The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-07-09
ILLUSTRATED
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EM::;'Z'

gle carrying lighted lanterns, went the
firetlies on aimless journeyings, not {
few but many thousands of them, as
if in a wild dance of curiosity, looking
through the night to learn what man
ner of things these We're that had
come upon them so suddenly, ripped
away their forests and built strange
| mansions in their sOlitudes.
1t was not this, however, that
chained her attention. High up over
this mushroom city where all had been
silent and darkening when she went
below, now cleaned myriad lights
strung as by GENT of the lamp while
others rested from their toll. White,
tlaring streaks of brilliance thrust
spearlike rays into the gloom, illumin-
ating below them the creation of a
day. From the distance came the
steady hum of steam driven dynamos,
telling with monotonous insistence
that there would be no cessation until
the last spike was driven, the last ma
chine set and the last betting hung.
Into this spot of the night began to
come black figures answering the call
of the siren. On sudden, as If by
preconcerted signal, the echoes again
awoke to the clang of hammers on
steel and the hum of voices in COM
mand. Like weird pygmies doomed to
twist their thews in never-ending eff
fort, she saw them resume their I'M
completed task, eXerting themselves
increasingly for it's accomplishment
A launch which had come alongside
on some errand was suffering spas,
medically at the foot of the ladder
below as if impatient to be off. She
boarded 1t, and in a few minutes
smart young naval officer stepped into
the stern, gave curt order, and they
raced away toward the shore.
"Ah, good evening, Miss Roberts"
he said, suddenly spying her. Look
ing for your father, who went ashore
awhile ago, | presume? I'm going
right in his direction, and will be glad
to guide you" He seemed too busy
Tor further conversation, and almost
before the boat had come. to stop
'praRg to the shingle and offered his
hand.
Through steadily working groups of
men, past unfinished buildings, and
'Ver lighted floors where machinists
wrought with levers and wrenches.
ney went to the far side of the camp.
1ere were officers with coats cast
III and sleeves rolled up, and labor.
rs IN oVeralls intent on setting
uge blast furnace; and in the very
cart OF this activity, besmirched with
lrt, his hat discarded and his shirt
hfown open, she found her father
'ot even he with all his weight of
ears could resist this terrific call of
herey. She stood and watched for a
ew minutes while he, the master
plrlt OF the group, directed the work
: seemed to have passed its critical
oint' and after some final instruc.
ons to the engineer in charge he :
'falghtened up and looked round
Hello, here's the assistant" he said
aiklng toward her and looking fopd]y
TO her eyes. She besought him to d
'st, and her appeals were seconded
those of the officers who feared
r the physical strength of this man t.
wnom SO much depended, and who
ould nave guarded him as a precious S
wei OF untold worth. He protested Il
nrst' and then, like one waking from |
dream and suddenly conscious of q 81
eat WEAKNESS, made no objection n
nen the rear admiral, who now
oAea like a workman, put his hat %
on MS mead and rendered him his tt
at' He permitted them to throw If
er MS shoulders, and finally, with a la
'A OF Infinite satisfaction at tho as
owing structure before him fool,
daughters arm and tramped awav d.
was an old man again. yielding tn
'floute of age to the toll of youth W
lney boarded the boat and sought ne
slr CABINS; but even as they retired pa
Ire came to them through the open tv
Fthoies, like lullaby, the son-dr oy
unremitting labor intermingled with
zap OF waves on the coral beach in
e hrst creative step toward a na wi
nal victory and supremacy had been tt
'en in day, even whi1a tho w.. bu
uu across western seas was gath
ne strength for its overcast. and, fe'
rio was unaware. 'D' TIL
cTO BE CONTINUED, av
discoveries in the Air pii