The Topeka state journal., 1906-03-31

stove !. but as Shockley, who stood in
front Of It. paid no attention to the
fusillade OF bullets good form prevent
ed others from dodging- FhaEn do;
get down. Come here, Chris" called
Shockley. Chris Oxen greatly disturb
ed. issued from an obscure corner.
Get down on your knees" exclaim-
ed tbs yardmaster. jerking Reynolds
with a chilly twist in front Of the
frightened Russian Get on your
knees. right where I threw your whis-
ky" And Shockleys crOWding Rey-
nolds down TO his humiliation, dropped
himself. and the shame and the abase-
Inent Of It were very great.
Boys. said the yardmaster, with
one restless eye on Reynolds and one
on everybody else, as he pointed at
Chris, this mans coat was burnt up.
Hes a poor devil. and his money comes
hard Chip in for new coat. I've
nothing against any man that don't
want to give but Reynolds must pass
the hat Take mine, you coyote
Nearly everybody contributed as
Reynolds went round. Shockley made
no comments. Count It,, he con-
tinued when the fallen monarch had
finished, and when the tale was made
Shockley told Pat Barlie to put in as
much more as the cap held, and he
did So
There, Chris; go home I don't like
you" added Shockley insolently turn-
lEZ on IfGEIlOlQS- I OU AOIl Know
what fun IS This town won't hold
you and me after tonight. You can
take it or you can leave II. but the first
time ever put eyes on you again one
OF US win cash In
He backed directly toward the front
door and out.
Peg Leg Reynolds took only the
night to decide; next day he hit the
trail The nervy yardmaster he might
have wiped out II he had stayed, but
~ L.
of Russian was something never TO be
wiped out in the annals of Benkleton.
Peg Leg moved on, and thereafter COW
boys took occasion to stop ShoclSley on
the street and jolly him on the way he
did the one-legged bully and the lights
we're shot no more.
The railroad men swore by thu new
yardmaster; the Russians took their
cigarettes from their mouths and
touched their caps when ShockleV
passed; Callahan blessed his name, but
little Chris worshiped him.
One day Alfabet Smith dropped off
at Benkleton from Omaha headquar-
ters. Alfabet was the only species of
west end spotter. who is that slim
fellow?" he asked of Callahan as
Shockley few by on the pilot-board of
an engine.
That's Shockley."
ooh, that's Shockley, is it?"
But he could say little things in a
way to make a man prick hot all over
Yes, that's Shockley. Why2" asked
Callahan, with a dash Of acid.
Nothing, only he's a valuable man.
He's wanted, Shockley is smiled AL
fabet Smith. but his smile would freeze
tears.
Callahan took it up short LOOK
here. Alfabet. Keep off Shoekley.'
why? Because you and will
touch, head on, If you don't"
Smith said nothing. He was used to
+ that sort The next time Bucks was
up his assistant told him of the incl
dent.
''If he bothers shoclzley.'' Bucks said
"we'n get his scalp. that's all. He'd
/ better look after his conductors and
leave our men alone"
''I notice Shockley isn't keeping his
frogs blocked continued Bucks, re-
verting to other matters. 'sThat won'l
do. I want every frog in the yard
blocked, and kept blocked, and tell hin
I said so"
But the frog blocking was not what
worried Shockley. His push was Il
December brought me. G stuff twice
over than was ever poured into tbs
front end yard before. Chris. though
had developed into a great switchman
and the two never let the work ge
So it came that Little Russia honoree
Chris and his big pay check abov'
most men. ShockIey stood first II
little Russia, then the car, then Chris
I then Callahan Queen Victoria ant
Bismarck might have admirers, bu
they were not in it under the bench.
When the Russian holidays came
down below, Chris concluded that tn
celebration would be merely hollow
without Shockley, for was not the yer.
existence of Little Russia due to him
All the growth, all the prosperity
what was it due to ? Protection. Wha
was the protection? Shockley. Thcr
we're brakemen who argued that pro
lection came from the tariff, but the
never made any converts in Little Rus
si6, where the Inhabitants could be in
duced to vote for president only on tn
assurance that Shockley was running.
well. what's the racket, anyhow
Chris?" demanded Shockley lazllv af
ter Cross Eyes, trying to get rid of tn
invitation to the festivities. had sput
tered switch English i've minutes Il
him.
I've got Chrismus by US" explaine
Chris desperately.
'Christmas," repeated shockle
grimly. "Christnas. Why, lnaI
Christmas don't come nowhere o
up your calendar. Where'd you &c
them shoes2"
Dollar sefenty-vife."
''Where2 %
+RubedO.
"And don't you know a switchma
oughtn't to put his feet in hatboats
Don't you know some day you'u &c
your foot stuck in a tongue or guard
Then where'n you be. Dutch, with
string Of fats rolling down on yot
eh ?"
However, Chris stuck for his reques
He wouldn't take no for an answer
Next day he tired Shockley out.
We'll, for Gods sake let up, Chris,
said the yardmaster at last. "I'll com
down awhile after % comes in Ge
back early after supper, and we
make up 55 and let the rest go"
It was a pretty night; pretty enoug
over the yard for anybody's Christina
Julian or Gregorian-no snow, but
moon. and a full one, rising early owe
the Arfkaree bluffs and a frost that b
and sparkled and the north wind aslee
in the sand hills.
Shockley after supper, snug in a pc