Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 136, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1914 — Page 2

DUGAN'S DELIVERANCE

By JOHN N. HILLIARD.

Through the air trailed a faint, tremulous whistle. The old flagman dropped his newspaper and jumped up j from the rough pine bench as nimbly as is consistent with a wooden leg. Catching up a frayed green flag, he stumped across the rails and took hiß place in the double space between the freight and the passenger tracks. In the distance, where the twin rails ■converged to a point that pricked the horizon, was a blur, which swelled slowly, like the gradual inflation of a balloon. Out of this blur presently emerged a passenger train that bore down on the flagman with the velocity iof a tidal wave. He stood like a wooden figure, the flag held limply in his hand. There was a sound like a rush of ;a million wings, a black streak, n* ‘longer, seemingly, than a dash in the telegraphic code, brushed the eyes, and the flagman turned to see the Cannon Ball express sweeping around a distant curve, throwing the miles over its shoulder; 50 to the hour. The old man hobbled back to his bench and seated himself with a sigh of relief. Then he lighted his pipe. “I can take it easy now for a spell,” he grunted, puffing a cloud of smoke. '“l’m allers as nervous as a woman till the Cannon Ball gets by. Don’t know just why it is, but all the day I feel as if somethin’ was a goin’ to happen to that train, and right at this crossin’, too. When the old gal swings her bustle around the corner, yonder, I feel happy as a kid what’s got a ticket for the circus. “Did you ever know a railroad man what wasn’t superstitious? Sure, they all are, from Chawncey M. Da-poo down to Jimmie Clancey what wipes the locos up at the stable. Every mother’s son of ’em is as leery over signs as a Missouri crap-shooter. “But talk about superstitions! The orneriest chap for superstitions I ever saw in my life was Dugan; I don’t s’pose you ever heard of Dugan, did you, mister? Well, Dan used to fire on old Nine-Eighty-Seven, what hauled the Chicago Limited. He was considered the best man in the bizness; I can say that much in his favor. "Why, he could make a loco draw steam on a grade with no more fuss than a baby suckin’ milk out of a bottle. That’s the test of a fireman. •I used to turn the trick myself when 'I was firing, in the old days, and I can tell you it’s a daisy. It’s somethin’ a feller can’t dig out o’ books, jit’s got to be bom in a chap, just like they say poetry has. “Well, that man Dugan was the craziest fool over signs that ever drew the breath of life. He had all kinds of ■kinks in his brain, and he made life miserable for every engineer he fired for. Billy Farwell used to handle the lever on the limited, and it was only Dugan’s skill with the shovel that •saved him his job.

“Billy used to Bay that Dugan was a hundred times worse than an old maids’ sewing circle, and that he was enough to drive an ordinary man nutty inside a year. You see, he was as fussy as a young lady. He had to do everything in just such a way. “All the money in the world couldn’t have tempted him to climb into the cab on the left side or to jump down on the right side. This nonsense used to make Billy Parwell hopping mad. He’d argue With Dugan by the hour, curse him, and threaten to have him fired. It didn’t do a bit of good, though. Billy wasted just so much good wind, and Dan kept up his monkey-shines. “There was another thing that grated on Harwell's nerves. Dugan believed that it was “unlucky to take more than three steps when he shoveled coal into the furnace. He would take three deliberate steps to the tender, and three more back. One day Farwell gave him a savage push which made Dugan take four steps, and the poor chap was all broke up for a week. “He had to lay off to get his nerves back in working order, and Farwell had to get along with a fellow that didn’t know any more about making steam than a Hottentot does wireless telegraphy. The limited was behind her schedule every day that week, and Billy got a sharp letter from the division superintendent. “He was mighty glad, I can tell you, when Dugan finally showed up at the stables, and he told the fireman that for all he cared he might go the limit with his fool notions. He wouldn’t have anything more to say. "Dugan was a quiet chap, with all his nonsense, and he never tried to talk any one into believeing in his superstitions. None of the boys knew much about him, except that he had drifted back east some time before, And he never offered to take any one into his confidence regarding his past life. "There wasn’t nothing so very strange about that, for railroad men Ain’t much in the habit of talking about themselves. “When Billy Farwell died, Dugan put in an application for his place, and be didn’t have any trouble in passtag the • examination. The superin* tendent knew that his record as a fireman was the heat on the road, and he also knew that the fellow's head was ohuck full of superstitions, and that most of the boys called him crazy. “The superintendent kind o’ thought that it wouldn’t be good policy to put mSL- >v;- ■. ■

