The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-06-20

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The owners of the sunken,. steams
Z. death list of sixty-fve, will make
The above is an authentic picture of t
of the Sierras, splendid hill 1000 feet
long, slippery as glass, and at SO sharp
al angle that man could not ascend it;
and cnce on it with skis, it was a race
out onto gradual slope into the valley,
where the little village lay buried. Ev-
cry town or village in Piumas and Sierra
counties of any pretensions had ski
club, and many Of the members We're ex-
perts who had performed wonderful
club was on hand at the top of the CLASSY
slide, while an admiring crowd of men.
women and girls looked on: The curious
Norwegian snowshoes, which were eight
feet long. four inches wide and half an
inch thick, were being given their final
polish. every contestant having his espe-
cial dope" which was his secret. Apart
from the others stood Long Barton strap
ping on his skis. which had polish such
as had never been seen before; they
cleaned in the sun with dazzling bril-
lance. If dope counted there were
those, who believed that ''Tanglefoot"
would win.
The first signal was given, and the
men lined up. their long skis extended
forward, and their bodies in various po-
sitions. Each racer bore Il long staff,
or starter: some held it on ono side. some
between their legs, while others extend
ed it ahead: and as the word was given,
iected himself down the terrific slide.
They shot over the edge like a wave of
water over a fall. and seemed to rush
into space, then sank so rapidly from
view that they were gone before the eX
cited lookers-on realized it. The speed
increased rapidly, and in ten seconds was
like that Of a fast trotter; at fifteen it
was equal to the fastest train of cars,
and at twenty the best men were hold
ing their breath. as it was impossible to
breathe at such speed, and the slightest
swerve would send them off the track.
From the side the scene was a. frightful
one, as it was hard to believe that human
beings could preserve their position and
not be dashed to pieces under such ex-
treme velocity. But tine inc swept on,
a few Of the racers surging ahead. Half
way down. and four are in advance; two
thirds, and one tall figure is leading.
It il; Long Barton: He is rushing
is CARRYING him on to victory. He knew
it; his teeth were set: his heart was in
his mouth-the goal was just ahead.
Then something happened: he swerved
a tenth Of an inch; piece Of ice caught
the channel of his polished ski: perhaps,
and the next second the line Of racers
rushed like the wind by figure rolling
| over and over. its legs, arms and long
skis seemingly tangled in a hopeless knot.
''Tanglefoot'' had lost again, and the
loud laughter and gibes Of the specta
tors rang in his ears as, haif-stunned,
he slid to the bottom and picked himself
up. To their credit, the winners did not
th6, hC
Barton took Off his skis, and avoiding
them, walked over the snow and was lost
to sight in the chute that led to his home.
That night as was the custom, there
was ball, and at the earnest wish of
his mother Long Barton went. But he
sat by the stove and watched the merry
makers, knowing we'll that he was the
butt Of them all. Late at night. while
he still looked ON. a crowd gathered at
the door around man who had just ar
rived--Reel Stacey, the stage-driver.
Hope. you folks has extra spices on
your chimneys and flags out" he said.
Its banked fifty feet at Evans. and the
thirty-foot marks on the pines are COW
cred, and it's showing like it will never
stop. But that's not what l come for"
he continued. unrolling bundle, blanket
| after blanket, and producing a baby that
looked up at the men with wondering
| gaze.
"A baby!' they shouted in chorus, and
half dozen arms reached for the child
Hold ON, boys said the driver; :'busi-
| ness first. This is Jim Grayson's baby;
his wife died last night, and he's fiat On
snow, and there amt. any milk in this
town but this" and the old driver held
| up quart bottle Now, the doctor
says that. the only thing to save the baby
is to get it out where there's milk; if we
! don't it will starve"
Why; Reel" said the storekeeper, in
mountains in such a storm" '.'
stage-driver, land I haven't the nerve to
| try it: know what it is-a mans life
| against tine kids. But said I'd state
the case. He's a newcomer at Sierra
he got here and can't get away"
ITS fifty miles to milk if it's foot"
remarked a red-whiskered miner in the
group; won't bread and water do?'
1T might for SOME" retorted the
driver, but this babX's not built that
touch anything else;: THEY'VE Been trye
ing, it for days. Is there any man here
that can suggest anything:". and the
speaker raised his voice. -
| Every miner, present knew that it was
| impossible to get out Of the mountains,
even if it was not showing, until the snow
! and faces of men who had met death try
ing to cross the Sierras in storms, and
for few moments no one answered;
then, as the driver pulled the blanket
over the little figure, which he held closer
| to his breast, voice said:
..'Well, if the baby wants milk she's
going to have it; don't you forget it,
boys" and Long Barton edged through
the crowd and. took the child in his arms.
He rolled it UP in the coverings the
stage-driver had taken off; then he pulled
men to the door, went ont into the storm.
'"Wellr' exclaimed Reel Stacey, 'I'd
have picked Tanglefoot the last one for
such proposition; but. boys, we've mis-
took him: he's, got sand, for he's goin'