Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-12-12
CHAPTER ~.
The Service Of the Strong.

sion for building 1t was tearing down
its old barns, to build anew, bigger
and stronger. There were cities to be
raised in the deserts; and they must
be made stanch and lasting. The pio-
neer and his harvest must be carried,
not by crawling consstoga and mule
train, but by the power of steam Men
would go down to the sea no longer in
ships of wood, but In floating palaces
that Knocked the storm. Those who
made war we're to be sheltered behind
fmpenetrable ramparts and, again,
equipped with engines and missiles be-
fore which stoutest defenses crumbled
TOilers on land and sea must find in
their hands new weapons, hard and
keen and sure, to bring nature, her
forces and treasures. into bondage and
service
Therefore, STEEL
And, therefore, the army of steel
workers.
A strong west wind had sprung up
during the night and the sun shone
clear on the line of that days recruits.
One by one they passed before a keen
eyed youth-only the young Differed
this army-who. after one glance, &C
cepted or rejected. The enlisted
were turned over to the timekeeper,
who gave them numbered cards and
assigned them to various waiting
squads.
A big Swede, a wiry little French
Canadian and a slow-moving Pole were
passed.
He nodded CURLY to the next appli-
cant. All right! Get your card"
And this recruit was he who had
accepted Thomas Henley's challenge
The latter had already forgotten the
incident, but Mark was still hot with
the determination to prove his mettle
to the tanner.
He gave his name to the time-clerk
and received his card, also the COM
mand, 60 with Houlahans gang"
Thus. he reflected, he had taken the
first step in his campaign of conquest
he was a private In Houlahan's
squad
Git a move on!" Numbered a voice
In his ear. Dye think yez ARE
prathy shtuck in tn ground? Marriott"
1t was the voice of Houlahan. Mark
marched.
Corporal Houlahan had no romantic
conception of his duties, and his tyr
| amy was of a sort to give his under
lings the realistic point of view.
Here. We Oily"
cay bane Johann"
'Ye're Moike, 4 Oh say Ut" beloved
Hou1ahan. He enlarged upon Johann's
dishonorable pedigree. dig I'M"
The Swede, the best worker in the
gang, began to shovel in a nervous
haste that added nothing to his eff
cheney. Mark saw the red creep into
the fair skin.
"Shtir it up, ye Frinch loafer!" the
corporal addressed the next in line.
Were runnin' no barber shop here.
FIR two cints Old bate some worruk
into yez."
1t was tired and sadly fretted gang
the noon whistle relieved Mark
stretched himself out on the ground.
closing his eyes on the dinner pals
his comrades produced; in his eager
ness to be enlisted he had not thought
of his midday meal and he was very
hungry.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and
opened his eyes. The Frenchman and
the Swede sat beside him.
"M'sieu ees 'ongree, eh?" The
Frenchman carefully broke a loaf of
brown bread-an his meal-in the
middle and preferred Mark one-half
I'm t'irsty7" The Swede held out
a bottle filed with cold coffee.
Mark looked covetously at the gifts,
but he shook his head
"M'sieu ate dat dam 'Oula' am" the
Frenchman inquired
81 do" Mark responded with fervor.
Dat max fr'ens out of us, EN-? Eat,
m'sieu."
Hunger overcame scruples. Mark ate
the bread and drank the coffee
Much obliged was hungry You're
all right" He paused inquiringly.
Marcel Masquelier." the French
man completed the sentence
Johann Johannsen,g rolled from the
region of the Swede's stomach
Mark identified himself
Dat YER good name--Br-r-ri" The
exclamation was for the corporal, who,
with the labor boss. approached The
latter glanced over the excavation
How many loads have you taken
out?"
Thirty nine, sor-"
Only thirty-nine ?" the boss reJoined
| sharply 1T ought To - Es
The dom'd loafers won't worruk,"
Houlahan defended himself angrily-
The boss cast his swift appraising
| glance over the resting groupa.