such a fellow at the lever, so another man that didn’t know half as much about a loco as Dan was given the job. Dugan kept on firing old Nine-Eighty-Seven just the same as before, and he never peeped a word about being disappointed; but he was, just the same. It was the biggest failure in his life. “One dark night, when the limited was spinning along on bit of the road, Dugan his side of the cab, lopking at the long bar of tight that seemed to bore a hole into the darkness. Suddenly a black shape swept through the open window and next instant was beating its wings against the lamp above the boiler. “It was a bat, and the moment that Dugan saw it his face turned as clammy cold as a corpse. His eyea bulged with fear until they almost dropped from their sockets. The bat settled on an oil-cup, and the red reflections from the gauge lamp made its eyes twinkle like little, red devils. “The engineer’s eyes and thoughts were on the rails ahead, and he didn’t notice the pesky thing until he heard a blood-curdling scream from the fireman. He turned from the throttle and saw Dugan standing in the center of the cab, his eyes blazing like those of a maniac. ** 'Jump for your life!’ screamed Dugan. “ ‘What ails yeh?’ shouted the engineer.’ ' “‘That bat, there!’ the fireman shrieked. ‘lt means a smash-up.’ “The engineer glanced out of the window to the track ahead. At that moment a big yellow light flashed around a curve about a quarter of a mile away. Dugan saw it at the same instant, and with another scream he started to jump. The engineer caught him. — — \ “ ‘lt’s on the other track, you fool!’ ¥ shouted. ‘“You lie!’ Dugan shrieked back. ‘Lemme go.’ “With a madman’s strength he twisted himself out of the engineer’s arms and jumped. “Well, the train was stopped, and a searching party went back to find the mangled body. You can bet that they was mighty surprised to find Dugan alive at the foot of an embankment. After a three months’ vacation in the hospital he came out of the affair with one phony leg. Pretty lucky, wasn’t he? But the best part of the whole thing was that from that day Dugan never believed in superstitions or signs. That night’s experience knocked all that nonsense out of him.’’

“Where’s Dugan now?” I asked, aa tne old man halted in his story. The flagman tapped the pipe on the bench and carefully scraped the ashes out of the bowl. Then he filled it slowly, and packed the tobacco down with his little finger. He lighted the pipe and blew several clouds of smoke toward the ceiling of his little coop. Then he hobbled over to the track and peered down the road. “There’s one o’ them confounded shoats again,” he growled. “They’re jttpt bound and possessed to get on to the tracks, and they’re worse than an elephant for a loco to mix things with.” “But what about Dugan?” I persisted. “You haven’t told me what became of him.” “Oh, I’m Dugan,” said the old man, as he picked up a stone and stumped angrily down the track to bombard the enemy. <Copyright.)

BIRO CENSUS IS BIG TASK

Government Wishes to Ascertain Whether Present Laws Are Efficient for Their Protection. A census of all the birds of the United States is suggested for this summer, and the department of agriculture is inviting bird lovers throughout the country to co-operate in taking it. The object is to determine how many pairs of birds of each species -breed within definite areas; - -By comparing these figures with those of subsequent censuses, it will be possible to ascertain whether the present state and federal law r s are effective and game and insectiyerous birds increasing or diminishing in numbers. As a beginning the department has asked about 250 correspondents throughout the country, who have previously rendered valuable service, to follow a general outline in supplying information.

The correspondents have been advised that the census of the birds should be taken over some area that fairly represents the average character of the country in the immediate neighborhood. It is desired to take a census of the pairs of birds actually nesting within the selected area. It is practically impossible to make this census on the scale of 40 or 80 acres in a single day. A plan which hag been used with advantage for several years Is to begin at daylight some morning the last of May, or the first week In June, and zigzag back and forth across the area, counting the male birds of each species.

Realism.

"Do you suppose he will ever be successful sb a novelist?” "No; his stories are too realistic.” “Too realistic?” "Yes, he ended his last sory: ‘She married a handsome man and lived unhappily forever after.' ”

His Trade.

