Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-08-04
By GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTER
Copyright, 1918, BY the Bobbs-
Merrill Co
CHAPTER VI.
a title 0uainess Talk.

ana p6nL1nS ana Eueu0duC JOiAScu Oi0
accommodation train stopped with no
apparent provocat ton. and before
Toad's very eyes appeared lineman,
descending telegraph pole with alter
nate stabs Of his splendidly spiked
feet. The lineman, reaching the
ground and picking up few scatter
ed tools, climbed into the car, leaving
the scenery absolutely vacant except
for some bare rolling hills on bis side
Of the train and on the other some
equally bare datland.
Apparently finding the additional
weight OF one bony faced human being
too much for its feebleness. the train
presently heaved itself rid Of some
heavy machinery; then it puffed and
auivered relievedly away. though not
so rapidly but that Wallingford, gazing
idly out the window, had ample time
to read upon the largest machinery
crate. "Dougalbobber Brothers, Dou-
galville."
In the meantime Toad Jessop was
acquiring information as rapidly as tho
bony faced 1ineman could deliver 1t to
him.
"Say, what was you dom up on that
pole?" demanded Toad, planting him
self firmly upon his knees just In front
Of the seat the pole climber had taken.
The lineman sorted out Toad's blue
eyes from amid his freckles and liked
them. 81 was up there Strengthening
a kink in the wire," he answered.
"Why?" demanded Toad.
cit was gettin' the messages twisted"
"Howy'
well. you see the 'o's' and as and
.e's.' the WIS and ms ard MS and
such letters as that slide right around
kirk. but the ks and 'q's' and VS.
and KS especially the capital KS
always stick
This being a perfectly logical expla-
nation and one which anybody could
understand. Toad pursued that subject
no further.
"What's all that machinery for they
put OF back there?" he next impaired
'That's 4 calico mill" the man
promptly responded.
Toad hattened his face against the
klass in vain attempt to look back
ward. then he hurried to the rear door.
a curve and hill hid the spot from
tiew. what kind Of = millr' hs ask
ed doubtfully upon bis return.
"A calico MILL" repeated the line
inan. Didn't you notice the acres and
lcres Of calico grass around there?"
Toad, with another glance at the
rear door, shook his head sadly and
looked out the window In the hope
that he might see . stray sample Of
calico grass. He was still at that vain
Ind Improbable employment when
Wallingford walked past on his way to
the smoking compartment
"Say, boss" he hailed Walingford
"do you know calico grass when you
Zee it?''
.rm afraid not, Toad" replied Wal
iingford, smiling. "WhyT'
There was SO much Of 1t back where
Ire stopped" explained Toad with
troubled brow, "and I didn't see IL.
They put on the machines for . calico
mill there. you know"
Wallingford turned with a puzzled
expression to the bony faced passen-
ger, who looked up at him and laughed.
Hes such q smart lookin' kid I
couldn't help tryin' to see how much
he'd stand for" tho lineman pleasant
y observed, and Toad wheeled instant
" to bend upon him q clear and indig-
pant glare
"Ore crushing machinery, isn't itr'
guessed Wallingford.
"Iron," replied the other with q nod,
surveying with interest and approval
ahe important looking big man, whose
round pink face spoke SO plainly Of
cheerfulness and good living.
Much Of a depositY' inquired Wal
iingford, with the instant interest Of
man commercially inclined
They say it's q wonder. The Dou-
they ara They're hustlers. Next
week spur track Is to be put in back
to the mines" He paused and smiled
over the magic Of things. "Dougalville!
There amt Z Twin soul back there
now, but in q month It'll be good
sized town, out hust1n' for electric
lights and trolley cars"
"Also Il will have real estate boom
and six saloons" agreed Wallingford,
IND passed on to the smoker.
Toad followed him. "Say." observed
Toad in panied tone. that man back
there" here hs pulled down Walling-
fford's ear ana whispered into 1t, "why,
he's liar!''
]. Rufus Wallingford, respectable
hnd prosperous real estate dealer. and
bis messenger boy. valet, companion
md friend, Toad Jessop. finished their
business In the northwest In four daya
On the return trip Wallingford had
mileage torn Of a. far 10 bleak harren
Dougalv1lIs only. He had expected to
stop between trains and survey the
lonesomeness % mere raw material,
but no found there tiny telegraph
station and waiting room which had
been showed Oh q freight car intact.
apparently even to the operator, for
that funct1onary was inside; he found
h roughly built frame shack labeled
"Kimbely mine ONCE" he found
gang Of railroad laborers putting down
! haK graded, wabbly spur track. and
up the favine into which It was head
I'd he saW, against u background Of
s0iled little tents. q swarm Of human
ants setting machinery In place and
another swarm digging an impressive
looking tele n the ground.