The San Francisco call., 1905-06-18

strike mountain pay at Cheyenne. The
worst Srandmammy road in the country,
the third assistant TO the second call boy.
il bis mother cooks for any of the royal
family. draws more water than the super
intendent.' II stood for the engine and
should have had 1T said, you can
only give ME my tins The coupling
was made when they pulled them apart"
- asked him if he intended to work sig
mails or not"--were snatches of the conver-
satiOn that 5rfted along the table. To
John it haJ the fascination of all pertain
ing To this marvellous wide fbrC athlng life.
AS these modern vikings recited their sa-
gas. the old Morse blood sang over his
wrists-places to him but meaningless
blur on the map were to these fellows
only landmarks on a familiar trail, and
as the quick words ran on, he followed 10
Mexico. Canada. and all the centers Of
whirling activity with the eNer-increas-
ing delight CT enchantment.
Scranton sat silent at the foot OF the
table but John noticed at every football
in the hall. or slam of door, AN eager. ex-
pectant look flash over the impassive face
and wondered If he, too. was under the
spell of the young devil.
Supper was nearly over when the fell
low who had previously commented upon
Scranton started TO address him, but
changing his mind. looked at Howe, who
sat opposite; then, in impudent, sneer-
ing voice, said
Say. you fellow, with the mug of
sky pilot, where did you run in FROM"
Howe quietly answered, giving the re-
euired information correctly; but the
courtesy only seemed to encourage the
bully to further insults. An Eastern
man usually succeeds better in herding
calves than cars in this country" he
continued. adding, where did you pick
up your mullet-headed partner"
Howe noticed Johns great hand close
with an almost audible snap. but. kick
ing his foot, answered, From Virginia
oh came the contemptuous answer,
"a cussed rebel or the son of one
Then happened thing that Howe
never forgot. He saw Gray rise slowly,
his face like an icy mask, and when.
amidst the surprised silence, he stretched
forth restraining hand, it was thrown
back with a savage, dislocating jerk,
while a new, strange voice, said sternly:
That will DO, Mr.. Howe; this is my
job"
AS he walked slowly around the table
heads were raised in surprised wonder
and mingled resentment-the rebellion of
a "greeny" was usually put down by
concerted action-but while a few at
tempted to rise, none did so-a look at
the set face and straight lips, incar-
nate vengeance, was enough. Passing
Scranton, Gray walked to where his in
sulter sat. Stretching out his hand he
laid it upon the shrinking shoulder; then
for a moment stood gazing silently down
into the frightened eyes. To Howe, sit
ting opposite, came an old reminiscence.
When a boy he had, in a dark swamp,
encountered "a rattlesnake; a heavy pole
quickly pinned the enraged serpent to
the ground; then, boy-like, he had
knelt at a close distance to further
tantalize his terrible captive; now
as he looked upon the scene before him
a shuddering sense of similarity swept
along his spine; the concentrated men,
ace of the poise of the head and deadly
gleam of eye was terrible akin; again
swept over him chill knowledge of the
near presence of death. With an odd
jungle of a strained arrow-like head.
sweeping laurel, he heard Johns steady
voice say:
"Stand up. L wish to talk TO you What
is your name? Well, Mr. Long"
Casting an appealing look along the
table Long with blanched cheek and
hanging jaw obeys. A heavily built
young man who sat next. arises, saying:
- greeny must want to run the
house" steps up behind him.
As Howe kicks his chair back vi
brant voice from the foot of the table
rings out: ''Sit down. The first man
that lips in deals with me-" and Scran-
toms heavy fist clashes on the table; i'm
the ensuing silence Gray lays his hand
again on Longs shoulder then in the
low. gentle voice of a father chiding an
erring child, says:
Mr.. Long, the remark you made a
moment ago is one I cannot pass by. NY
father was a Confederate soldier and a
good one, too. I, as his son and a son of
Virginia. believe that he and his COM
radeS very far from heip1 rehalc
only men, acting upon a deep conviction
or rlght-one of the rare epochs of the
world. when conscience made as naught,
wealth, station or personal consideration.
Probably you can understand how l take
II when, in addition to contempt you ap-
ply a curse to them Now when / first
got UP ii was with the intention Of
here the hand closed viciously upon the
shoulder. while the thumb strayed to-
ward the shrinking Misunderstanding
your neck, but / cannot do It. you are a
coward and stink and as such are
tabooed to a gentleman. But remember
this, il you were to disgrace this earth
Until your hair becomes as white as your
heart you will never stand closer to death
than you have in the last few minutes
Under the strange magnetism of the
low blasting words every face blanched
as though brushed by the visible trail of
the sable robe" Turning, his eyes full
upon Nanny" who from her seat at
the head of the table was regarding him
In breathess excitement, a wave of con-
triton swept over his face as in boyish
appeal he said. Pardon me, madam for
the language | have used in your pres
ence. I'm sorry to say 1 forget every
thing a moment ago; it will not happen
again"
81 rather think mott" thought Howe.
Nanny" arose, then with flushed
cheek stood leaning on the back of her
chair
my boy" she answered with a new
dignity that sat well upon the massive
shoulders. you did right. / say black
shame upon the boy who would do other
wise when his father is cursed before
him; as to you, Long, extending great
hand toward him. "git yer duds together
and skin out of here quick the devil
will let you, and If ye have any friends III
the gang let them go with you.'
Long arose, ran his eyes along the
table, but ali remained seated, then
turning he passed out alone
John felt a hand upon his shoulder
Turning, he looked directly into pair of
deep eyes He had heard his father tell
of men who believed that imprisoned