The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-07-02
down the narrowing rails toward the

down the narrowing rails toward the
disappearing train.
81 s'pose they think tibet no one ever
he'd railroad before" asserted Gram
per. "They net es II they owned tract.
train an the hull caboodle."
People amt like they ust to be"
said Cappen plaintively. They're light
minded an Unstable. They don't know
who they're celebratin'. but It's any
thing fer frollc, an farmin' may go
to the dogs"
AN they're goin' to hev a whole
on an a Nunited States SENATOR" I'll.
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
stitiiy to his feet, pulling Cappen up
after him.
"Looky yander" 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 pcered over. Where the great tim.
bers of the temporary bridge crossed
and recrossed flames licked greedily at
the dry, tlnderllke wood
Gramper pointed to n dry ledge of
earth far below the upper bank
Them tramps tibet left town this
mornin' step down thar las night an
how It's crep frum thar all along them
beams till now mighty nigh the whole
things afire"
Ian o. gracious" calculated Cap
pen, all his spite at the new railroad
swallowed up In the face of this calam-
ity. "Ain't tibet too scand lousg'
Just then, from far up the eastern
stretch of track. n whistle cleft the air.
Gramper suddenly clutched Cappen's
arm.
Its Judgment ON this perverse an
stiff necked gen'ratlon" he exclaimed
dramatically. Tibet bridge'll be gone
by the time the 'xcursion trains In.
Pewee Corners is up at Waxhaw with
the bobbycue. but Metropolis TN the
Nunited States senator an brass
bandit be here. an it'n be our ceiebra-
ton. Hip, hip, hoorayT And the old
mans cane described triumphant cir
Gle in the air.
A telegraph operator on the excur-
sion train finally explained the matter
II
impatiently waiting for the beated Wis.
itors, for town of 300 people cannot
do much entertaining If the speakers
of the day and the only brass band
are fifteen miles away OH the other
side of burned out bridge. The nd
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 1t was a lone.
some affair, and even the barbecue
failed TO arouse much enthusiasm.
| 1t was we'll along toward evening
when the construction train, with Its
banners dropping, slowly backed NJ
| and stopped on the opposite side OF
| Pewee creek. The crowd climbed down
the embankment TO the footbridges
! that were hastily improyised from tn,
seats used In the fiat ears, the narrow
stream was crossed ana 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 eXcurslonists
from Metropolis. presenting u marked
contrast to the homecomers, so com
Portable and good natured did they
look.
On the platform was seated com
placent crowd-the respondent brass
band, the United States senator whose
name had advertised tho Waxhaw Gel
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
with the Indians and buffaloes.
As Gramper brought the exercises to
n 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 will for
the heroes who had risen to the occa-
sion. This tribute Gramper acknowl.
edged in dignified manner, adding
with some acerbity:
Now tibet you hev seen what two
superannuarated old men can do,
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 tibet orn'ry brown wa
mus tibet | ust to wear at butcherin'
times. IF I'd know'd they WIS goin'
TO hev tibet accident under the bridge.
| dino but I'd done more"
Webster's Apostrophe 70 the Flag,