Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-09
HCaptain In
 tbe Ranks
By GEORGE CARY EccLEsToN
OspSvtoht. lo0l, by 4. s. Bdrnes 4 O., pxbJtshers. B6 Eth Avenue.
 NeW Fork

6Cr0ln 0dQ aC last begun 10 Lell, even upon his resolute spirit. For three days and nights now he had not slept. For three days and nights he had not sat down. For three days and nights he had been wading in water and struggling in mud and exhausting all his resources of mind and character in efforts to stimulate the men to con tinued endeavor.
 He was playing for . tremendous stake. as we know. His career, his future, all that he had ever dreamed of of ambition, hung upon success or fail ure in this undertaking, and now at last and in spite of his heroic struggle failure stared him in the face.
 And apart from these considerations of self interest there were other and higher things to be thought of. If he failed now an enterprise must be lost in which he had labored for year to induce others to Invest millions.
 At last this resolute man whose cour- age had seemed unconquerable was discouraged.
 Might as well give 1t up," said Will Hallam. ''The men simply will not work any longer"
 Tt isn't case of will not, but of cannot" answered Duncan.
 Barbara heard all as she lowered over the fire of logs and busted herself with her tasks regardless of rain and weariness, regardless of every consid- eration of self. She wore no wraps or protection of any kind against the tor rents of rain. "They would simply bother me-" she said when urges to protect her person. Her face was flushed by the heat of the fire, but otherwise she was very pale, and her tightly compressed lips were livid as she straightened herself up to answer Duncan's despairing words.
 "You are wrong" she said. "They can work little longer If they will. It Is for us to put will Into them. Call them to the fire. dozen or twenty at time, for breakfast. I've something new and tempting for them-something that will renew their strength. You and Captain Hallam and MT. Temple must do the rest"
 A dozen of the men had already come with their tin cups to drink again of the strong coffee that Barbara had been serving to them at intervals throughout the night She had some thing more substantial for them now.
 She had by her barrelful of batter, and she and the negro boy, Bob. each with two large frying pans. were mak- ing griddlecakes with astonishing ra- pidity. To each of the men she gave one of the tin plates with half dozen of the hot cakes upon 1t, bidding each help himself to molasses from the half bdrrel.' From which for convenience. of ladling Bob had removed the head.
 This is breakfast" she said to the men as they refreshed themselves. 'There'll be dinner. and good one. ready when the work is done"
 The men were too far exhausted to greet her suggestion with enthusiasm. The few words they spoke in response were words of Encouragement and even of despair. They did not tell her that they had decided to work no more. but she saw clearly that they were on the point of such decision. The she was serving comforted them and gave them some small meas ure of fresh strength, but it did not give them courage enough to overcome their weariness. The girl saw that something more effective must be done.
 She puckered her forehead quizzical- ly-after her manner when working out . problem in arithmetic. After a It. tie the wrinkles passed away. and. lift ing her eyes for a moment from her frying pans, she called to Captain Hallam: :.
 Would you mind coming here . she asked.
 The man of affairs responded weari- ly. but promptly.
 "what is 1t. Barbarar
 May I spend 5000 if I get this job done by noon7 That's the last min ute. Mfr. Duncan tells me-"
 But how can you
 "Never mind how. May I have the s2.Oooy
 "Yes-twenty thousand-any amount, If only we succeed in pushing that car on rails across the county line before the clock strikes 12"
 "yery well. I'll see what can do. l Mir. Duncan. can you cook griddle. cakesT'
 Happily. yes" answered he. I'm m old soldier. you know"
 "very well. then. Please come here md cook for a little while-just till I | get back. I won't be long,"
 Duncan took command of her two Irving pans. A little amused smile ap- ,eared on his face as be did SO in spite ,f his Encouragement and melancholy. But to the common sense and sincerity | ,f the girl there seemed nothing lu- iicrous In setting him thus to the un- iignified work Intent upon her she darted away to where the 'everal gangs of men were still mak- ng some pretense of working. To each .ang she said:
 I've got s2.oo0 for you men if you tick to your work and finish 1t before loon today. I'll divide the money 'Qualiy among all the men who stick i t will be s10 apiece or more. Of 'ourse you'll get your triple wages be- ides. VIII you keep 1t upi It's only or . few hours more.-
 Her tone vss ezger and her manner