The Irish standard., 1908-04-25

from the top, who picked out stanolng
room; and from that they worked a
narrow path around to the grade"
Got plenty Of engines. Crocker?"
one of the visitors asked.
"Six engines and over 100 cars"
Mr.. Crocker replied proudly, "and as
many more ordered"
THAT isn't a beginning to enough.
You'll be dropping an engine or a car
over into that gulch every day."
Miss Hamilton closed her eyes and
shivered. "Oh, how terrifying"
Mr.. Crocker forgot to mention our
powder car" Alfred added.
Powder carr" she repeated. Sure.
ly Pluto and Proserpina will arrive to-
gether when powder rattles over this
hot, rocky spot. Do you think 1t is
so very far to-to-Tartarus?" She
said.
"But you never heard Of a powder
car like ours; it is irondoored and rub
ber-tired," Alfred explained "And
we're surely deceiving their majesties
Of hades, since the work at Summit
tunnel goes on ceaselessly. eating our
right Of way six feet day and night,
through the heart Of the Sierras."
"Oh. yes! Uncle Charley's very
jubilant about that tunnel-indeed,
about the splendid way all the work
goes on"
IF we only had iron. iron! That's
what hinders US. There isn't halt
enough to be had in the whole coun.
try"
"Why don't you buy abroad?"
"Our franchise forbids that; and
American foundries can't make 1t fast
enough. What we do buy is so long
getting here! Twenty thousand miles!
That's sail for you. And the gales,
and wrecks! BY George! I wish 1t
was quicker and safer"
AS they neared the camps their
conversation changed from railroad to
other subjocts-the latest book; the
newest dance; the poem or picture
most in the public eye. From topic to
topic they fitted, up and down the
polite world Of their day.
! To Stella. striving to lose no word,
1t was new. Intoxicating. That's my
world, too" she thought. II could say
things like those. know a little OF
! mythology and history" She won.
dered why she had never used such
language with Alfred. why he had not
talked with her as he did now with
Miss Hamilton.
Stella lifted her head in q spirit of
rebellion quite new to her. She could
never acquire this subtle manner; and
she should not stand in Alfred's way.
He would succeed. From serving he
would soon advance to ordering. He
would need wife like Miss Hamilton.
Mr.. Crocker called Alfred for some
questioning, and in his absence Miss
Hamilton turned to Stella. I'm
afraid I'm monopolizing this oppor-
tunity, Miss Anthony. It's my first
visit. you know"
u "It is my first visit here, also." stel.
la replied.
"Your first?" Miss Hamilton's eyes
opened wide with not too civil ques.
ton. "Oh," she laughed, III you live
here and don't care enough to come
and see these wonderful things I
shan't let my conscience sit up nights
over my monopoly of Mr.. Vincent
and the conversation" She turned to
smile at Alfred reappearing. and Stel-
Ia was without opportunity to explain
that, despite enthusiasm and appreoia-
tion, the railroad grade was not q
proper promenade for girl alone.
The young people Jagged, in spite of
the call of the leaders, and arrived at
| the camps to find them already alive
with men and beasts.
"Oh. must see the Chinese camps"
Miss Hamilton cried. "I've heard of
/ them"
They were in time to see the cooks
serving from great cauldrons to each
man his little keller full Of boiling
water. There was also an array of big
black pots simmering over camp fires,
yet white and savory messes were
within, announced by attractive odors.
What do they do with those little
tubs?" Miss Hamilton asked. as she
saw the coolies disappear within tents
or brush shacks.
Each man takes hot sponge bath
and dresses in clean clothes before
he eats"
"Is to-day any special occasion?"
she questioned, wonderingly.
"They do that every night in the
year. They never sup in their work.
ing Clothes"
What an example to Americans!
My respect for the disciples Of Con.
fucius has risen to hundred"
She wished to stay to see the yell
low men in dinner Dress" squatting
with their little bowls and chop-sticks,
chattering over their "licey;" but her
uncle sent back second hurrying
i summons that held note of impa-
| tience; and Stella pushed ahead with
sure steps, following her temporary es.
+! cort. But Miss Hamilton, unused to
7 rough going, and in spite of Alfred 8
watchfulness. turned her ankle and
! arrived at the road male and weak