The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-08-10


Der which was rudely broken by a con
fused noise Of men shouting, horses
stamping their feet, car doors being
slammed, and general uproar.
Il say, Tom, this Is a dandy car of
fruit" cried voice so near that. al
first, Ben thought some one was in the
car
Bet your life it's fne," another
voice replied.
LET me out of this hole!" yelled
Ben.
who in the dickens Is yelling, Bill?''
asked the first speaker.
Blamed II 1 know; some ones in
the Ice box, maybew was the reply ::
then he shouted, Where are your"
Shut in the Ice boxw Ben called
back.
Its tramp, Bill, and likely he's
locked in the ice box. l reckon you'd
better let the fellow out" said one Of
the men.
Il reckon so, too, Tom," Bill replied,
as he climbed to the roof Of the car.
ana lifted the hatch.
At first he could see nothing. but
presently he discerned the features of
white-faced boy, dirty, unkempt. and
almost at the crying point.
well, by crickets, son, how long
have you been shut in this boxY' cried
the man, as he reached down a helping
hand, and pulled Ben from his prison.
"since left Jackson, sir" answered
Ben.
"What-Jackson, Mississippi"
Les, sir. l believe the train was
delayed, for ought to have been here
long ago. I'm pretty glad to get out
of that hole. There's a whopping big
snake among the bananas" Ben de-
clared.
Snake? Nonsense, son, there's no
snake In the car" laughed the man, in
credulously.
"Yes, there's big fellow in the car:
l guess I've heard him hiss |" protested
Ben. But where's the depot? I've a
coat and suitcase there The agent at
Jackson telegraphed to have them left
at Memphis"
"See here, son. returned the man.
pushing Ben's cap from his face and
looking him sQuarely in the eye, where
do you think you areY
I'm Memphis; where should I be?"
replied Ben.
"Memphls!" shouted the man.
That's good one"
Am l not in Memphis, sirf" de-
nanded Ben, not understanding why
The man should make light of his as
sertion.
In Memphis? Not by FIVE hundred
niles; you are in Kansas City,"
kansas City," stammered Ben.
ITO be sure you are; but can't stop
o learn why you are. This car of ban
mas must be unloaded. Come down
md give us lift, and We'll talk while
we're unloading" the man concluded,
Is he crawled down the side Of the car.
While he assisted the men Ben told
II his adventure.
Il understand why you were locked
n the box" said Bill. .It's this way.
The l. G. refrigerator cars look like
alike. They are numbered In series:
ifty-two, fifty-four and ffty-fiye thou
'and. This car is ffty-four thousand
md slxty-three; is this the one the
messenger told you to get into?"
Il suppose it's the one have the
lumber on a card" replied Ben, taking
he card from his pocket. mo, I'm
wrong: the number is f1fty-four thou
and and sixty-nine!"
II knew It," exclaimed the man.
When you came from the lunch coun-
er you climbed into the wrong car:
on got into Kansas City car instead
( the one from Memphisl"
Serves me just right I" decared Ben.
l believe I don't know enough to 20
inside fathers back yard. But how'll
get my thingsY ---
That's easy; I'll have a messenger
ring them up tomorrow. But, how
bout that whopping big shaker"
uizzed Bill.
Hes over In the corner" replied
ZEN, indicating a certain spot "Get a
Tub to kill It'll"
mo, no, don't kill It; let's take II
live" returned Bill. tom, you yank
ut the bananas, while l catch II In
lis blanket"
Tom pulled the stems OF fruit from
he corner; but no snake was found.
en- was so positive that further search
as made and, sure enough, lying coiled
the floor, under the false rack, was
green-motted snake, two feet In
myth. :
There, what did tell you'll" cried =
en-, triumphantly. "How should YOU d
ke to be shut up with that fellowT" d
I'D rather. be excused" returned g
III. But l don't believe the critter =
ouid have bitten you; we often find II
axes In the cars. They crawl up the :.
EN- where the fruit grows and stay ~
ere until they reach the North"
Ben's troubles were now at an end ~
day or two after he received his be- II
ngings; his ticket was safe In his :,