The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-07-27

AAS PooI III lue eligible. he was one
who was on part duty that day. He
was one who never, failed. Always
cheerfully ready, the company appre>
ciated his honest services.
The sun. was. making long strides
down the western sky, and would be
sunk to rest ere they reached home.
/ Again piercing blast from the
Ichimes whistle screamed dolcfully over
the scene. and the. pleasure seekers
! hustled around, gathered themselves
together, also their baskets and trans.
and hurried toward the coaches. Soon
they were filled and all vera comfort
ably seated ready to return. Once
more Mel pulled the whistle lest some
struggling one might be left. Singu-
larly enough Mick Hefferon came run
ming, and. was the, last one to get
aboard.
f. Slowly they started. but became
faster and faster every moment, until
at length they were flying along like
the wind, the earth gliding back in a
continuous stream and fences running
away from them.
Floss sat silent for a. while, looking
out at the vanishing telegraph poles
and thinking of Mel. But she could
not remain silent long. Turning to
Josie she remarked:
We'll get home by about shutdown.
and then begins the old grind again."
borrowing trouble, eh?' said Josie,
touch of reproof in her tone.
well, no. I'm not one to growl at
| the fates, do ~ She was thinking Of
the fortune-teller who had said "some-
thing was going to happen to Mel.
She could not get it out Of her mind
Its not your constitutional weak
ness to growl, I'm sure" replied JOSIE
| That' is, you'd say I was a saint
just Initiated"
| Il wouldn't like to say you'd taken
all the degrees.''
1T wouldn't be true If YOU did"
And I always tell the TRUTH" with
a 1ight-hearted gaiety that .communi-
Gated itself to Floss.
Except when yon DON'T"
But you do talk through your hat
sometimes
I'VE all do-when we want to-" And
FLOSS broke out singing in a lively
y strain that old song-"Paddle Your
Own Canoe" Whenever she sang.
It's never sit down with a tear or a
frown,
But paddle your own canoe"
she threw fervor into it that was
marked, and Josie joined in with a.
strong emphasis. The momentary
gloom was put behind, a thing Of the
past, and she forgot about the "some-
th1ng' that was to happen to Mel.
The noise of the rafting cars and the
merry chatter all around quite re-
str1cted their vocal efforts to them
selves. They enjoyed being alone at
the moment in crowd.
At this point Finney Davis walked
through the coach, and seeing them
approached. Without ceremony he sat
upon the arm of their seat and began
talking. F'inney was a gasser, not a.
talker Perhaps that was what set
Floss against him. He knew not his
falling
Il enjoyed the day so much. splen-
dfd time. Nice-dne place for a pic
nlc-big trees-grassy-I enjoyed"
Yes, enjoyed" Knocked Floss. She
d1sl1ked his selfish way of everlasting
ly talking about himself
Il" he began again.
i, too," interrupted Floss coolly. He
did not comprehend.
H. he went ONT never had such
good time. I wish we were Just
going out. like such days. I think
they're nice. 1 do, indeed I do.'
They were interrupted. The coach
shook. 1t quivered. It stopped with
a suddenness that sent them whirline
out OF their seats. Finney flew from
the arm of the seat and struck an
other seat forward. People screamed,
Little children cried in terror. There
was a sudden loosening up Of all
Things and a mighty crash. Strong
men paled, and bright eyes, instantly
transformed into glazing balls of ter
ror, were opened wide AMI frightful.
Everything was in confusion and dis.
tress. Over the coach went. and in
mass the occupants were hurled
fearfully against the under side.
my God!" cried SO voices at once.
"A wreck" shouted some male voice
above the din and groans.
"Awful-horrible!" shrieked a fe.
male voice.
The coach had stopped.
Where was Mel? Where were Floss
and Josie?
1t was fearful wreck. Some Der
sons were killed outright and MANY
were injured more or less, Means
and shrieks filled the air. The scene
was such as to strike terror to the
heart.
How quickly the Joy of the day was
turned into sorrow and pain! The
God OF heaven only knows what sad
ness and pangs to human hearts were
brought about there in brief NM
ment!