Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-11

4ue one udtiy tIdHl DctUcch E1AcIJ
and Sexton was snowbound at Chest
nut Gap. with snow still falling. 1t
might get through in twenty-four
hours, and it might not in q week. All
depended on the length OF the storm
and the energy of the four or Eve men
who constituted the repair and emer-
gency force Of the short narrow gauge
road.
Ordinarily it would have made lit
tie difference, for passengers were rare
and speed unirnportant. but on this
day it happened there were seventeen
delegates converging from various
parts Of the state to a church conven-
ton appointed at Pinery because the
small church there was the oldest in
the state and this day the Anniversary
Of its building. Moreover. there were
the proprietor OF the one little grocery
store and the energetic wife OF the
aged pastor. both returning from Sex
tonwith various supplies for the susie
nance and entertaining Of these same
delegates during the three or four
days of their proposed stay. So 1t
was a matter of perplexity and con-
sternation to the engineer and conduct
or when the wheeling train ran its
head into snow bank at the gap and
came to a standstill.
The country along the railroad was
wild and sparsely settled. with Chest
nut Gap at it's most desolate point.
Twenty or more rods back from the
road, with only winding path leading
to it. was the only house In ten miles,
a one room cabin and loft, with wood
en- shutters for windows and a mud
and stick chimney built at one end. To
this the delegates plowed their way
through the snow, the men kicking out
q path as well as they could for the
women. who struggled in Indian flle
behind.
A girl Of fourteen or fifteen opened
the door. eager eyed and excited at
more visitors than she had seen in her
life. An old man was bending over the
fireplace. but rose and hobbled forward
ut their entrance.
"Come in, come right in," he cried
Hospitality. "Jest make yourselves to
home. Kinder wintry out, amt It?
What! Wimmen too? Here. crowd
clost to the fire an warm up an dry
up. W1mme0 1uSt.
They did so laughingly, though most
OF them were shivering. A young man
quickly gathered up all the wood the
cabin seemed to contain and threw it
upon the fire, turning alphabetically to
the host after be had done so.
I'VE need thawing out first" he ex-
planned, land you invited us to make
ourselves at home. But never mind
the fuel. There are eight men in our
party, and we VIII soon have more.
The conductor tells US we cannot get
away under two days and perhaps not
under q week. Now. what can you do
for us?" with q quick and rather quiz
zical look about the cabin. twhat sort
of Accommodations and provisions can
you furnishp
PLENTY o. both" heartily. "They's a
loft overhead jest the size o. this room.
'cept for the roof bein' slantin'. VIM
men can have one an men t'other, an
I raised a heap o. turnips last fall
more'n four acres. did f1gger to sell
'em, but price was so scah'alous low
that Bet Ann an me berried 'em In a
hole under the floor. Lucky. too. now.
amt it? But say! What might your
name be? I'm Lem Tucker"
THANK you. My name Is Tom Ash.
ley. / am glad you have so many tur-
nips. Now. what sort OF other provi-
sions have you to go with tbemr'
''why, nothin'." genfaily rye see.
my lands too poor to raise other stun.
But turuips Is mighty good an
healthy an digestive. an Bet Ann an
me eats ZEN right along. We like
'em. Bet Ann has some snares out
back O. the house an now an ag'in
catches a rabbit for relish. Ye see.
I'm too roomatiky for goin' out In
weather. But OF course one rabbit
wouldn't be much relish for all your
folks"
mo. suppose not, agreed Ashley.
he turned to his companions. you
hear what our host says am glad
you all love turnips.r
There was slight SILVER through
the group. Then one of the women
rose bravely to the occasion.