"There, was a grafter who is well known as such to everybody, came to tny place yesterday to f see If he coulfj make anything off me.” "A politician, 1 suppose?” "No; he’s a Burbank specialist. 1 *

THE EVEJTDfG REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, INI).

Peculiarly Daring Combination

THE attractiveness of this most daring evening gown, one of the recent triumphs of Paquin, is accentuated by the Marie Antoinette albino wig. The wearing of colored wigs has not been taken up with any degree of favor by the leaders of fashion in Paris, but some undeniably beautiful effects have been achieved in this direction under the guidance of such modistes of genius as Paquin. Not for many seasons has such elaborate attention been paid to the coiffure as is now in evidence. Most of the designs are of real beauty, and nothing seems too daring for the costumer to attempt. Odd shapes and brilliant colors in long scarfs of gold or silver tissue are wound once or twice around the head and caught in the most becoming way with beads; rhinestones, pearls, etc.,

Tilted Hat for Those Who Can Wear It

THE hat worn at the much-tilted pose shown In the picture is not for every one. It takes a woman whose style is so finished and pronounced that she can carry off this smart and rakish angle without looking In the least bold. But when the wearer is equal to the emergency there is no getting away from the fact that she has demonstrated that style is a very subtle thing. A means of expression, It is to her, by which she conveys something of herself to those who behold her, even though they may never speak to her. Many hats of all sorts of materials have been turned out in this shape, or shapes similar to it They cover nearly all of one side of the face and form a background against which the other* Bide Is sharply silhouetted.

The hajrpictured this left side is trim trimmed with a very full niching of maline plaited in tiny Bide plaits and supporting an upstanding fan of plaited tnallne. There Is a facing of black velvet all pbout the underbrlm. It forms a piping which outlines the brim edge of straw. The combination of natural leghorn color with the deep black of velvet is very fine. ;; The very low crown In thiß bat Is set into

and are worn low to the top of the forehead with hair below. Cap-shaped bands are of pearls, rhinestones or imitation aigrettes in front. Geld and silver cords are the simplest of bandeaux. Velvet bandeaux are overlaid with a tiny band of rhinestones or iridescent jet. Bandeaux are also formed of spangles. A platinum band in three rows, set with jet and rhinestones, has a fluffy group bf white feathers on the left. A band of jet sequins, closely overlapped, is clasped on the left with an outspread jet butterfly of wire covered with spangles, with three white feathers above. A close turban cap of net, embroidered in Chinese design and worn pulled down, shows only a fringe of hair. Pink satin apple talossoms form a bunch on the left of the coiffure below soft feathers of the same pink hue.

the brim with a second piping of velvet The trimming consists of a fiat cluster of lovely pink roses shading to a deep rose color at the heart of the flowers. A half dozen half-blown roees are circled round the base of a jet spike, which complete the garnishing of a simple but striking effect of the millinery artist The prettiest or rather the most satisfactory hats In this shape, are those made of black high luster straws or fabrics, trimmed with bhudc malices and a few compact high-colored flowers, or else finished in all blade, substituting fruit or ornaments for the flowers. Therp is something in the brilliant blapk of lacquered or high-luster silk surfaces that goes with the pose for which this hat is made. And as a background for a well-modeled, profile there Is nothing like black velvet The side face Is get In relief like a tinted cameo. But it is wise to consider whether the style is suited to one, before indulging in it So there is no harm In reiterating that this hat is not for every one, but for her who oan carry it off.

JULIA BOTTOMLEY.

GOOD JOKES

WAS SOME SALESMAN. The conversation turned to the persistency of the book agent when Congressman William -W. Smith of Texas was reminded of an incident along that dine. Some time ago a book agent approached a party in the West, and notwithstanding the fact that the man had the reputation of. being a hard customer to unload histories on, the agent succeded in selling him a few lives and memoirs. “Mary,’’ said the westerner, turning his his wife, “this is Mr. Smith, the man who sold me thode books a couple of months ago.” “You must be a very wonderful salesman, Mr. Smith,” smiled Mary, who knew the old man. “Wonderful!” exclaimed the husband. “Why, Mary, this man could sell ieicles to the Eskimos.” —Philadelphia Telegraph.

MEAN OF HER.

