Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-07-03
down the narrowing rails toward the

down the narrowing rails toward the
disappearing train.
Il s'pose they think thet no one ever
he'd railroad before asserted Gram
per. "They act es if they owned track,
train an the hull caboodle."
People amt like they ust to be-"
said Cappen plaintiyely. They're light
minded an Unstable. They don't know
who they're celebratin', but it's any
thing fer a frolic, an farmin' may go
to the dogs
"An' they're goin' to hev whole
OK an Nunited States SENATOR" ru-
minated Gramper in tone of regret.
The sun climbed higher, and still the
old men sat on the platform mourning
their fate. Suddenly Gramper rose
stitfiy to his feet. pulling Cappen up
after him.
'Looky yanderv' he exclaimed, point
ing excitedly up the road with his
cane.
Above the bank of Pewee creek,
just where the railroad was flung
across, arose cloud of smoke that ev-
cry moment increased in volume They
hobbled down the track to the bank
and peered over. Where the great tim
bers of the temporary bridge crossed
and recrossed flames licked greedily at
the dry, tinderlike wood.
Gramper pointed to a dry ledge of
earth far below the upper bank
"Them tramps thet left town this
mornin' slep' down thar las night an
must've built a fire fer breakfast. See
how it's crep' frum thar all along them
beams till now mighty nigh the whole
things afiret"
Ian o. graciousp' calculated Cap
pen, all his spite at the new railroad
swallowed up in the face of this calam-
ity. "Ain't thet too scand' 'lousY'
Just then, from far up the eastern
stretch of track, whistle cleft the air
Gramper suddenly clutched Cappen's
arm.
''It's Judgment on this perverse an
stiff necked gen'rationw he exclaimed
dramatically. "Thet bridge'll be gone
by the time the 'xcursion trains in.
Pewee Corners is up at Waxhaw with
the bobbycue, but Metropolis an the
Nunited States senator an brass
bandit be here. an it'll be our celebra-
ton. Hip, hip, hoorayT And the old
mans cane described triumphant cir
Gle in the air.
A telegraph operator on the excur-
to WaXhaw, where bored crowd was
impatiently waiting for the belated WIS.,
itors, for town of 800 people cannot
do much entertaining if the speakers
of the day and the only brass band
are fifteen miles away on the other
side of burned out bridge The ad-
dress of welcome was delivered, and
the Coyote quartet of WaXhaw sang
two or three patriotic songs, according
to programme. The picnic dinner was
held, but on the whole it was a lone
some affair, and even the barbecue
failed to arouse much enthusiasm.
1t was well along toward evening
when the construction train, with it's
banners dropping, slowly backed up
and stopped on the opposite side of
Pewee creek The crowd climbed down
the embankment to the footbridges
that were hastily improvised from the
seats used in tile fat cars, the narrow
stream was crossed and a dusty, de-
jected and tired people filed up the
bank.
In the grove that stretched away to-
ward the creek from the platform were
seated, in groups on the ground and on
improvised seats, the eXcursionists
from Metropolis, presenting marked
contrast to the homecomers, SO COM
Portable and good natured did they
look.
On the platform was seated a COM
placent crowd-the resplendent brass
band, the United States senator whose
name had advertised the Waxhaw eel
ebration, several local celebrities from
Metropolis and Cappen Carter, his chin
upheld by aggressive dignity, while
from the speakers place held forth
Gramper Van Boskirk, chairman of
the day, who was winding up the pro-
gramme by relating in most approved
frontier style some Of his experiences
WILL lAC 1AOldlliS tlANf OultlOOOs
As Gramper brought the exercises to
a successful close Pewee Corners real
lied that the impromptu occasion had
been success, and its dropping spirits
rose, and when the senator turned back
for another handshake with Gramper
and Cappen the two old cronies took
on new Importance in the eyes of the
people.
After the train had pulled out to the
music of three cheers for the senator
three more were given with a will for
the heroes who had risen to the occa-
sion. This tribute Gramper acknowl-
edged in a dignified manner, adding
with some acerbity:
''Now thet you hev seen what two
superannuarated old men can do, 1
hope you won't be runnin' on wild
goose chases over the country, but'll
stay to home an celebrate your own
town the way you'd orter."
"'Twus a great day--a great day."
said Cappen as they hobbled down the
road in the dusk.
"Yep, you bet it wus," affirmed
Gramper. 81 give them tramps my
oldest boots an thet orn'ry brown wa
mus thet / ust to wear at butcherin'
times. IF I'd know'd they wus goin'
to hev thet accident under the bridge,
dino but I'd done more"
Webster's Apostrophe to the Flag.