Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-05-03
CHAPTER TX
The Speedway

It was in the days after he had
found on his desk a long envelope in
closing a certificate for a thousand
shares Of stock in the Niquoia Electric
Power Lighting and Traction company
that Brouillard began to lose his nick
name Of "Heu's-Fire" among his work
men, with the promise Of attaining, in
due time. to the more affectionate
title of the Little Big Boss
At the envelope moment.
however, he was threatened with an
attack of heart failure. It was scarce
ly belieyable. But a hastily sought in
terview with the company's president
cleared the air Of all the Incredible
ties.
Why. my dear Brouillardt what in
Sam Hin do you take us for? was the
genial retort when the young engineer
had made his doprecatory protest.
Did you think we we're going to cut
the melon and hand you out a piece Of
the rind? Not so, my dear boy; we
are not built on any such uarrow-gauge
lines. That's what we are willing to
pay for a good reliable government
brake. It's going to be your business
10 see To il that the reclamation serv-
ice gets exactly what its contract calls
for, kilowatt for kilOwatt."
I'D do that, anyhow as chief Of con-
stFuction on the dam.
You mean y0u would try 70 DO it,
As IN officer OF the power company.
you can DO IL, as an official kicker on
the outside. You couldn't fea1e Us a
particle Wbat2 You'd put US cut Of
business? Not much, you wouldn't,
we'd play politics with you and get a
man for your Job who wouldn't kick &"
We'll, said the inhertor of sudden
wealth. still matching the promoters
mood, you won't get me fired now.
that's one comfort When viii you
want my expert opinion on your aux.
Hilary damn"
"On our dam. you mean Oh, any
time soon; say tomorrow or Friday
or Saturday. if that hurrIes you too
much we sha'nt want to so to work
on il before Monday"
Bcing himself an exponent OF the
modern theory that the way to do
things is TO do them now. Rrouillard
accepted the hurry order without com
meut. Celebrity. swiftaess OF accom-
pHshment that was almost magical.
had become the Mirapolltan order OF
the day Plans conceived overnight
ioovoI - 4h1fg. o1srCaFt.,va IA fhfv.rg
done as Il the determina.ion to do
them had been all that was necessary
to their realization
You shall have the report tolnor.
row." said the newly created consult
ing engineer, but you cant go to
work Monday The labor market is
empty. and I'm taking il for granted
that you're not going to stampede my
shOvelers and concrete men"
"Oh. no F." concluded the city builder.
1--WE shan't do that. You1l admit-In
your capacity of government watch
dog--that we have played fair IN that
game We have imported every work
man We needed and we shall i'm
port more. That's one thing none Of
VA can afford to do-bull the labor
market. And ii won't be necessary.
we have a trainload OF Italians and
Bulgarians on the way to Quesado to-
day. and they ought to be here by
Monday"
You are n wonder, Mr. Cartwright"
was Drouillards tribute to the worker
OF modern miracles, and he went his
way to ride 10 the upper end Of the
valley for the exploring purpose.
On the Monday. as President Cort-
wright had sc confidently predicted.
the train load Of laborers had marched
in over the war Arrow trail and the
work on the auxiliary power dam was
begun On the Tuesday a small army
OF linemen arrived 10 set the poles
and 20 string the wires for the light
ing of the town. On the Wednesday
there were fresh accessions to the
army of builders. and the freighters on
the Quesado trail reported a steady
stream Of artisans pouring in TO rush
the city-making.
On the Thursday the grading and
paving of Chigringo avenue was be-
gun. and, true to his promise, Mr.. Cort.
wright was leaving a right of way in
the street for the future trolley
tracks. And it was during this event
full week that the distant thunder OF
the dynamite brought the welcome
| tidings Of the pushing of the railroad