Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-10-29

and spent the short moment eXanIin-
ing each poor animal that would that
day be martyred to the race.
"Yo' posy's brought one piece of
luck, Stella" he said as he mounted
again. It's raining oveh there on
them Placeryille fellehs."
Stella looked south t. the black
clouds overhanging high SUBMITS, and
hoped that Uncle Billy himself could
outdrive the storm that was roaring
northward. They flashed by a toll
gate, the driver sending a flying greet
ing to the gatekeeper.
Stella drew a breath Of relief for
the horses as they looked into fair
Summit valley, a green gem set in the
midst of barren rock and perpetual
| snow, its smooth level the only re-
minder of the lake it had supplanted.
Fresh horses at Thinkers, and on
again!
Ever seen Mr.. Holidays palace
travelling coach?" Mr.. Montague asked
Uncle Billy a little later.
mo, sab; but I've heard of it. What
does it look like?"
Its luxury on wheels; bullet-proof,
with kitchen, dining room and bed
ROOM; all furnished gilt edged and
sporting a chef"
A long whistle was the only answer,
for they had rounded a point and were
looking out upon Bonner lake, 1900
feet below.
To-day no luxurious passenger
speeding fast asleep through 40 miles
of snow sheds may know the mag
~nificence of that vision, the splendor
Of that morning flight down the zig
tagging sleeps. A mile and a half
as the crow flies, and but three miles
over the crooked wagon road, to the
beautiful blue lake that mirrors alike
heaven and tragedy. The way was too
steep and tortuous for speed; yet the
horses kept their steady gallop, the
coach pressing hard upon them; and
now and again the wheels on one side
, or the other whirled high in air as
they swung around some sharp point
or into a clasping gorge.
Past tremendous reaches Of dark
I forest. Over long stretches Of rock
; yet unclothsd by nature. Rafting
across torrent-cut gorges, over earth
"%flls," through narrow cuts. Ever
down, down! At last one more plunge
and out upon the haunted shore of the
cerulean lake, the smooth, secret
lake, that carries within it's soundless
bosom remembered horr5rs that named
it. I
Along its level shores the road
stretched in straight or winding
spaces, a fine track for racing. The
horses leaped forward to a dead run,
that never slackened till, at Coburn's,
beside the swift, tortuous Truciee, the
relief team met them.
On again. Out from fir forests and
rocky barriers, and into the desert
boundaries.
Chamberlain's and breakfast!
How glad they were to stretch them
selves on earth once more! Yet no
time for dallying.
Made the last three miles in nine
minutes!" Mr.. Montague announced as
he walked into the dining room.
But no one replied. Hurrying
walters, steaming dishes, silent, busy
passengers-the scant halt passed like
a gust; and again they were flying.
Again upward, past the spouting,
Notwithstanding Steamboat springs
over the smooth Geiger grade, and al
l last into the gray, struggling city hung
against the bare breast Of Mount Dav
idson-Virginia, golden goal of theil
flight.
Superintendent Crocker, watch IL
hand, stood on the hotel steps to vel
come them, Is Uncle Billy swung ii
with a grand finishing flourish.
zone o'clock! T%wenty-one hours and
five minutes from San Francisco! Hur
rah for you, Billy Dodge!" Mr.. Crocke,
cried; and rousing cheers echoed from
the waiting crowd.
From Colfax our driver has aveT
aged a mile in four and a third min
utes," Mr.. Montague called, LOOKING
up from a quick calculation.
"By George, Montague! That a
most beats engine and steamer! HUI
rah again, boys!"
But where's the Placehville stage?
Uncle Billy asked as he came stitiy u
the steps, Stella by his side.
y "This came an hour ago." Mr.. Crocl
er said, putting a dispatch in tn
drivers hand. Read that" he e.
IL b claimed exultingly.
strawberry Valley, noon. Heav
re- rains, heavy roads, heavy loads
ne Uncle Billy read.
as "We're in time, them" Stella viii
I'm pered softly.
Uncle Billy nodded. Wilder cheer
made speech impossible.
po' Strawberry Valley was GS mile
n.y. (To BE CoNTINUED)
M~S&~ Geo ca $N4A.