West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-07-03

The sun climbed higher. and still the
old men sat on the platform mourning
their fate. Suddenly Grnmper rose
stiiiiy to his feet. pulling Cappen up
after him.
"Looky yande," he exclaimed, point.
Ing excitedly up the road with his
cane.
Above the bank OF Pewee creek.
just where the railroad was Hung
across. arose cloud Of smoke that ey-
cry moment increased I'm volume. They
hobbled down the track to the bank
and peercd over. Where the great TIM
bers or the temporary bridge crossed
and recrossed iiames licked greedily mt
the dry. tinderlike wood.
Gramper pointed to n dry ledge OF
earth far below the upper bank.
Them tramps tbet left town this
mornin' slep' down thar las night an
must'ye built a fire fer breakfast See
how it's crep' frum thar all along them
beams till now mighty nigh the whole
things afire-'
Ian o. graciousw 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 mir.
Gramper suddenly clutched Cappens
arm.
Its n Judgment on this perversc an
stift necked gen'ratlon,' he exclaimed
dramatically. "Thet bridge'l be gone
by the time the 'xcursion trains In.
Pewee Corners is up at waxhaw with
the bobbycuc. but Metropolis an the
Nunitcd States senator an brass
bandit be here. AN it'll be our ccebra-
ton. Hip. hip. hoorny.' And the old
mans cane described triumphant cir.
Gle In the air.
y telegraph operator on the excur.
sion train finally explained the matter
TO Waxhaw. where N bored crowd was
impatiently waiting for the belated Wis.
itors. for town of 800 people cannot
do much entertaining IL the speakers
OF the day and the only brass band
are fifteen miles away on the other
side OF n 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 OH the whole IL was lone
some affair, and even the basbecue
failed to arouse much enthusiasm.
1t was well along toward evening
when the construction train. with Its
banners dropping, slowly backed UP
and stopped on the opposite side OF
Pewee creek. Tho crowd climbed down
the embankment TO the footbiidges
that were hastily improvised from the
seats used I'm the fat cars, the narrow
stream was crossed and dusty. de-
tectcd 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
improylsed seats. the excursionsts
from Metropolis. presenting marked
contrast TO the homecomers. so com.
Portable and good natured did they
look.
On the Platform was seated com
placent crowd-the rcsplendent brass
band. the United States senator whose
name had advertised tho Waxhaw eel
ebration, several local celebrities from
Metropolis and Cappen Carter. his chin
~
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 buffaioes
AS Gramper brought the exercises to
successful close Pewee Corners real
lied that the Impromptu occasion had
been success. aud It's dropping spirits
rose. and when the senator turned back
for another handshnke with Grmmper
and Cappen the two old cronies took
on new importance I'm 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 fer
the heroes who had risen TO the occa-
sion. This tribute Grampcr aclrowi
edged In dignified manner. adding
with some acerbity:
Now thet you hev seen what two
superannuaratcd old men can do. I
hope you won't be runnin' on wild
goose chases over the country, bnt'n
stay TO home an celebrate your own
town the way you'd orter."
"'Twus great day-a great day"
said Cappen as they hobbled down the
road I'm the dusk
yep, you bet II wus." affirmed
Grampcr II give them trnups my
Oldest boots an thet orn'ry brown wa.
mus thet ] ust TO wear at butcherin'
times. II ia know'd they wus goin'
TO hev thet accident under the bridge.
dino but I'd done more."