The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-09-14

fasteSt tram OF cars, and at 20 the
best men were holding their breath,
as it was impossible to breathe at
such speed, and the slightest swerye
would send them off the track. From
the side the scene was a frightful
one, as il 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 Veto
nv. He knew it; his teeth were set /;
his heart was in his mouth-the
goal was just ahead Then some
thing happened. He swerved a
tenth of an inch; a 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 a hopeless
knot. "ranglefoot' had lost again.
and the loud laughter and eibes Of
the spectators rang in his ears as,
half stunned, he slid to the bottom
and picked himself lip. 70 their
credit, the winners did not laugh
1t was the crowd ON the hill. and
Barton took off his skis and, avoid
ing them. walked over the snow and
was losl to siaht in the shoot that
led to his hcme
That night, as was the custom,
there was bail. and AZ the earnest
wish Of his mother Long Barton
went. But he took no part in the
entertainment and sat by the stove
and watched the morrvmukers,
knowing well that he wis the butt
Of them all. Late a night, while
he still looked on, crowd gathered
at the door arognd q NAM who had
just arrived Reel Stacey, the stage
driver
"Ilope YOU folks has extra spices
on your chimneys and flags out" lie
said. its banked 80 feet az 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 a bundle. blanket after
blanket, and producing baby that
looked up at the men with wonder
ing gaze.
"A baby they shouted in chorus,
and half a dozen arms reached for
the child.
"Hold on, boys said the driver;
Cuisines first This is Jim Gray
sons baby. His wife died last night,
and he's fat on his back The cow
was killed in the snow and thcre
amt any milk ia this town but
this" and the Oh DRIVER held hip
quart bottle "Now. tire doctor
saws that tie only thing To save tho
baby Is TO ei ONT where there's
milk five don't. it will storyc."
"Whr. Rrei aid .he orckccper
in an awad whisper sits death in
try the mountains in such 4 storml
60 | told fhe doctor" replied
the stage driver Sand haven't the
nerve Is try Ill. / know what it IS
a man life against the kids. But
] said Ill tHt Incense He's ancW
conner al Sierr Ile cot here and
can't get away
cts 80 mile 70 milk IL lis ii
foot, reH3td nd whiskered
miner in THE group Won't bread
and water 10
ut might ior ome retortcd the
driver "but this bahv not built
that ga Size wan milk and she
won anytime else They I've
becntr r ! thlrn any
man cain nny-
thiue Amid the pc5L raised Ills
voice
Every minDr present new that it
was impo iblo 10 gnt out % The
mountains, even if iii was not snow
ing, until Che snow had settled. Ey-
cry one recalled the names and faces
Of men who had met death trying to
cross the sierras in storms, and for
few moments no one answered.
Then, as the driver pulled the blan-
ket over the little figure, which he
held closer to his breast, a voice
said:
"Well, il the baby wants milk,
she's going to have it f; don't you for
get it, boys" And Long Barton
edged through the crowd and took
the child in his arms. lie rolled it
up in the coverings the stage driver
had taken off. Then he pulled on