Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-04-06

edge of the county"
"Can this be true?" said Meredith
gravely.
81 wonder" said Harkless thought
fully a few moments later-"I wonder
why he had them changed around"
"Who changed around"
"The team. He always used to drive
the bay on the near side and the sor
rel on the off"
"And at present" rejoined Meredith
IT am to understand that he is driving
the sorrel on the near side and the bay
Oh the OFF,
That's it," returned the other. He
must have worked them like that fol
some time. because they didn't look
uneasy. They're all right about the
train, those two. I've seen them stand
with their heads almost against fast
freight. See there" He pointed to 8
white frame farmhouse with greer
blinds. That's Win Hibbard's. Weir
just outside of Beaver
Beaver? Elucidate Beaver, boy"
Beaver? Meredith, your informa
tion ends at home. What do you know
of your own state if you are ignoran'
of Beaver? Beaver is that city Of Car
low county next in importance ant
population to Plattville.'
Tom put his head out Of the window
81 fancy you are right" he said. Il
already see FIVE people there
Meredith had observed the change II
his companions mood. He had watchef
him closely all day, looking for re
turn Of his malady, but be came to the
conclusion that In truth miracle hae
been wrought, for the lethargy wa
gone and yigcr seemed to increase IL
Harkless with every turn Of the wheel
that brought them nearer Plattvillr
and the nearer they drew to Plattvillt
the higher the spirits Of both the young
men rose. Meredith knew what was
happening there, and he began to be !,
little excited. As he had said, there
were five people visible at Beaver, and
he wondered where they lived, as the
only building In sight was the station.
and to satisfy his curiosity he walked
out to the vestibule The little station
stood in the woods, and brown leaves
whirled along the platform. One Of the
five people was an old lady, and she en-
tered a rear car The other four were
men. One Of them handed the con-
ductor telegram. Meredith heard the
official say: "All right. Decorate ahead.
I'll hold 1t Eve minutes"
The man sprang up the steps Of the
smoker and looked In. He turned to
Meredith. do you know ii that gen.
tleman in the gray coat is Mr.. Hark-
less? He's got his back this way. and
l don't want to go inside. The air in
smoker always gives me spell"
Yes, that's Mr. Harkless."
The man jumped to the platform.
"All right, boys" he said. rip her
outv'
The doors of the freight room were
thrown open. and big bundle Of col
ored stuffs was dragged out and hastily
unfolded. One of the men ran to the
farther end of the car with strip OF
red. white and blue bunting and tack
ed it securely, while another fastened
the other extremity to the railing Of
the steps by Meredith. The two COM
panions of this pair performed the
same operation with another strip on
the other side Of the car. They ran
similar lines Of bunting near the roof
from end to end, SO that except for the
windows the sides Of the car were
completely covered by. the national col
ors Then they draped the vestibuies
with flags. 1t was all done In a trice.
Meredith's heart was beating fast.
whats 1t all about?' he asked.
"Picnic down the line" answered the
man in charge, removing tack from
his mouth. He motioned to the con-
ductor, go ahead"
The wheels began to move: the dec
orators remained on the station plat
form, letting the train pass them. but
Meredith, craning his neck from the
steps, saw that they jumped on the
last car.
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