 1t is Long Barton. He is rushing
with the speed of light. The new
dope" is carrying him on to yicto-
ry. He knew it; his teeth were set;
his heart was in his mouth-the
goal was just ahead. Then some
thing happened. He swerved
tenth of an inch; piece of ice
caught the channel of his polished
ski, perhaps, and the next second
the line Of racers rushed like the
wind by figure rolling over and
over. its legs. arms and long skis
seemingly tangled in hopeless
knot. "Tangleioot" had lost again,
and the loud laughter and gibes Of
the spectators rang in his ears as.
half stunned, he slid TO the bottom
and picked himself up. To their
credit. the winners did not laugh.
1t was the crowd on the hill. and
Barton took of his skis and. avoid
ing them, walked over the snow and
was lost to sight in the shoot that
led TO his home
That night, as was the custom,
there was ball. and at the earnest
wish OF his mother Long Barton
went But he took no pari in the
entertainment and sat BY the stove
and watched the merrvmnkers.
knowing well that he was the butt
Of them all. Late al night, while
be still looked on. crowd gathered
al the door around a man who had
Just arrived-Reei Stacey, the stage
drtvpr
"Hope you folks has extra splices
on your chimneys and fAgy out" he
said. '1t's banked 50 feet at Ey-
ans. and the 80 foot marks on the
pines are covered. and it's showing
like It will never stop. But that's
not what come for" he continued,
unrolling q bundle. blanket after
blanket. and producing a baby that
looked up at the men with wonder
ing gaze.
"a babyi" they shouted in chorus.
tih NAAA hhA'h AllAl1 AeaNlANA ANA
the child.
"HIold on. boys" said the driver;
"busincss first This is Jim Gray
sons baby. His wife died las; night,
and he's fiat on his back. The COW
was killed in the snow, and there
amt any milk in this town but
this" and the old driver held up a
quart bottle. 'Now, the doctor
saws that the only thing TO save the
baby is TO get il out where there's
milk. II We don't, it will starve."
"Why, Reel" said the storekeeper
in an awed whisper, "it's death to
try the mountains in such a storm!"
$50 ! told the DOCTOR" replied
the stage driver, "and / haven't the
nerve TO try il. know what it is
mans life against the kids. But
said I'd state the case. He's new
conner at Sierra. He got here and
can't get away"
Its so miles to milk II it's a
foot remarked a red whiskered
miner in the group. "Won't bread
and water do 2"
at might for some" retorted the
driver. ''but this baby's not built
that way. She wants milk, and she
won't touch anything else. They've
been trying it for days, Is there any
man here that can suggest any
thing?' And the speaker raised his
voice.
Every miner present knew that it
was impossible to get out OF the
mountains, even IL il was not snow