Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-04-26

before thnt cOach had run more than
Its own length. but it wouldn't do for
an employee to say so. The corporal
looked aPpralinwy Mt his fellow pas.
sengers of the Rio Grande train
There were dozens OF them stretch
ing their legs and strolling about the
platform. after getting their hnnd
luggage transferred and seats Sc
cured but there was no one In posi-
ton or authority to interpose. Some
seemed to feel no interest.
Get your, rations and plumber
aboard" he ordered, turning sudden
ly to his party, and, loading up with
blankets, overcoats, haversacks and
canteens, the recruits speedily took
possession of their new quarters,
forced open the damned windows to
let out the imprisoned and overhead
ed air, piled their boxes of hard
bread and stacks of timed meat Mt
the ends and their scant soldier
goods and chattels in the rude sec
tions, then tumbled out again upon
the platform to enjoy. while yet
there was time, the freedom Of the
outer air, despite the torrid heat of
the midday sunshine.
In knots of three or four they
sauntered about, their hands deep in
their empty pockets, their boyish
eyes curiously studying the signs and
posters, or wistfully peering through
the screened doors at the tempta-
tions Of the bar and lunch counter or
the shaded windows of the dining
room, where luckier fellow-passen-
gers were taking their fill of
the good cheer afforded. Two of the
number, dressed like the rest in blue
flannel shirts, with trousers of light
er blue and heavier make, tanning
their heated faces with their drab,
broad-brimmed campaign hats,
swung off the rear end of the objec-
tionable car, and with a quick glance
about them, started briskly down
the track to where the "diner" and
certain sleepers of the Southern Pa
cific were being shunted about.
Come back here, you fellers!"
shouted the corporal, catching sight
of the pair. you don't know how
soon this here train may start. Come
back, l say" he added, emphatically,
as the two, looking first into each
others eyes, seemed to hesitate.
Then, with sullen, downcast face, the
nearer turned and slowly obeyed.
The other, a bright, merry youngster,
whose teeth cleaned as he laughed
his reply, still stood In his tracks.
Were only going to the dining
car, corporal" he shouted. That's
going with us. so we can't be left"
you've got no business in the din
ing car, Mellen; that's not for your
sort, or mine. for that matter" was
the corporal's ultimatum, And with
a grin still expanding his broad
mouth, the recruit addressed as
Mellen came reluctantly sauntcring
In the trail of his comrade, who had
submitted in silence and yet not
without shrug of protest. It was
to the latter the corporal spoke when
the two had rejoined their associ-
ates.
Aou VIC hoS SCAbV CAOukh w hAoW
you're not wanted at that diner.
Murray, whether Mellen has or not.
That's no place for empty pockets.
What took you there?
Wanted drink, and you said:
Keep away from the bar-room," an
swered Murray, briefly, his gray eyes
glancing about from man to man in
hn fNv
on the form and features of one who
stood little apart, youth of n
years, probably, ut was Fosters
treat" he added. aud that remark
transferred the attention of the
party at the instant to the young
ster on the outskirts.
He had been leaning with folded
arms against a lamp post, looking
somewhat YEARLY up the platform
to where, in pairs or little groups,
the passengers were strolling. men
and women both, seeking relief from
the constraint and stiffness of the
long ride by rail. He had an inter-
esting-even handsome-face, and
his figure was well knit. well proper
toned. His eyes were dark, soft
brown, with very long, curving
lashes, his nose straight, his mouth
finely curved. soft and sensitive. His
throat was full, round, and at the
base very white and fair, as the UNI
fastened and Tapping shirt collar
now enabled one to see. His hands.
too, We're soft and white. showing
that at least one of the 90 came not
from the ranks of the toilers. His
shoes were of finer make than those
of his comrades, and the handker-
chief 80 loosely knotted at the open
ing Of the conrse blue shirt was of
hnndsome and costly silk. He had
been paying scant attention to his
surroundings, and was absorbed, evil
IDENTIFY. in his watch on the tourists
w tbs PLATFORM when recalled Ia
himself by the consciousness that ali
eyes were upon him.
whats this about your treatin',
Foster?" asked the corporal.
For Il week he had felt sure the
boy had money, and not q little.
Nothing would have persuaded him
to borrow cent of Foster or any
body else, but others, and plenty of
them, had no such scruples.
The young recruit turned slowly.
He seemed reluctant to quit his scru-
tiny Of his fellow passengers. The
abrupt tone and manner of the ac-
cnstomed regular, too. Jared upon
him. 1t might be the corporals pre-
rogative 90 to address his charges.
but this one didn't like it, and meant