Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-04

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reluctantly. Through the gloom that
curtained the cab they saw other dim
forms Undertaking. and climbing ST.
lently on to the cars behind; then,
as the steam-gauge touched the mark,
the word was given and the train
rumhled out from it's shelter, its shrill
plant at curb and crossing whipped
away and drowned in the storm.
Slapjack remained in the cab, gun
In lap. while Dextry climbed back ito
Glenister. He found the young man IN
good spirits, despite the discomfort of
mis- exposed position, and striving to
light his pipe behind the shelter of his
coat.
rs the dynamite aboardr" the old
man questioned.
Sure. Enough to ballast a battle
ship"
AS the train crept out Of the camp
and across the river bridge, It's only
light or glimmer the sparks that were
snatched and carried by the blast. the
partners seated themselves on the
powder cases and conversed guarded
ly, while about them sounded the low
murmur of the men who risked their
all upon this cry to duty, who staked
their lives and futures upon this haz.
ard of the hills. because they Thought
1t right.
We've made good fight, whether
we win or lost tonight" said Dextry.
Roy replied, my fight is made and
won"
What does that mean?"
My hardest battle had nothing to do
with the Midas or the mines of An.
wi. fought and conquered myself .
Awful wet night for philosophy. .
the first remarked. TITS apt to sour
on you like milk in thunderstorm
S'pose you put oyeralls an gum boots
on some of these Boston ideas an lead
EN- out where l can look 'em over
an find out what they're up to-"
Il mean that was savage till I
met Helen Chester and she made a
man Of me. 1t took sixty days, but I
think she did good Job. love the
wild things just as much as ever but
I've learned that there are duties a
fellow owes to himself and to other
people, If he'll only stop and think
them out. I've found out, too. that the
right thing Is usually the hardest to do.
Oh, I've improved lot"
Gee! but you're popular with your
self. You're as homely as eyer-an'
what good does 1t do you after all?
She'll marry that big guy"
II know, That's what rangles for
he's no more worthy of her than 1 am.
She'll do what's right, however YOU
may depend upon that. and perhaps
she'll change him the way she did me.
Why, she worked a miracle in nv
attitude towards life-my manner
ma M
as they law" Interrupted the other.
you never did eat with your knife"
Il don't believe in hara-kiri," Clients
ter laughed.
No, when 1t comes to intimacies
with decorum. you're right on the job
along with any of them fasteners. |
watched you close at them Frisco ho-
tells last winter, and say-you know
as much as horse. Why, you was
wise to them tablewares and pickle
forks equal to a head waiter, and 1t
give me confidence just to be with YOU
| remember putting milk and sugar in
my consomme the first time It was
pale and in a cup and looked like tea
but not you. No, sir! You sawed
plenty and squeezed a. lemon into
yours-to clean your fingers l reck-
on"
Roy slapped his partners wet back,
| for he was buoyant and elated. The
sense of nearing danger pulsed through
him like wine.
That wasn't just what meant, but
lit goes. Say, If we win back our
mine, We'll hit for New York next
eh?''
mo, I don't aim to mingle WITH no
higher civilization than | got in Frisco.
/ use that word higher like it was ap.
piled to meat. Not that wouldn't
seem apropos. I'm stylish enough fer
Fifth avenue or anywheres. but | like
the west. Speakin of modes an styles
when I get all lit up in that gray
woosted suit of mine, guess make
the jaded sight-seers set up an take
notice-en? Somethin' dom every
minute in the cranin' of necks--what!
Nothin' gaudy, but the acme of neat
ness an form as the Teller said who
sold it to me-"
Their common peril brought the
friends together again, into that close
bond which had been theirs without
interruption until this recent change
in the younger had led him to choose
paths st variance with the old mans
ideas: and now they spoke heart to