Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-05-03
CHAPTER III.

AAu'iAooiut NdltcS Il physician boarded
the train under telegraphic orders
from the company and went some
distance up the road.
He had brought lint and bandaees
and soothing lotions, but in several
cases said no change was advisable,
that. with handkerchiefs contributed
by the passengers and bandages made
from surplus shirts, little Miss Ray
had extemporized well and had skill
fully treated her bewildered patients.
Questioned and complimented both.
Miss Ray blushingly admitted that
she had studied "First Aid to the
Wounded" and had had some instruc-
tions in the post hospitals Of more
than one big frontier post. Passen-
gers had ransacked bags and trunks
and presented spare clothing to the
few recruits whom the garments
would At. But most of the men were
shoeless and blanketed when morn
ing dawned, and all were thankful
when served with coffee and light
breakfast, though many even then
were too much excited and some in
too much pain to eat.
Mellen. the laughing and joyous lad
OF yesterday. was nursing blistered
hand and arm and stalking about the
car in stocking feet and a pair of
trousers two sizes too big for him.
Murray, now that the corporal was
no longer able to retain active com
mand, had resumed his truculent and
staggering manner. Almost the first
thing he did was to demand more
money OF Foster, and call him liar
when told that every dollar was
burned. Then he sought to pick a
fight with Hunt, who had, as he ex-
pressed it, "roped him like steer"
but the carload by this time had had
too much of his buster and made
common cause against him.
Two brawny lads gave him fair
warning that II he laid finger on
Hunt they would clay him out" Then
he insisted on seeing the corporal
and complaining of ill-treatment
And with such diversion the long day
wore on.
Stuyvesant, refreshed by several
hours Of sleep, yet looking somewhat
singed and blistered, went through
the car to see the sufferers along to-
wards IL o'clock. He had inquired of
the porter for Miss Ray, who was not
| visible when he had finished his
toilet. and was told that she had re-
| NAMED up until after the doctor
came aboard, and was now sleeping,
Finding three OF the men stretched
In the berths with comrades tanning
them. he ordered cooling drinks com
pounded by the steward. and later. as
they began the climb of the Sierras
and the men grew hungry, he sought
| to get q substantial luncheon for
them on the diner. but was told their
supply on hand was barely suficien.
for the regular passengers.
So when the train stopped q,
Truckee he tumbled of with three OF
the party, bought up quantity OF
bread and cheese, soda crackers and
fruit, and after consultation with the
conductor wired ahead to Sacrament
to for hot dinner for 10 men tc
be ready at the restaurant in the
station, it being now certain that
they could not reach San Francisco
before midnight. 1.-THE company
ought to do that" said the trainmen
and 1.-The company" had authorized
the light breakfast rendered earle,
In the day. In view of the fact thai
every item of personal property il
possession of the recruits had beer
destroyed, together with every crumt
of their rations, nobody questioned
that the company would only be too
glad to do that much for the men 81
nearly burned alive in their travel
ing holocaust.
Not doubt was entertained amons
either passengers or trainmen as tt
the origin of the fire. 1t had started
underneath, and the dry woodwork
burned like finder, and what wa
there to cause it but those blazing
boxes on the forward truck. TIL
conductor knew there had been n,
smoking aboard the car, and tina
every man was asleep when he wen
through at two o'clock. The brake
man had prophesied disaster ant
danger. 1t was Gods mercy tina
warned the poor fellows in time.
| Not until along in the AFTERNOON
as they were spinning swiftly dow
through the marvellous scenery abou
Blue Canyon and Cape Horn, did Mis-
Ray again appear. stuyvesant ha
been sitting awhile by Connolly, an
had arranged with him to wire to tn
Preside for ambulances to meet tn
party at Oakland Pier, for two a
least would be unable to walk, ant
until provided with shoes and cloth
Ing, few could march the distance
Then he had spent few minute
with the other patients.
When he returned to the sleeper
there at last was the object Of 8
many Of his thoughts. But she wa
reclining wearily, her head upon
pillow. and the austere maid and tw
other women stood guard over he,
"a severe headache" was the es
PLANTATION, and Stuyvesant felt tina
he must defer his Intrusion unit.
later.
Somewhere down the westwar
slope Of the sterras he found at
station some delicious cherries, and
ltHt basket Of ths ehsissst he asd
NJ u