The Red Cloud chief., 1905-05-05
blinds. That's Win Hibbard's. We're
just outside of Beaver"

"BcavCr? Elucidatc Beaver, boy
Beaver? Meredith, your informa-
ton ends at home. What do you know
of your own state IL you are ignorant
OF Beaver? Beaver is that city of Car
low county next in Importance and
population to- Plattvillc."
Tom put his head out of the window.
IL fancy you are right" he said. II
already see five people there
Meredith had observed the change In
sis companions mood. lie had watched
him closely all day. looking for II re-
urn Of his malady, but he came To the
conclusion that in truth Il miracle had
been wrought, for the lcthargy was
gone ond vigor seemed To increase in
Harklcss with every turn of the wheels
that brought them nearer plattvillc,
and he nearer they drew to plattville
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 ut Beaver. and
be wondered where they lived. us the
only building in sight was the station,
and to satisfy his curiosity he walked
out to the vCStibulc. The little station
stood in the woods. and brown leaves
whirlcd along the platform. one of the
five people was an old lady. and she or.
tered a rear car. The other four were
men. one of them handed the con
ductor n telegram. Meredith heard the
official say: "All right. Decorate ahead.
I'll hold il five minutes"
The man sprang up the steps of tho
smoker and looked in. He turned to
Meredith. do you know If that gen.
tlcman in the gray coat is Mr.. Hank
less: He's got his back this way, and
I don't want To go inside. The air In n
smoker always gives me II spell"
"Ycs. that's Mr.. Harklcss." :
The man jumped to the platform.
"All right, boys he said. rip her
OUT"
The doors of the freight room were
thrown open. and Il big bundle of col
orcd stuifs was dragged out and hastily
unfoldcd. one of the men ran To the
farther end of the car with II 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 drnpcd the vcstibules
with flags. 1t was all done In Il trice.
Mercdith's heart was beating fast.
"Nhat's it all abOut?' he asked.
"Picnic down the line" answered the
man in charge, removing a tack from
his mouth. He motioncd to the con
ductOr, eco ahcad!'
The wheels began to movc; 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.
"What's the celcbration?' asked
Harklcss when Meredith returned.
"Picnic down the line" said Mere
ditl.
chipping weather for Il picnic. A bi'
cool, don't you think? One of those fel
lows looked like n friend Of mine
!, Homer Tibbs, or rs Homer might looi
II he were in disgrace. He had his Ia
hung on his eyes. and he slOuclled Xix
; a thief In mclodrama as he tackled III
the bunting on this side Of the car
He continued to point out various
. familiar places, finally breaking on
enthusiastically as they drew neare
: the town: Hello! Look therc-beyOnt
the grove yonder! See that hOuse!'
"Yes, John"
> "That's the Bowlders'. You've got t
, know the Bowldcrs."
!, "I'd Ike to-"
: "The kindest people in the world
The BriscOe house we can't see becaus
-, it's so shut in by trees, and, besides, 1t
: a mile or SO ahead of us. Well 20 on
: there for supper tonight. Don't yo
like Briscoe? He's the best they make
Well 20 uptown with Judd Bennett !
= the omnibus, and you'll know how
: rapid fire machine gun sounds. ! wan
: to 20 straight to the Herald office" h
= finished, with II suddenly darkenin
brow.
, after all, there may be some eA
= planatiOn,'' Meredith suggested with
=, little hesitancy. H. Fisbee miGf
:. turn cut more honest than you think"
Harkless threw his head back an
laughed. Honest. a man in h pa
. of Rodney McCunc. Well, we can Il