Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-07-24

was drinking again, Langden was gam
bling, Langdon was specializing through
n broker in Omaha, and these, investi-
gated unbeknown to Langdon, fell fiat.
lie had won the respect of the better
class Of men; he had become an expert
trainhand; he minded his own bust
ness, yet was full of sympathy and in
terest In the affairs of the operatives
and the crews of the trains. In March
the superintendent of the Seattle of
| fered him similar berth at bigger pay
provided he would move to Sioux City,
ana the offer was declined. In April
the great drill came off. The flag of
the rifles was trailed in the dust. They
were not even placed" by the judges,
ana the great prize was won in almost
a walkover by the Gunnison Grays.
Time and again Langdon had receiv-
ed warnings from the police that there
was a gang on the south side ever
watching for a chance to do him up"
and from mine host of the Brentwood
that there We're influential men on the
north side, potent in the councils of the
Big Horn, who would hurt him If they
could. One day there came a curt sum-
mons from Il local lawyer to the effect
that bills to the amount of $3.50 had
been placed in his hands for collection
and calling upon him to take immedi-
ate steps to meet them. Langdon called
to inquire and was CURLY, almost in
solently, received. He learned enough
however, to convince him that two of
the bills were those of dealers at Paw
nee to whom he had regularly and con-
scientiously been paying $40 month
apiece. The inference was plain. Ma
than had bought in the balance of the
claims and sent them through Peril
go's bank for collection. In his trouble
Langdon wrote to Charming, but no
answer came. Twice the latter had
written him that the president and GER
tain directors had spoken to him about
Mr.. Langdon's debts. 1t was evident
that some enemy was bounding him,
but so long us Charming was ION deck"
as he wrote to Langdon, he could
COUNT on his support.
But Claiming was no longer on deck.
The incessant brain work, the strain,
the immense labor devolying on an ac-
tive official of the road whose business
outdid Its resources, had finally told.
Nervous prostration and collapse had
ensued, and Claiming was downed at
last.
1t was the first week in May and
with all nature sweet and smiling
about him. Eric Langdon came up
from Gunnison ON the early morning
freight, his heart heavy as lead. He
had spent the early hours of the pre-
yious night, Friday, working hard with
the Grays, for their ambition was
boundless now, and they had entered
for n competition in an adjoining state.
The night itself lie had spent trying to
sleep under the roof of his friend, the
station agent, but sleep would not
come. and twice he arose and went out
and walked the platform under the
glistening stars. On Monday, said the
lawyer, that money must be paid.
Langdon had no appetite for breakfast.
He took a cup of coffee at the station
restaurant on reaching Brentwood and,
though it was barely o'clock, went to
his office. Janitor and watchmen not
ed his haggard face and wondered at
his early hours. Early as they were,
some one had been there earlier. The
safe door stood open-the cash was
gone.