Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-08-07
But that was VAN.


But that was vain.
Channing, he who commanded the
respect and confidence OF the yards and
Shops of the Big Horn, was sauntering
discontentedly in the Riviera, doing as
his doctors babe, utterly homesick, ut
terly unable to appreciate or UNDER
stand what he saw and only wishing
himself back In the cab of Baldwin,
whirling "the limited" over the prairie
GO miles an hour. Claiming knew ey-
cry mothers son in the Brentwood
yards by name. The new incumbent
knew not one of them. Charming
argued, Burleigh bullied, and clash
was inevitable. The management of
both roads had announced in unequivo-
cable terms that they would not yield
to the demands of the men. The may
or OF Brentwood was sorely frighten-
ed. The governor had been requested
to order troops to the scene and over
awe the would be strikers and very
properly refused. For 1t is our good
American policy in dealing with enc
mics or insurgents, white. red or
brown, mobs, Indians or Tagalogs, new
er to show fight until practically fore
ed Into 1t. The railway companies in
anticipation of the strike had gathered
some hundreds of workmen across the
Missouri ready to be rushed by special
train to Brentwood, but neither the po-
lice, posses nor militia had been mobi-
lized.
Pondering anxiously over the situa-
ton, Cresswell was walking slowly
homeward up Thayer street. He had
been talking with the mayor and GER
tain city fathers at the Brentwood and
now wished to see Langdon, but Lang
don evidently wasn't home, and the
town clock had struck the quarter. The
Office door was closed and doubtless
locked, and Cresswell's keys were in
his workaday pockets at the house.
Confident of meeting Langdon, he
strolled on toward the armory and be-
came suddenly aware of the division
superintendent of the Big Horn talk
Ing with two of the boys. Cresswell
didn't like that official, but for reasons
OF his own preferred to make much Of
him. He stopped and held out his
hand.
"Oh, good evening Mr.-er-ah-Colo-
mel Cresswell," stammered the railway
man in some confusion. 81 didn't see
you. I'm glad to see you. Can you
tell me where can find Mr. Langdon?
I've knocked and hammered at the Of
lice, and these gentlemen say that he
went straight home half an hour ago."
ut is true" said one of the young
soldiers. 81 saw him go in there just
before 10 O'clock"
.Oddy' said Cressweli. suppose we
walk over, Mr.. Superintendent"
They did, and they knocked and
hammered for two minutes without
response, and then Cresswell bethought
him of the rear door.
You wish to see him personality"
queried he of the official, with doubt in
his tone.
"Yes. The road sent me an impor-
tdnt message. 1 may us well tell you
confidentially, Of course. They want
him to go to that meeting that's in full
blast at this minute. They think the
ueH VIII listen TO him..
II see" said Cresswell, with sarcastic
emphasis. Having kicked him out in
to the cold for another mans crime,
they want him to help them out of an
other scrape. You must feel gratified
at being the bearer of such message.
However, come on. Well try the
back"
An alley parallel with Thayer street
divided the block, and Cresswell's Of
flee buildings covered about half the
lot. Wood, coal and ice We're delivered
by way of that alley, which accounted
for the worn path to the open cellar
way, but not for the footprints in the
snow on the steps leading up to the
back door. Cresswell tried the knob,
and the door was fast. But who left the
cellar steps uncovered? Have you a
gun?' he asked, and the superintend-
ent faltered, Yes"
Gripping his own revolver, faith
full friend of Kentucky days, Cresswell
cautiously descended the steps and felt
his way through the dampness and
dark. He had no match, and lighting
WouAu oiiy IeNeul ul!u 10 proWlerS IL
there were any. lie knew the prem
ises thoroughly and quickly reached
the lower hall and the stairway to the
ground floor above him. 1t was dark
as Erebus, and he, breathing heavily,
felt his way up the creaking flight I'M
til within reach of the top. Then
something fell with stunning force and
danced before his eyes, and he went
crashing back the way he came, bound
ing, rolling and sliding till he brought
up senseless and bleeding at the foot Of
the stairs.