The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-05-07

handsome lace, but ne felC Ill at ease,
for he knew instinctively that he was
in danger. He had been sent by the
company to Griggsville when the
trouble began a month ago, to replace
the regular agent, who was suspected
of being in sympathy with the strikers
1t was a life of privation. Lafflin had
no friends nearer than at Lawndale,
the residence of Frank Carroll, a
wealthy lumber merchant and a heavy
stakeholder in the railroad company,
which also owned the coal mines. This
gentleman's house stood on the crest
of a hill nearly four miles away, and
thither George would trudge when his
work was done and forget his loneli-
ness in the agreeable society of Mr.
Carroll and his charming daughter,
Emma. 1t was, in foct, Emma who
reconciled him to his otherwise cheer
les routine.
Lafflin returned to his little Office in
the station and, calling up the head
quarters in Scranton, telegraphed that
the village was quiet. Soon afterward
the 2:30 local train stopped at the STA
ton for orders.
Things are in bad shape in Pitts
ton," said the conductor. Our train
was assaulted. We had to run the
gauntlet of sticks and stones. They say
that the Griggsville miners mean
trouble. Be on your guard"
Half an hour later message licked
over the instrument from Hidesboro,
eight miles further east. 1t said:
Miners have destroyed the freight
Office. Leaders are on their way to
Griggsville to stir UP the men,"
by Jove," said Lafflin, ''the matter
is becoming serious"
He took from the drawer of his table
new revolver and examined it care
fully. eff anything happens" he said,
1--WE two will stick by each other and
he slipped the weapon into his hip
pocket.
At that moment the door opened and
in came Emma and her father. George
sprang to his feet and greeted them
heartily.
eve came to warn you of danger"
said Mr. Carroll. my coachman was
in Griggsville at noon and learned that
the miners are bent on mischief. They
will infiict some damage on the COM
pany's property. I want you to come
to my house till the trouble is over"
George laughed why, the company
put me here to protect it's property;
not to desert it in time of danger"
THAT is true" assented Mr.. Carroll;
''but what can you do alone against a
maddened mob?'
'I'll do all can" said George, quiet
ly.
"But they may kill you," cried En-
ma, alarmed. ''You must not risk your
life!'
In vain did the merchant and Emma
plead Lafflin was inexorable.
ST must remain" he said, simply
"You are right, my boy" said Mr..
Carroll, rising and shaking George by
the hand. II admire you. Promise me
that you will send for me at once if
danger threatens"
George promised, and escorted his
visitors to their buggy. Then he re-
turned to his Office.
Presently the door of the station was
thrown open and Jim Mason, a boy of
II, rushed in. He was the son of the
widow with whom George boarded.
"Mr. Lafflin," he gasped, you'd bet
ter skip for your life! The men are
going to turn the coal cars on the sid
ing and the station tonight. They'll
be here by ten o'clock"
Lafflin turned shade paler. you're
a good boy said he, ''for letting me
know"
YES replied the boy; eff they
found it out they'd kill me. must be
going"
you can do me still greater fa-
vor, Jim. Garry message for me t.
Mr.. Carroll. It is important"
TIL do it. It's dangerous, but I like
you, Mr. Lafflin, and want TO help YOU )"
Good boy! I'll not forget your de-
votion."
Lafflin hurriedly wrote a few words
and gave it to the boy. Nov rum he
said, land don't stop till you reach
Lawndale."
The boy sped out into the night Laf-
fin licked off message to Pittston
which read:
Station in danger Send com
pany OF Pinkertons without delay"
Ten o'clock struck from the village
steeple, and the vicinity of the station
began to show signs of animation
Scores of lanterns glimmered in the
bushes near the track. Presently there
was a whirring round as of an approach
ing train-a warning whistle-and the
headlight of the 1912 express became
visible as it swung around the bend
Lafflin peered out into the night and
saw man at the switch trying to break
the lock with an axe. With a bound
he sprang TO the door and leveled his
pistol at the miner near the switch.
Drop that" he cried, ''or I'll shoot!'
A cry of rage arose from a score of
the men and volley of bullets flew
toward the station. None of them took
effect The man at the switch raised
his axe for final blow at the lock. In
another moment the switch would be
open, the express wrecked. A shot
flashed FROM Lafflin's revolver and the
miner sanF with groan, while his