The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-22

RNNG, OCTOBER q, 1905. s
BE offered the Of the forces by the mayor;
shout four hundred had gathered but there
than seventy musket with less than four rounds apiece
search Of shops disclosed the fact there
but ten pounds of good powder to be had. Now
Skinny to the rescue with the words he had
ct know where there's all the powder you want,'' he
said and he told Of the freight on the siding Despite
the broken truck it brought down the grade to the
station, and two barrels unloaded.
"Why not blow up the bridget suggested Will to
his grandfather in whisper which the judge overheard
eve may have to to that said the judge, turn
ing eve IL leave that to the last, tho Now must
throw up intrenchments and mount our two field pieces
Uniforms, by jngol'' said inside the
.Get them out said the judge .our forces must be
uniformed Hove those mounted scouts been sent out'
he added.
eyes, SIR said the mayor, Gan hour ago."
In short time the slope below Middleton presented
curious sight, four hundred boys dressed in
uniforms with shining brass buttons digging long
trench that stretched the railway track steep
bluff the east The old iron guns were in position
to command the bridge and the further bank The freight
car with two tons of gunpowder on board an
chored firmly in the center Of the bridge.
One was left at the bridge to fire the train OF
powder if the enemy advanced About four o'clock
very respectable fertilization had been made at the bot
tom of the HILL and the few guns distributed along
it. The little army paused to rest The and chill
dren had long ago been sent north the hills At
bridge; he closely followed by two others.
.sThe rebs are coming!'' they shouted Thousands
= of them" -.~-. =
In fact, almost at their heels cloud of DUST
and two three rode out the bank Of the
They appeared surprised at the line of earthworks
and the buecoas that here and there showed plainly
In few minutes more the bank was ineu with rebel
'twhy doesn't he light the fusee' said the
er-in-chief, nervously looking toward the bridge .
AS he spoke up the track from the bridge;
he turned and looked back two three times if
pecting something to happen But nothing happened
ut failed to go off, y said the man. out of breath,
he jumped into the trench. .-.- ..- :..- -.-.
The Judge scowed at him. 'sLet 20 that battery"
he said Commence fring.'' -. So.
At the first discharge of the old burst,
luckily hurting one and the struggling voney that
followed only showed to the enemy the weakness of their
opponents rebel with "a powerful field r glass had
was preparing to advance That evident.
Hang that fool', said the judge 1T bed, hsd kept
waited to strike match They could never ford the
river"
But he nor no one else had figure in uniform
much big for his small body steal the track
and crawl all tours down the embankment the
further side. All at once they saw him emerge into
sight and dive into the shadow of the BRIDGE 1t Will
Tevis
Just as the cavalry preparing to charge he
into sight again. running swiftly down the middle of the
track A faint smoke from the bridge entrance
several shots fired at him, but he came. The
intrenchments broke out in fame just there
terrific roar, bursting rendng sound, and the bridge
disappeared. Will Tevis in the i'll fitting uniform
hero The rebels forced to keep the other side Of
the swollen river but exchanged shots for time be-
fore they drew away. .--.
Coming up the hill late in the evening Hosmer and
Will met Skinny W Where have you beenY they asked.
cup in town, looking for drum Skinny replied,
flushing. "Wll, pologize for calm you 'fraid-
cat.''
The next day there was again no powder in the vii
lage; but Judge Black made speech which began, On
this glorious OCCASION ~. -et
81 wish had some fireworks for tonight" said
Hosmer, after the old veteran had concluded.
s'Never mind that, boys" said Grandfather Tevis,
who had overheard ''You boys had your Fourth yes
terday." -. --.
An Unexpected Answer.
itors to a jail found out. '
The party was escorted by the chief warden. They