The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1905-01-14

] II
u crawling over badly laid
track that led toward the Saginaw
valley. The whole affair was very
crude. To the edge OF the right OF
way pushed the dense swamp, like a
| black curtain shutting the virgin coun-
try from the view OF civilization
! Across the snow were tracks or an.
/ imals
The train consisted OF n string or
freight cars. one coach divided half and
half between baggage and smoker. and
day car occupied 10y two silent, awk-
ward women and child. In the smok-
or loungcd a dozen men. They were OF
various sizes and descriptions. but they
all wore heavy blanket macklnaw
coats. rubber shoes and thick German
socks tied at the knee. The air was
so thick with smoke that the men had
difficulty in distinguishing objects
across the length OF the ear.
The passengers sprawcd IN various
attitudes. and their occupations were
diverse. Three nearest the baggage
room door attempted to sing, but with
! out much success. A man In the cor
ner breathcd softly through a mouth
organ, TO the music OF which his seat
mate. leaning his head sideways. gave
close attention One big fellow with a
square beard staggered back and
forth down the aisle Offering 20 every
one rcfrcshment from quart bottle
1t was rarely refused or the dozen
| probably three-qunrters were more or
less drunk.
After time the smoke became too
dense short, thickset fellow with
an evil dark face cOolly thrust his heel
through window The conductor
who, with the brakeman and baggage
MASTER was seated In the baggage van
heard the Jingle OF glass. He arose.
Guess I'll take up tickets" he NJ.
marked. Perhaps II will quiet the
boys down little"
The conductor was a big man. raw.
boned and broad. with hawk face.
His every motion showed lean. quick.
pantherlike power
let her went" replied the brake
man. rising as matter OF course to
follow his chief
The brakeman was stocky, short and
long armed In the old lighting days
Michigan railroads chose their train
officials with an eye 10 their superior
dcltoids The two men doomed on the
noisy smoking compartment
Tickets. please" clicked the con
ductor sharply.
Most Of the men began 10 tumble
| ~ la. 4.t
singers and the man who had been Of
fcrlng the quart bottle did not stir.
Ticket Jack" repeated the con
| ductor. Come ON. now
The big bearded man leaned uncer
tainly against the seat.
NOV. lool, here, Bud" he urged IN
whoedling tones. ~ amt got no ticket
You know how Il Is. Bud. ! blows my
stakes" lie hshcd uncertainty IN his
pocket and produced the quart bottle.
nearly empty. Have a drink
NO" said the conductor sharply.
a. right" replied Jack amlably.
Take one myself" lie tipped the bot.
tie cmpticd Il and hurled Il through
window. The conductor paid no APP
parent attention 10 the breaking Of the
glass.
"lr you haven't any ticket you'n
have 10 get or. said he.
The big man Strengthened up.
you go TO blnzes.' he snortcd. and
with the sole Of his spiked boot deliv-
cred a mighty kick at the conductors
thigh
The official. agile as a wildcat. leap
cd buck, then forward and knocked tho
man bali the length 81 the car. You
see. hc was used o. H. Before Jack
could regain his feet the official stood
over him.
The three men in the corner had also
risen and were staggering down the
aisle intent on battle The conductor
took In the chances with professional
rnpidlty.
"Gct nj EN-. Jimmyr' said he.
And MS the big man finally swuycd
TO bis feet he was seized hy the collar
ana trousers IN the grip known 90
"bounccrs" everywhere. hustled 10 the
door. which some one obligInFly open
ga, and hurled from the moving train
( Into The snow The conductor did not
care straw whether The ohstfrpcruns
Jack llt on his hcud ST. his feet. hit
snow bank or pile of ties
Tie conductor returned 20 find roll
Ink kicking. Rouging mass of kinctlc
energy knocking the varnish on nli one
end n tie car 4 head appearing. he
coolly batted Il three times against a
corner 81 the seat arm. after which he
pulled the contestant out by the hair
AMI threw him into a seat. where he
lay limp. Then II could be seen that
Jimmy had clasped tight in his en-
brace q leg each Of the other two. lie
Rugged them close 20 his breast and