The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1912-07-27

OeIoTeS HOW came Lne gang OF pole
raisers.
Miss Nell marched out with her
gun; behind her came Uncle Jim with
a rocking chair, a pitcher of water
and a palm1eaf fan; Aunt Joe could
not hobble to the window, but she
applauded. The rocking chair was
placed over the Post-hole, and the
girl sat down with the gun across her
lap.
IF it's hung for murder you are
don't blame mel" said the man as he
retreated to shelter with webbing
knees.
The foreman of the gang surveyed
the girl under the sharp of his hand
for a distance, and then slowly ap-
preached. He looked all around for
Culver. He looked at the girl He
looked at the deadly weapon.
rs it about the poie?" he asked as
he rested his foot on it
Miss Nell nodded her head.
They don't want it here?'
Miss Nell shook her head
"And it's murder on the high seas
If we try to raise it?'
Miss Nell handled the weapon as II
or four men a day since childhood's
happy hours
Then, begobs, the civil engineer
can take the bullets himself, and
there he comes!" said the foreman as
he. walked away.
The engineer of the line was ap-
preaching in a buggy, holding the
reins himself and gazing at the good
looking girl in the rocking chair. He
stopped the vehicle opposite and
raised his hat. In response he received
slight bow. He got out of the buggy
and approached and observed:
Fine day, Miss?"
Not for putting up an old tele-
phone pole here?" was the answer.
He liked the girl and the answer.
He liked the way she held her chin in
the air. Her eyes were big and brown,
and they looked right at him. He was
young and susceptible. That is, he
hadn't been all along, but he was now.
He was looking at the girl in the
chair respectfully and soberly when
all at once he burst out laughing
Miss Neil half-pointed the gun in. his
direction.
why, it's about the old weapon 1
was laughing!" he explained. ut
isn't loaded. It is rusty. 1t has
neither hammer nor trigger"
But the pole shall not go up here.
sir" was the reply.
BLESS you, is it the pole? Why,
thought you were taking a sun-bath.
The Culvers object to the pole. do
they?"
Certainly"
"And you are here to champion
their cause? Why, if there is any OBJ
lection to the pole it shall be placed
further along. Please don't sit in the
| sun unless you really want to. I also
observe that the chair is in an awk-
ward position. If Mr.. Culver had any
objections"
He's a grasshopper!" interrupted
the girl.
But if his wife,
/ ''She was out here fighting for her
rights when she sprained her ankle. l
just came this morning. I am not
afraid to talk up to anybody. Couldn't
have shot any one with this pistol?''
Hardly, and am glad it didn't go
as far as that. 1 pledge you my word
the pole shall not go up here, and you
can retire from the contest with hon
ofs. I-I-that is, it strikes me that
I ought to call this evening and see
| about Mrs. Culver's ankle. AS the en-
| gineer of the line
Has civil engineering got anything
to do with sprained ankles?" asked
Miss Nell as he gave her hand to
help her out of the lop-sided chair.
"Only in the way of begging her
pardon and extending sympathy.
will place the chair inside the fence,
and the deadly old weapon can be re
stored to its hook You were pre-
pared to sit here all night?'
Yes, sir, and for week longer
Just so, but you are saved the
| trouble Did you ever see a telephone
pole raised to position, Miss
Miss-?"
ST know this one won't go up here"
That is settled. The raising of
poles is rather a curious performance.
| I will call this evening to tell you all
about it, and to inquire about the
| sprained ankle. Yes, rather a curious
performance
|
! the way first, don't they?" was the
impertinent query.
well, 1 didn't hear the gun go on
and anybody scream?" said Aunt Joe
as Miss Nell entered the house and
! then peered out of a window at the
departing young man.
Say, aunt, he was as nice as he
could be-" was the reply. He has
black eyes, dark hair, and"
why that's young Bob Thomas,
the engineer of the road That settles
it. He'd be sure to call, and you'll
like each other, and you'll stay all
summer, and he'll be here half the
time. and afore fall comes he'll ask
you"
Miss Nell put her hand over the
others mouth, but it turned out that
way, just the same, and the old pistol
will have a place among the parloE
bric-a-brac-
LUCKY