Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-19

uuu Was dDOul " UiOW OuC ShC iASAS
Of his candle. Then he changed his
mind.
With determined shake Of his head
and d new flash Of the eye, he calmly
seated himself and began to open his
ragged pack.
At last his small store OF food lay
exposed. Without hesitation he divid-
ed the pieces Of smoked venison, CIV
ing one part to himself, two to the
sleepers, then the miller's bread and
the cheese and the bag OF dates he had
bought the day before.
Again he blew kiss to the prettiest
girl he had ever seen. Shutting his
candle, he dropped to the ground and
closed the door against all spying, un-
civil eyes.
Daybreak found him at the wharf
gates.
Coming to an empty fiat car direct
from the quarrles. he resolutely seated
himself upon it's edge and, with amia-
bic resignation. set about devouring
his early meal, all the while casting
longing, almost appealing, glances to-
ward the next car but one. Busy lit
tie switch engines began chugging
about the yards. The railroad at least
was exhibiting some signs Of life
Down through the maze OF side
tracks whisked the little train, out
upon the main line with a thin shrek
Of greeting, past the freight houses.
It was then that Sir Vagabond sat up
very straight, lock Of mild interest
in his eyes. Interest gave way to per-
plexity, perplexity to concern. What's
this-leaving the city? He wasted no
time. Clutching his belongings to his
side, he vaulted from one hand, nimbly
landing safely on his feet at the road
side.
He thought Of the luckless pair in
the empty "box."
Suddenly he stopped, his chin up.
his hands to his sides. A hearty peal
Of laughter scared from his lips. The
joke was on them. 1t was rich. The
more he thought Of their establishment
on awakening the more he laughed.
Els immense levity attracted atten-
ton. Four or five men approached
him from the shadows of the freight
houses, ugly, unslhiling fellows. They
demanded of him the cause Of bis un-
seemly mirth With tears in his ner-
ry black eyes he related the plight OF
the pretty slumberers. They piled him
with questions. He described the cou-
Pile, even glowingly. Then the SIMS
ter fellows smiled. More than that,
they clapped each other on the back
and swore splendidly.
And so it was that the news spread
over town ut o'clock that Truxton
King was where he could do no harm.
1t was, well known that the train
would make forty miles an hour down
the steep grade into the lower valley.
When Tru1ton King first awoke to
the fact that they were no longer
lying motionless in the dreary yards
he leaped to his feet with startled
shout Of alarm. With frantic energy
he pulled open the door. For min
ute he stared at the scudding walls OF
stone so close at hand. uncomprehend-
ingly. Then the truth burst upon him
with the force Of mighty blow. He
staggered back, his jaw dropping, his
eyes glaring.
"Great God. Lorraine. We're going!
We're moving" he cried hoarsely.
She shot to her feet and lurched to
his side. Don't fall out!" she almost
shrieked.
Suddenly the train shot out into the
open. farm spattered valley. Truxton
fell back dumfounded.
1.-THE country!" he exclaimed. We've
been carried away. God in heaven!
The prince--he is LOST! He was be-
side himself. raging like mailman.
He had shouted to her that he must
get back to the city.
"You would be killed. she cried,
clutching his arm fercely. You never
can jump. Truxton. See how we are
running. If you jump shall follow. !
won't go on alone. am as much to
blame as you"
A small station flew by. Rom, sew
en- kilometers to Edelweiss." He look
ed at her in despair.
Were going faster and faster" he
grated.
Just then his gaze alighted on the
pathetic breakfast. He stared as It
hypnotized. Was he going mad? An
instant later he was on his hands and
knees examining the mysterious feast.
She Joined him at once No two faces
ever before were SO puzzled and per-
picked.
"By heaven" he exclaimed, II sec Il
all! We've been deliberately shang-
haied! We've been bottled up here
and shipped out Of town. Don't touch
that stuff! It's probably full Of poi
son. Great Scott. what a clever gang
they are!'
Whereupon he proceeded to kick the
unoffending breakfast out Of the car
door. To their dying day they were
to believe that the food had been put
there by agents Of the great conspira-
tor.
"Hello"' said he. Were slowing up. -
He looked out and ahead. There's a
bridge down the road a bit-yes. there's
our same old river! They're running