The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-07-17
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Loves Sake
~ JAMES BUckHAM


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rumble Of dump-cars, the creak Of der.
rtcks, and an occasional. heavy blast
that shook heaven and earth like a far
resounding thunder-clap. These were
unwonted activities for that quiet and
remote country valley. and its scat
tered inhabitants watched them with
undisguised excitement and wonder.
Haying and harvesting were now
nearly finished on the upland farms,
and, daily, vehicles filled with entire
families came, picnic-wise, to the
scene Of operations, the people all in
their Sunday best, and gay of spirits
over their novel holiday. Intermingled
with the family carryalls were also
smart buggies, built for two, in which
country lovers and sweethearts
packed their bliss for long days
happy outing.
From the eastward over the long
ridge between Little Otter and Big
Otter valleys, toiled heavy wagons.
carrying supplies from the nearest
railroad station for the gangs Of work
men. These supplies were mostly pro-
visions and other necessaries for the
camps. But occasionally a wagon
came along covered with dark COL
ored tarpaulin, carefully dashed down
at sides and ends. Those who knew
the signs whispered: There goes a
load of dynamite!" and every one
breathed easier when it had passed
out of sight.
On certain Saturday afternoon,
breathless and hot, one of these tar
paulin-covered wagons reached the
top of the ridge between Big Otter
and Little Otter valleys, and the
driver pulled up Ids team to rest; for
going down the slope was almost as
hard as coming up, with the heavy
load. in spite of brakes, pushing stead
lily on the pole. All the way down that
long hill, dazzling with it's white dust,
the stones had been carefully picked
out Of the road, lest jolt should set
free the pent-up demon of destruction
under the tarpaulin. Yet the driver
always paused on the ridge-not only
to rest his horses, but because he
dreaded that long down grade, on top
of his two tons of dynamite.
What would you do If something
Should give way?" asked a voice be-
hind him, suddenly, this blazing Aug
ust afternoon. The driver started and
turned on his seat. A young man,
with rifle over his shoulder and a
string of gray squirrels dangling from
his belt, was peering under the great
wagon. He had come silently out of
the woods near by, and his question
was like the unexpected crack of a
gun on the still air.
"Wal," replied the driver, recovering
his self-possession and shifting his
quid Of tobacco to the opposite cheek,
II reckon I'd do about the same thing
you would-I'd jump"
II wouldn't jump" retorted the,
young countryman; that is, not as
things are with me now. 1 shouldn't
care much if went up with the out
it,"
Perhaps you wouldn't" replied the
other, quietly, "but would. I've got
a wife and two kids"
The young man with the rifle sighed
heavily, but held his peace.
Doesn't that make difference
urged the driver.
"Yes-it makes difference" NUT
ered the other He walked to the
edge of the road and sat down on the
bank opposite the man on the wagon.
Another fellows got my GIRL" he
said, heavily. You don't know any,
thing about that. You can't A man
doesn't care much about himself, or
anything else, after that. There's
just one thing he does care for
he'd like to open up the hot place a
little sooner for the man that did it."
The driver nodded his head. II
guess you're about right" he said.
Il don't blame you a bit. Wal, it's
time for me to be goin' along. I'm
sorry for you-that's fact" He
lightened the brake-pressure, CHR
ruped to his horses, and the wagon
load Of dynamite started down the
hill.
The young man with the rifle sat
looking down the road. Suddenly he
started, and half rose from the bank.
A light buggy came whirling into the
main highway from 7branch road,
near the foot Of the hill. tits his rig,
by God!" Kissed the Tilted lover.
Going to get her, and take her over
to see the railroad building. And she's
expecting him and waiting for him,
likely, dressed in that white"
The young man choked, and buried
his face in his hands. All at once, q
terrible cry smote on his ears. He
jumped up and saw, first. a great cloud
Of dust where the load of dynamite
had been crawling down the hill. Then
q flying figure emerged from the dust
cloud. like aman pitched out Of a win
dow. It sprawled face downward by
the roadside, where It lay still for
moment, then stirred, sat up, and
looked wildly down the hilla
r Something had broken, and the load
Of dynamite was running wild down
the the hill. at the heels Of two fren-
lxfed horses. In front OF IL vas the