Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-12-31

His every motion showed lean, quick,
pantherlike power.
"Let her went" replied the brake
man, rising as matter of course to
follow his chief.
The brakeman was stocky. short and
long armed. In the old fighting days
Michigan railroads chose their train
officials with an eye to their superior
deltolds. The two men doomed on the
noisy smoking compartment
"Tickets, please" clicked the con.
ductor sharply.
Most Of the men began TO tumble
about in their pockets. but the three
singers and the man who had been Of
fering the quart bottle did not stir.
"Ticket, Jack" repeated the con-
ductor. Come on. now"
The big bearded man leaned uncer.
tainly against the seat.
Now, look here, Bud" he urged in
wheeling tones, 81 amt got no ticket.
You know how it is, Bud. blows my
stakes" He fshed uncertainty in his
pocket and produced the quart bottle,
nearly empty. "Have drink
mo" said the conductor sharply.
"a right" replied Jack amiably.
Take one myself" He tipped the bot
tie, emptied It and hurled il through
window. The conductor paid no ap-
parent attention to the breaking Of the
glass.
"If you haven't any ticket, you'll
have to get off" said he.
The big man Strengthened up.
you go to blazes." he snorted. and
with the sole Of his spiked boot dcliv-
cred mighty kick Mt the conductors
thigh.
The official agile as wildcat leap
ed back, then forward and knocked the
man half the length Of the car. You
see, he was used to it. Before Jack
could regain his feet the official stood
over him.
The three men in the corner had also
risen and were staggering down the
aisle intent on battle The conductor
took in the chances with professional
rapidity.
Get at en- Jimmy" said he.
And as the big man finally swayed
TO his feet he was seized by the collar
and trousers in the grip known to
'bounccrs' everywhere, hustled to the
door, which some one obligingly open
ed, and hurled from the moving train
into the snow. The conductor did not
care d straw whether the obstrepcrous
Jack lit on his head or his feet, hit a
snow bank or pile of ties.
The conductor returned to find a roll
ting, kicking. gouging mass of kinet!c
energy knocking the varnish off all one
end of the car. A head appearing, he
coolly batted II three times against n
corner Of the seat arm, after which he
pulled the contestant out by the hair
and threw him into seat. where he
| lay limp. Then il could he seen that
Jimmy had "laspcd tight III his en-
brace a leg each of tho other two. He
! Rugged them close 10 his breast and
TANNED his face down against them TO
protect his features. They could pound
the top Of his head and welcome. The
only thing he really feared was kick
in the side and for that there vas
hardly room.
Tie conductor stood over the heap
at a manifest advantage.
You lumber jacks had enough, or dc
you want TO catch il plenty?'
The men. drunk though they were
realized their helplessness. They sig
nified they had had enough. Jimmy
thereupOn released them and stood up
brushing down his tousled hair with
his stubby fingers.
Now, is it ticket or bounceT' inQuir
ed the conductor.
After some difficulty and grumbline
the two paid their fare and that Of thu
third who was still dazed.
The interested spectators Of the LITTLE
drama included two men near tn
water cooler who We're perfectly sober
One of them was perhaps past the bes
OF life, but still straight and vigorous
His lean face was leather brown il
contrast 10 long mustache and heav.
eyebrows bleachod nearly white, hi
eyes were a clear, steady blue and hi
frame was slender. but wiry. He wor
the regulation mackinaw blanket coat
peaked cap with an extraordinar,
high crown and buckskin moccasin
over long stockings.
The other was younger, not NOR
than twenty-six perhaps, with the clea
cut regular features we have come t
consider typically American. Eyt
brOws that curved far down along tn
temples and eyclashes of darkness i
contrast to the prevailing note of hi
complexion combined TO lend him
rather breeding. soft and .nelanchol
air which a very cursory second el
animation showed to be fictitious Hi
eyes. like the woodman's. were steady
but inqurins. His jaw was square an
settled his mouth straight. Unlike tn
other inmates of the car he wore n
ordinary business suit, somewhat WORT
but of good cut and a style that Shove
even over the soft flannel shirt. TIL
trousers were, however, bound insid
the usual socks and rubbers.
. The two seat mates had occupie
their time each in his own fashion. III
elder stared straight before him an
spat with Il certain periodicity into tn
! center OF the aisle. The younge
stretched back lazily in an attitdue {
ease. Sometimes he smoked pip,
: Thrice he read over letter 1t wa
from his sister and announced her a
, rival at the little rural village in whic
= he had made arrangements for her