Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-11-21

gnstuS, be mine an humber theme.
Stiffy E,lkins was of the stuff of which
heroes are made No matter what the
cause of complaint of him and the lads
he led, he should ever stand in this
community as a hero, with his bosom
barred, his hand uplifted against the
encroachmentS of I'm imperious mo-
nopoly. The uprising of these mule
changers came as a thunder-bolt from
clear sky. One moment there might
he heard from the well-worn trail con-
meeting the Louisiana street stables
Nth the Zimmerman darkness of the
tunnel. the merry Naturalization of
the bells of the moving mules, mingled
with the CHEEKY admontons of the
lads astride. The next moment all was
silent Stilfy Ellins and his gallant
band had struck
The news Of this calamity, the alb
Solute severing of communication be-
tween the thousands north Of the tun-
mel and other thousands south OF the
tunrei, went from one trembling, pallid
lip To another. \ delegation represent
ing the capitalists of the street car mo-
nopoIy pleaded with Stiffy Elkins to re-
sumo the hitohing of the mules and
pleaded in vain. In that simple time
there was no thought of calling on the
police, force, much less upon the militia,
to caerce the gallant leader and his
men. Such course would have been
futile. The designation of Stiffy show
cd the character of the chief. Brave
Horatius at the bridge in the old days
Of Rome could not have held his post
with more unyieldng valor than was
displayed by our own fellow toWnsman
Stffy Elkins. No. saiq that leader of
lads in clarion tones 'they's not TO be
another mule goes through this here
tunnel until we gifts what's a comm to
us. 1t is captains courageous IKE TINS
who are undismayed by what to others
would be ineluctable obstacles.
1T was Patrick Henry who made the
ever memorable utterance concerning
Caesar having had his Brutus, Charles
| his Cromwell and that George III
might profit by their example. And now
the street car company had its Stliiy
Elkins as if to show that history, with
variations suitable to the times, may
repeat itself.
Whatever addresses Stiffy Eiklns
may have made to his rebeilious band
are unknown today for they are not
recorded. 1t may be assumed that he
vas not gifted as an orator for he was
rather a lad of action and of purpose.
So ne such stirring address as that I'M
agined by Halleck for Marco Bozzafls,
bursting at midnight upon tie I'M
guarded Turk who lay dreaming IN his
tent. was ever written. But at length
the {roud street car company capltu-
lated The change boys resumed hitch-
ing and unhitching of the tunnel mules,
the south and the north sides OF the
town were again united, social ana
business relations between the severed
sections were resumed and ali went
merry as a marriage bell
But what became of this modern
leader. this latter-day reminder ol
Reinzi. the last Of the tribunes? lie
rose Tor the. occasion like bright eX-
balation of the evening and then was
seen no more. Did he again sink INTO
orr cs1ICrless collection of citizenship
to share our common obseuritY, or dld
he leave this placid, uneXentfui town
for a wider field, one in which MS met
tie as a leader might find recognition
and reeempense? Alas, that there
sbanl5 he no answer to this question.
Heroes are too few that we should mus
lose one, that he should pass through
the portals of oblivion and then DC
heard no more. Sic transit gloria mum
di ''-IndianapoliS News.