The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-05-15
In they troopea. and ouatr. s..s

NO sooner were the miners safely on
gagged with their coffee than heard {
great noise Of bells and Of men shout
ing. and on reaching the street I sav
that the men from the lumber camT
were coming In. Two immense sleighs
decorated with ribbons and spruce
boughs, each drawn by four hors(
team gayly adorned. filled with some
fifty men, singing and shouting with
all their might, were coming down the
hill road at full gallop. Round the cor.
ncr 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 naturedly,
making himself agreeable to Sandy
and those who were helping to unhitch
his team. ~
"Oh. 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.
Oats too bad, behY 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 I
knew he was playing Brer 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."
Bon! OATS fuss rate" said Bap.
tlste heartily. "Where you keep him p
up in the tent next the church
there. The miners are all in"
"Ah! OATS SO? OATS bad news for
the shanty men. heh, SandyT said the
little Frenchman dolefully.
! 'There were a clothesbasket full Of
doughnuts and boiler of coffee left
as passed just now." said Craig en-
couragingly.
"Allons, mes garcons. yite! Never
say keel" cried Baptiste excitedly,
stripping of the harness. ~.
But Sandy would not leave the horses
till they were 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 80 unimportant as eating. That
he considered hardly worthy even Of
Baptiste. Mr.. Craig managed to get
a word with him before he went of,
and l saw Sandy solemnly and en-
phatically shake his head, saying: AsAh,
we'll beat him this dayv" And gath.
cred that he was Gdded to the vigilance
committee. ...t r.s 10. .EA. !.
CID man Nelson was busy with his
own team. He turned slowly at Mr..
Craig's greeting. "How is 1t, Nelson?"
And It was with very grave voice he
answered: s.,,,.,..-,- -..-.--,.s..... ..uus.s..,
Il hardly know, sir. but am not
gone yet. though II seems little to hold
to-"
"All you want for a grip is what your
hand can cover. What would you have!
And. besides. do you know why you
are not gone yet?'
The old man waited, looking at the
minister gravely.
Because he hasn't let 60 bis grip of
you"
"How do you know he's gripped mey
Now, look here. Nelson, do you want
to quit this thing and give 1t all up"
mo, motor heavens sake, no! Why,
do you think have lost itT said Mel.
son almost piteously.
"Well, he's keener about It than you,
and Ill bet you haven't thought It
worth while to thank him."
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, q
light growing In his eyes.
"You're right! Thank Ged, you're
rightv' '...tt a. a.
And then he turned quickly away and
went INTO the stable behind his team.
4 was 4 minute before he came out
Over biz face there was q trembling
~ e: 80 - a'' - s'-siaii >
Cant do anything for you todayr'
be asked humbly. sr- - sss's a ..
''rndeed you Just can" said the min