Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-09

and to remain standing on the line exactly
avroSS the place where the frog was to be
laid. There it was to remain until the ap-
pLodch of train, when it was to run upon
1me turnout so as to allow the cars to pass
me moment they were out of the way, the
engine was to hurry back to it's position, and
stay like bulldog watching for prowlers
There could be no doubt that trouble was
coming, and the little place, which had been
chrlstened Frogtown, came to possess great
interest for miles around
Looking OFT over the country as the trains
went by, the laborers could be seen plying
pick and shovel with the industry of so many
beavers. They we're advancing rapidly from
both directions toward the rails, and the at
tempt, was certain to be made before the day
named by the court to hear the application
for an injunction.
The laborers continued steadily at work
The Midland Central watched them sharply,
but could discover nothing to cause misgiv-
ing The engineer of the waiting locomotive
was admonished to be unusually vigilant, and
ment train went by.
1t will be seen that so long as this freight
engine held that position, the frog could not
be laid The Northern Trunk would not
dare interfere with the running of trains, nor
did they wish to injure the locomotive itself
or to use violence toward the engineer
We keep them off until the twenti.
eth, remarked the president of the Mid
land Central, in the office of the directors a
Des Cartes. 81 have just come from Frog
town, and We are ready for them
And Just there the president made a slight
mistake.
The, eighteenth of October was dull, chilly
and dismal. The sky was filed with clouds
all day, and toward night a fine, drizzlina
rain began falling. When Jarvis Brintor
he looked off over the country, as was his
custom, to see how the Northern Trunk was
progressing.
1t struck him singular that while such
short time remained for work, only very
few men were busy But the Northern Truni
folks had reached the very line which mark.
ed the Midland Centrals right of way, and
the massive casting, set in framework, was
lying on the ground, ready to be placed in
position the moment the opportunity came.
Il suppose there is really very little to do. u
was the conclusion of Jarvis, as he steamed
away in the direction of Bayington.
When he returned, he reached Frogtown
Just before dark. A fine, drizzling mist was
in the air, and looking out of his cab, he
took more careful survey of the ground
than before.
Not laborer was in sight. The rain had
probably prevented them. though it wouJd
not have been the case had there been an
urgent call for their work; but the wet rails
were laid on either side almost to those ON
which "99' stood, and there seemed but one
thing to do-to lay the frog.
"Where are they alp" asked Jarvis Of the
engineer Of the freight locomotive which stood
Opposite him on the, turnout.
'The boss was down here after d;D1ar
when it began raining. He said It was too
wet for the men to work, and he was going
back to Readville to wait till tomorrosy
asked him whether the frog would be laid
then or next day. He winked and said he
reckoned there was no hurry about Il. -e
'Dont go to sleep, Hiram" warned Tar.
Wis 81 shouldn't wonder if sometime ;s
up. / think there will be music pretty &c., -
81 don't care if there isl said the other
"For., I'm getting tired of this stupid busi.
ness" "0''
A minute later Jarvis was off in the 5;,o,.
tion of Des Carries eS
While he was exchanging these words with
the waiting engineer, Ned Thatcher. the fire.
man man vas a. scanning AIMING the country on the other
Some two hundred yards off was n;aos
OF woods, which were the picture of d;sm.I
discomfort, as the moisture dripped fron,
their yellow leaves, and the gloom of tha
autumn night closed over the cheerless land.
scape -"Hu
But while looking toward the trees. Ned
rubbed his eyes and wondered wbetbs ~ fa
saw Alright. Behind the scraggly worn1e efe,,ne ne
which inclosed the woods, he saw someth;ne
boys were crouched behind the rails and ,oDr VI
and then cautiously raising their heads av% aD%
peeping over at the engine. In the gloo-,, Iu t9a
fireman could not see clearly, but he tnsw .ne
something queer was going on;
being laughed at for imagining such odd th;no'l ol
but leaning his head out of the cab u,;ndg' ;;nddhgs'
he gazed back over the darkeninp landnoW'
just as it was fading from sight he fsraSi
ne detected , scores OF shadowy figures hrsa hurry.
ing like phantoms across the open sna Try
"Well. IN be hangedT' he excaimapda xcSa space. e.
drew back his head and stared across as ne
at Jarvis, standing with his hand on tao th