Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-11-28

They were building a branch railroad
up the Little Otter valley, and the Nay
August air was vexed with the clatter
OF pick and shovel. the rumble of dump
%casiOnal heavy blast that shook heaven
n earth like a far-resounding thund-
erclap. These were unwonted activities
for that quiet Inc remote country val
ley, nj it's scattered inhabitants
watched them with undisguised ex-
element and wonder. Haying and har-
vesting were now nearly finished on the
upland farms. and. daily, vehicles filed
with entire families came, picnic-wfse,
to the scene Of operations, the people
all in their Sunday best, and gay OF
spirits owe their novel holiday. In
ter1ningled with the family c~arryalls
were also smart buggies. built for two,
in which country lovers and sweet
hearts packed their bliss for a long
DAYS happy outing.
From the eastward over the long
ridge between Little Otter and Big
Otter valleys, toiled heavy wagons,
carrying supplies from the nearest rail-
road station for the gangs of wOrkmen.
These supplies were mostly provisions
and other n~ecessaries for the camps
But occasionally q wagon came along,
covered with a dark c0lored tarpaulin.
carefully dashed down at sides and
ends. Those who knew the signs whis-
ROAC0s 1Al0XS 8OC6 ~ lObO VI Oy1l0s
mtte!!" and every n breathed easier
when 1t had passed out Of sight.
On. q certain Saturday afternoon,
breathless and hot, one. Of these tar
paulin covered wagons reached the top
OF the ridge between Big Otter and Lit
tie Otter valleys. and the driver pulled
up his team to rest: for going down
the slope was almost as hard az COM
Ing up. with the heavy load, in spite Of
brakes. pushing steadily on the pole.
All the way down that long hill, dag
sling With itse white dust. the stones
9 been carefully. picked out Of the
road. lest . jolt should set free the
pent-up demon Of destruction under
the tarpaulin. Yet the driver always
paused On the r1dge-not only to rest
his horses. but because he dreaded that
long dOwngrade. on top Of his two tons
OF dynamite.
What would you do II anything
should give way?' asked q voice be-
hind him. suddenly, this blasting Au-
gust afternoon. The driver started. and
turned on his 9 q A young man. with
2 r1he . his shoulder. and q string
OF gray squirrels dangling from his
oelt' was peering under the great wag-
wood. q by. and his question wa
ike ne unexpected crack Of q u on
the still air.
Wal" replied the driver, recovering
41l0 Oh to0acco TO h opposite cheek,
Il reckon I'd do about the same thine
you would-I'd Jump"
II wouldn't jump" retorted the
youns co1ntryman; that IL. not "a
en.nss are with me now. I shouldn't
care much IL I ven up with the out
Perhaps you wouldn't" replied the
otner. quietly. but I would. rye ROT
9 wife and two kids"
The young man with the rifle sighed
heavily but held his peace.
Doesn't that make q difference p,
urged the driver.
'sYes-it makes q difference m,,t.
tered the other. He walked to the 4 +
q h road and sat down on the banE.
opposite the man on the wagon. :An-
other fellows got my girl" he said'
heavily: You don't know anythina
aoout that. o can't. A man doean.t
c c,1s much about himself. or anythine
~ 49, 49, aL.er That. There's Just one thins
the hot place q little sooner 1cr ~