Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-12-22
A SNOW BOUND SANTA CLAUS

The Pacific Overland express from
Omaha to the coast stopped short with
a slow, reluctant jerk. For over ten miles,
since noon, It had tried to make its way
through the snowbergs that lay in huge
drifts on the track, and now 1t gave up
the fight and rested at the eastern base
Of Great Bear pass.
Nell blew on the frosted window-pane
until she had melted a peep-hole to look
through.
Just mountains and mountains every
where" she announced dolefully, and
four other young Harrisons listened In
doleful sympathy. Christmas in a showed
up car would be something dreadful.
Its five o'clock now" said Max, land
the conductor says we won't be out be-
fore tomorrow, maybe, because they've
got to telegraph for snow-plow to
help us out"
on one seat Benny Rugged Tomikins
up close and they sobbed in united woe.
mo candy, or turkeys, or ballses, or
dollies. or anysing." cried Tomll1ins.
And no Santa Clauses too" added
Benny, with a fresh howl.
Even Jeanette, as big sister, felt the
tears gather slowly in her eyes, in spite
miles that lay between them and Silver
City.
win Santa Claus find us way out
here?" asked Nell
Sure he'll find u.s." promised Max,
valiantly. Hell make a Decline right
over the mountains with those ponies Of
his"
"Reindeerses," prompted Benny, sitting
up and taking an interest in life once
more.
Don't you suppose that papa's begin
ming to worry about us, Jeanie?" asked
Max.
Jeanette nodded her head. She knew
II she tried to talk she would curl up
in a heap like the twins and have a
good, hard cry.
At the end of the train, in the private
car, Pocahontas. sat John P. Ridley. 1t
did not please Mr.. Ridley that the Pacific
| Overland express should be held up by
a snow storm. He believed that prop
erly conducted railroad should be equal
to any snow storm.
He kept his private porter busy rum
ming back and forth through the train,
finding out what chances there were of
| getting through Great Bear pass that
night. 1t appeared that Mr.. Ridley was
especially anxious to get through that
| night for two reasons. The boxes and
numerous small pieces of baggage that
were stacked in one end Of the car ex-
| planned one Of the reasons. The ex-
| PLANTATION of the other Mr.. Ridley re-
served to himself, to the telegraph oper-
ator back at Barker Junction, and to
Warren, general manager Of the Lakota
mines in Silver City.
| He was sorry for Harrison. He was
hard worker and thoroughly compe-
| tent, but they needed a younger, quicker
| man as assayer at the Lakota mines.
Harrison was. II anything, too painstak-
ing. He experimental. Also, he was
strictly conscientious. II 1t had not been
| 10. t1a
he might have kept him; but a thing like
that needed a different sort of man. Not
that 1t wasn't square deal" He be-
lieved himself that the Sunset was a
good thing, and only half developed. but
so far the output had not justified the
price he had put on It. In case Of ques-
| lions asked by the buyers, he did moi
want exactly false report made by the
| assayer. but he did want a man who
could see beyond the specimens in his
hands. and who would look after the In
terests of his employer enough to prophe-
sy favorably for the future OF the Sunset
Harrison was not good at prophesying.
Therefore a telegram had gone forward
from Barker Junction which rendered the
position of assayer vacant. and Mr.. Rid.
ley was very anxious to arrive In Silvel
City in time to meet the new assayer from
Butte and instruct him on a few minol
points of prophesying, before the buyer.
|
When six o'clock came he had his pri
vate dinner prepared in his private
kitchen by his private chef, and he enjoyed
il as well as his dyspepsia would permi
him to enjoy anything, while in the car
ahead the general public rummaged IL
lunch boxes and baskets, and shared will
one another the remains OF cold CHECKER
and ham sandwiches In philosophical
merriment over the situation.
At half past eight Mr.. Ridley found hi
privacy growing monotonous. On Christ
mas eve in a snow bound train strande,
in the heart of the Rockies, privacy is
bore, and so Mr.. Ridley took a stroll
through the train.
He found relief for while in the smok
ing compartment of the first sleeper
There were several persons aboard tn
train who recognized the value of MI
Ridley as a fellow passenger, and wer
glad to make him welcome.
He had noticed in passing through tn
seepers, a rather noisy crowd OF young
sters who were singing, playing games
and otherwise having a very jolly time.
1t was after eleven when he left tn
smoking compartment On his way bac
through the cars the conductor met hir
and explained apologetically that tn
wires were down for several mile
: ahead In the pass, and 1t had been neces
sary to send back to Barker Junction /
, order to telegraph ahead for a snow pillow
It might be several hours before the
could go on-possibly not before the mex
! morning.
Mr.. Ridley was annoyed. AS he wer
| on through the narrow curtained aisle
Of the sleepers he felt vaguely resentfl
toward the whole system-railroad, sno
storm, passengers and alias a CON
y bined force of circumstances that coul
D detain man like John P. Ridley againi
0 his will Suddenly he stopped short bt
: fore section four in the third sleepe
n The two berths were made up, and the
/; were close quarters, too. In the upp'
5 one slept Max and the twins. Ben!
cuddled up crosswise at the foot, and
}, the lower berth were Nell and Jeanette