Mexico Missouri message., 1908-11-12


final blow was struck. the day maze
historic.
Early In the morning magnificent
trains came from each way bearing
oflciaIs and dIgnitaries. Following
them thronged the slghtseers.
Esther and Alfred we're there.
standing near the Central Pacific Of
ficers. both radiant. unmasked OF re-
serve, young, beautiful with happiness
Close at hand were Uncle Billy, the
lIarmons. and Amabel Hamilton. deli
cate. fiower-like. bravely carrying q
heartaohe that Alfred least OF all sus-
pected.
And Sally b. No pen could paint
the Vividness OF her cardinal plush
gown. the sweep OF the forty-dolIar
plume above her red Gainsborough
hat. the CLEAN of her jewels, or the
pride in the uplIft OF her dark head.
Regal, brilliant. as glad Of the great
triumph as II II were her own. she
drew every eye. dominated the scene.
clamorously red against the surround.
Ing gray.
Not the least striking among that re-
markable assemblage was George
Gregory. Erect as he had not been
for months. wen groomed and hand.
some in his faultless clothes, iubilant,
he wat yet restless from the very
lifting OF his burden, and tackled from
shore to shore in the human sea, com.
ing &c anchor ut intervals beside HIS
wife.
But the eye OF the vast throng. shift
ing from notable to notable, came
oftenest TO rest upon the valiant
Four" quartette Of keen. compile
meniing minds. the power that had
driven to completion the most difficult
enterprise Of the era.
Mark Hopkins. the treasurer. looked
small beside the others: yet his body
was vigorous. his eye vigilant, his lip
firm. A fine. penetrating exactness,
I!gid carefulness. enveloped him as
garment. A stern man, q just, en-
ployees and foster-children yet testi-
fed To his kindness. his consideration.
blum, hearty Charles Croker, the
superintendent, irascible. obstinate,
yet reasonable. was also the daring.
the generous. the pioneerl
Next stood Coils p. Huntington. the
vice president, tall, stately. elegant,
the keen finRncier. the astute business
man. the subtle politician, the keeper
OF secrets; a tireless worker. a courtly
gentleman.
Leland Stanford, the president, eI'
governor Of California, beloved by the
people. this man was the cynosure;
imperial head powerfully set on mas
sive body; eyes Of the seer. brows Of
the conqueror; mind OF steel and heart
OF gold; brother Of men and respectel
OF man; orator, friend, patriot.
Talleyrand once declared to the EN-
peror Napoleon. THE great republic
Is a giant without bones" These foui
men had put into tho giant a spine o
iron.
Under the desert sky the spreading
multitude was called to order. Their
followed a solemn prayer OF thanks
giving. The laurel tie was placed
amidst ringing cheers. The goidei
spike was set. The tTans-Americal
telegraph wire was adjusted Ami,
GREATNESS silence the silver hamme
was lifted, poised. dropped. giving tn
gentle tap that licked the news to al
the world! Then, blow on blow. Gov
ernor Stanford sent the spike to place
A storm Of wild huzzas burst forth
desert rock and sand. plain and mouT
tain. echoed the conquest OF thel
terrors. The two engines moved ~
touched noses" and each in tur
crossed the magic tie.
America was beltedl The gres
Iron Way was finished.
THE END.