West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-06-07

Ing on Reynolds You don't know
what fun is. This town won't hold
you and me after tonight You can
take it or you can leave IL. but the first
time | ever put eyes ON you again one
OF us will cash In
He backed directly toward tho front
Goor and out
Peg Leg Reynolds took only the night
TO decide; next day he hit the trail.
The ncrvy yardmaster he might have
wiped out II he had stayed. but the dis
grace OF knceling before the dog OF n
Russian was something never 90 DO
wiped out In the annals OF Benkleton.
Peg Leg moved ON. and thereafter cow
boys took occasion TO stop Shockley on
the street and Jolly him ON the way no
did the one legged bully, and the lights
We're shot no more
The railroad men sworc by the new
yardmaster: the Russians took their
cigarettes from their mouths and
touched their caps when Shockley pass
ed; Callahan blessed his name, but lit
tie Chris worshiped him.
One day Alfabct Smith dropped Off
at Bcnkleton from Omaha headquar-
tcrs. Alfabct was the only species OF
lizard on the payroll. He was tho
west end spotter "Who IL that slim
fellowr he asked OF Callahan as
Shockley few 10y on the pilot board of
an engine.
That's Shockley."
"Oh. that's Shoclkley. is III"
But he could say little things In
way 10 make n man prick hot all over.
"Yes, that's Shockley. Whyf" asked
Callahan, with dash OF acid.
Nothing, only he's valuable man.
He's wanted. Shockley is," smiled Al
fabet Smith, but his smile would freeze
tears
Callahan took II up short Look
here, Alfabct. Keep OF Shocklcy."
"WhyT
WHY Because you and will
touch, head on, II you don't"
Smith said nothing. He was used to
that sort. The next time Bucks was
up his assistant told him OF tho incl
dent.
III he bothers Shockley," Bucks said,
'we'll get his scalp, that's all. He'd
better look after his conductors and
leave our men alone"
81 notice Shockley isn't keeping his
frogs blocked" continued Bucks, re-
vcrting TO other matters. THAT won't
do. | want every frog IN the yard
blocked, and kept blocked, and tell him
said So"
But the frog blocking was not what
worried Shockley. His push was to
keep the yard clean, for the month OF
December brought more stun twice
over than was ever poured into the
front end yard before. Chris, though,
had developed into great swltchman,
and the two never let the work get
ahead
So Il came that Little Russia honored
Chris and his big pay check above
most men. Shockley stood first In
Little Russia. then the czar, then Chris.
then Callahan. Queen Victoria and
Bismarck might have admirers, but
they were not In II under the bench.
When the Russian holidays came,
down below, Chris concluded that the
celebration would be merely hollow
without Shocklcy. for was not the very
existence OF Little Russia due TO him? {?
All the growth, all the prosperity
what was IL due tot Protection. What
was the protectIon2 Shockley. There
were bra lcsmen who argued that pro-
lection came from the tariff, but they
never made any converts I'm Little Rus
sin, where the inhabitants could be in
duced TO vote for president only on the
assurance that Shockley was running.
"Well. what's the racket anyhow,
Chris" demanded Shockley lazily after
Cross Eyes, trying TO get rid OF the
invitation to the festivities, had sput-
tered switch English ave minutes at
him
I've got Chrlsmus by u.s." explained
Chris desperately.
christmas" repeated Shockley grim
ly. christmas. Why, man, Christ
mas don't come nowhere on earth In
January. You want to wind up your
calendar. Where'd you get them
shoesT"
DOLLAR sefenty-vIfe-"
"WhereT'
"Rubcdo."
"And don't you know switehman
OuRhtn't 90 put his feet I'm hatboats 2
Don't you know some day you'll get
your foot stuck I'm tongue or n guard 2
Then whcre'u you be. Dutch, with
string Of fats rolling down on you,
eh2"
However. Chris stuck for his request.
He wouldn't take no for an answer
Next day he tired Shockley out.
well. FOR Gods sake let up, Chris" 3"
said the yardmaster at last. an come
down awhile Hfter - comes in. Get
back early after supper, and we'n
make UP % and let the rest 60"
II was n pretty night; pretty enough
over the yard for anybody's Christmas.
Julian or Gregorian-no snow. but
moon. and full one, rising early over
the Arikarpe bluffs and n frost that bit
and spaTkled and the north wind asleep
IN the sand hills.
Shockley after supper, snug I'm o pea
Jacket aud storm cap. rode with tho
twitch engine down from the round
house. Chris. ln his astrakhnn rcefcr
md turban, walking over from the dug
ont I'm Rubedo's new shoes. nlpped the
iootboard at the stOckyard with almost
.he roll Of Shockley himself
Happily for Christmas IN Little Rus
STA % pulled I'm on time. but IL was long
and heavy that night 10 brought coal
and ties and the stun for the Fort
Rawllns depot and a batch Of bridge
steel they had been waiting two weeks
for mostly Cherry Creek stun, eleven
cars OF 10.
The minute the tired engine was cut
on the long train up ran the little
switch engine and snapped at the head
less monster like q coyote.
out came tho coal with ciatbeR
There won't be enough Re-
publican leaders free from the fraud