The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-07-09
PETERS CREEK
 ELECTRIC ROAD

lived only IS miles apart, yet they had not seen each other for three years.
 Neither of them found it easy Co takl the horses away from their work for twe aAya, and. even if such a thing could ba accomplished now and then. it was im- possible for either woman to achieve thh Journey without some sort of man body as conductor of the expedition
 It must not Do supposed that the pazt of New York state In which this occurred was unenriehed by railroad aetvitJl Dear. no! By riding 83 mileS thus dos scrlblng an acute triangie' and Waitini Eve hours at the junction. it was posae ble for Jane Co so Co Susan and for bN uan Co go Co Jane.
 sIt's prepostorousT' said Jana
 "OutrageousF said Susah
 So they did not visit
 '-rhere's rumors ahoat of one of thel electric roads to Do built straight 'lonA Peter's creek" John Lathrop told Susan, hls wife. '-rhAt'n take you straight to Jane'a. and DO changln of cars or noth- ln."
 aLawsr' cried Susan. How SOODI lt be bulldedT'
 s'Bout three yearu." said LathroD and laughed. But Susan was seriouA
 sHow many hours1l it take Co git from here Co there on a 'lectric cary
 "Hoursl Minutes. you mean, Womanl Lessn 50 mlfutes'l do the blI."
 DWhatl Me git Co Jane ln 50 mirutes! It seemed Incredible. Then e resolutioa
 a N.. aE aE.. s...,aa.s1aaN HaaaHN nN AmHm m Lathrop. "I1l walt tin that there road h done," she declared. "Itn De a savin-"
 Jane heard Of this resolve and com mended lt.
 "As Susan says" she remarked to hog husband, 'ft'il Dc real economy Co put od visltln tlli that there road Is done"
 'Yes," aeQulesced Hank French 'when We Eit the 1ectrie lt'n be QuiekW 10 10 anywhere than Co stay at home"
 sEhT' said Jane, looking perpleKed
 "Yep~ groWled Hank. And, ve1ed ai hls wlfe's lack of appreciation of his hn' nor, De relapsed Into silence.
 But three years ls a long time going by, The sisters stood lt with what fortitudo they could. But a thousand things had happened of which they desired Co speak. People had died-people they both knew and Jane and Susan had had no Opportu- nity Co discuss deothbed speeches, hkeli' hood of frances. details of funerals or the situation of the bereaVed families. Beula Jones had used Shaker flannel Instead oi all flannel plnnlng blankets for her baby, and Susan had had no chance Co tell Jane. Lila Gibbs had been married ID Ereen poplin-the idea-and Jane had lacked an opportunity to tell Susan. Pete l Hines was converted and was almost ex- plodlng with bis pent up oaths; Sl Lewis | had taken to drink since he married hls .econd wife. Was it not pltiful that these events had remained undiscuhsedi Moreover, there were domestic matters Of still greater lmportance-but theso would be a breach of confidence to men tion.
 The twins Eot 90 that the first neWs they read In The Weekly Herald was that which related Co the construction of the electric road When tho teams were put ot work upon the roadbod. Susan cod Jane were as happy as birds When shs frst rails were laid. they eIulted Ike successful politicians the morning after election. Each was busy upon q froek which she intended Co wear Co the house of tho other; each was full of childish an- ticlpaiion at the thought of giving O sur prise Co the other.
 The time Of waiting passed. A morn lng Of rain dawled. and at each end of the road e bright yellow car stood walt lng Co make its Initial Journey. Jane, in Der new frock. was In one care, bound for susan's, her arms filled with bundles con talnlng gicts. her heart huttering Ike that of a happy girl Susan. In her fresh gown, was in the other car, destined fot Jane's, her lap heaped with presents, her heart dancing Ike an accepted lover'A
 The cars started by the watch, spll blue Gre from the furious wheels and green Gre from the frantic trolleys and made the rua in 6S and 60 minutes re SpectiVely, pAsaing each other on tho way.
 The summer rain turned Into e down pour, and all ln the deluge Jane climbed tho hll to 6ussn's house. and Susan plod- ded along the common Co JAne's.
 "Never mind. Jane" said John Ia, throp to hls sister-ln-laW. "You just make yourself to home. Susann be back To no timO Don't you move out O this bere house till Buo Kits home. She's bin frot. tin and steUin fur you tlll up and aaid to her guess ahe made a mistake in hV- ln with mo. lt was yOu she ought e have had"
 So Jano staid and looked after suBan's children and cooked for Susan's husband and watched every car for the appear ance of her sister.
 As for Susan. She broke down for moment when she found that her Journey bad been ln vain.
 Vow see here, Susle." argued her hrother-ln-law, Hank French; what use Is lt to ery7 Jane1l come racin home hke Maud s when she finds you're here. You stay right where you be-"
 So Susan did ns she was bid and visit cd with Jane's husband and hemmed Iane's napkins and made @ new kind Of pickle for Jane out of some overripe string beans
 But on the third day Jane concluded te 20 home. And on the third day Susan concluded to go home. And so-but thatl really the end of the story.
 "They're a fool invention to my mind them Iectric cars" said Jane Co her bus band.
 Susan dropped tears ln the bath as she bathed tho children.
 There's too many newfanglcd thing To these parts." she said to the ehildren. Next time your ma goes anywhere she'i goln Co drive the horses, and then maybe sheu git somethin that sho wants. ."-Chi' eago Tribune.
 Clearing the Houne.