Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-11-27

that the men from the lumber camp
were coming in. Two immense sleighs,
decorated with ribbons and spruce
boughs. each drawn by four horse
team gayly adorned, filled with some
fifty men, singing and shouting with
all their might, We're coming down the
hill road at full gallop. Round the cor
ner they swung, dashed at full speed
across the bridge and down the street
and pulled up after they had made the
circuit of block, to the great admira-
ton of the onlookers Among others,
Slavin sauntered up good naturally,
making himself agreeable to Sandy
and those who were helping to unhitch
his team.
ooh. you need not take trouble with
me or my team, Mike Slavin. Batch
ees and me and the boys can look after
them fine" said Sandy coolly.
This rejecting of hospitality was per-
fectly understood by Slavin and by all.
"Dat's too bad, heh?" said Baptiste
wickedly. "And, Sandy, he's got good
money on his pocket for sure too"
The boys laughed, and Slavin, join
ing in, turned away with Keefe and
Blaney, but by the look in his eye 1
knew he was playing Br'er Rabbit and
lying low.
Mr.. Craig just then came up.
"Hello, boys! Too late for Punch
and Judy, but just in time for hot cof-
fee and doughnuts."
URnn1 nof5c TO coi1
tiste heartily. "Where you keep him 2"
Cup in the tent next the church
there. The miners are all in.''
"Ah! OATS SO? OATS bad news for
the shanty men, heb, Sandy?" said the
little Frenchman dolefully.
"There were clothesbasket full Of
doughnuts and boiler Of coffee left
as passed just now" said Craig en-
couragingly.
"Allons, mes garcons. vite! Never
say keel" cried Baptiste excitedly,
stripping off the harness.
But Sandy would not leave the horses
till they We're carefully rubbed down,
blanketed and fed, for he was entered
for the four horse race, and it behoov-
ed him to do his best to win. Besides.
he scorned to hurry himself for any
thing so unimportant as eating. That
he considered hardly worthy even of
Baptiste. Mr.. Craig managed to get
a word with him before he went off.
and saw Sandy solemnly and en-
phatically shake his head. saying: "Ah.
We'll beat him this day" And gath
cred that he was added to the vigilance
committee.
Old man Nelson was busy with his
own team. He turned slowly at Mr..
Craig's greeting. 'How is it. Nelson?"
And it was with very grave voice he
81 hardly know. sir, but l am not
gone vet, though it seems little to hold
to-"
Cali you want for grip is what your
hand can cover. What would you have?
And, besides, do you know why you
are not gone YETI"
The old man waited, looking at the
minister gravely.
Because he hasn't let go his grip of
you"
"How do you know he's gripped me-"
"Now, look here Nelson, do you want
to quit this thing and give it all up"
No. motor heavens sake, no! Why.
do you think have lost it?' said Mel
son almost piteously.
"Well, he's keener about it than you,
and I'll bet you haven't thought it
WOW To I, h;
ITO thank him." he repeated almost
stupidity. "for"-
For keeping you where you are over
night" said Mr.. Craig almost sternly.
The old man gazed at the minister, a
light growing in his eyes.
you're right! Thank God, you're
righty'
And then he turned quickly away and
went into the stable behind his team.
1t was u minute before he came out.
Over his face there was a trembling
Joy.
"Can't do anything for you today?"
he asked humbly.
Indeed you just can" said the min
lister, taking his hand and shaking it
very warmly. and then he told him
Slavin's programme and ours.
SANDY is all right till after his race.
After that is his time of DANGER" said
the minister.
"I'll stay with him, sir, said old Mel
son in the tone of a man taking a cove
nant and Immediately set off for the
| coffee tent.
Here comes another recruit for your
corps" said, pointing to Leslie
Graeme, who was coming down the
street at that moment in his light
sleigh.
81 am not so sure DO you think
you could get him."
laughed You are good one"
We'll" he replied half detiantly
sis not this your fight too?"
"You make me think so. though
am bound to say hardly recognize
myself today. But here goes" Ant
before knew it was describing oul
plans to Graeme. growing more anG
more enthusiastic as he sat in his
sleigh, listening with a quizzical smile
I | didn't quite like