He (ardently)—Sweetest one, I give you my whole heart. She (coldly):—I have never cared for giblets.

The True Version.

Maud Muller on a summer's day Observed the hired man raking hay. She criticized him, found much fa.ult, And said’he wasn’t worth his salt.

Not a Good Test.

Tom —I’ve seen the girl I want to marry. I stood behind her at the ticket window this morning and she took seven mlputes to buy a flve-cent

elevated ticket! Alice —Did that make you want to marry her? Tom—Yes; I figured out that she could never spend my income at that rate.

He Still Had It.

"Look here, you swindler!” roared the owner of the suburban property to the real estate man. '"When you sold me this house, didn’t you say that in three months I wouldn’t part with it for $10,000?” “Certainly,” said the real estate dealer calmly; “and you haven’t, have you?”—Ladies’ Home Journal.

An Advantage.

“There is one way in which women's housekeeping experience will help them at the polls." “In what way?” “In folding blanket ballots."

Useful Advice.

“ ‘Know thyself,’ was the old Greek adage.” “Good advice. Follow it, my son, and also try to get slightly acquainted with your wife.”

Its Use.

“I notice the orchestra used a rack for its instruments.” "Yes, and when they take their Instruments off it, the audience are put on it.”

Johnnies Everywhere.

Mother —Jane is very foolish to go out in thin slippers on such a stormy day; Bhe needs someone to look after her. v 'Father —She’ll find them on every corner. . '

The Supreme Test.

"Do you think that women are really In earnest about the right to vole?” “You bet they are_, when they can’t be scared off by having to tell their real age." ,Z',

A Slight Mistake.

'"The patient whp was so badly cut on the head, is mending.” “I thought It was the doctor who was mending. I saw him. sewing the patient up.”

Qualification.

Indignant Daughter—l won’t marry old Goldbags! He has nothing to recommend him except his money. Mother (soothingly)—And heart tisease, my dear.—Pennsylvania Punch Bowl,

Have to Be.

”J have found out'that the young man who is calling on our Mame is Interested In the manufacture of wax candles.” ■ *f " “Then bis Intentions must be cereous.” *

ONE ON CHOLLY.

Cholly—l lost nearly SIO,OOO the other day. “ ,X V; Molly—l guess you mean you nearly lost SIO,OOO don’t you? In other words, you would have lost it if you’d had it.

So Far as You Know?

“All men are liars!” David groaned. 'Twas spoken hastily, he owned. • And yet, alas!—likewise, alack! Did David ever take It back?

Following His Course.

“How is my inebriate patient getting along?” inquired the doctor, breezily. “He has been singing all morning,” ; replied the nurse. “Singing, eh? And what has be been singing?” . r “ ‘Sailing, sailing, over the bounding sea.’ ” “Hum! Let’s see his chart.”

Move Forward.

Patience —This paper says that women are employed as car conductors in the cities of Chile. Patrice—Well, men like to hear women say “move up.” /

WHAT DID SHE MEAN?

Mr, Shallowpathe—l say, do you er-er-believe in» evolution, you know; that we are all er-er-desoended from monkeys? Miss Kutting—l never used to.

Will Soon Be Cheaper.

Strawberries grow on creepers low; They differ from the peach. But what’s the diff when rates are stiff And both are out of reach?

Delicate Hint.

Balladist —Don’t you think if I’d cut one of my songs it would improve my act? Stage Manager—Yes, about 25 per cent.

Got Mixed.

Tommy—My, but them English people have funny names for their warships. * Billy—What are they? Tommy—l heard papa reading where they had five skerred anothings.

The. Man Seeker.

“I know at least one office that always has to seek the man." “That so? I’d like to know which one it is.’’ “The detective office.”

“Pop, does a repeating rifle give a crack?” "Oh, I suppose so.” “Then does a parrot gun get a cracker 7”

Not a Professional.

Ned —What did Miss Petite say after you kissed her? Ted —She told me to call on Friday hereafter, because that was amateurs’ night.—Judge. * ro - :,;

Don't You?

Bacon—lt is said that 90,000,000 bsom handles are used annually in the United States; one for each man, woman and child. Egbert—Something wrong with that calculation. Iyknow men who get a good many mo?e than one a year.

Obeying St. Paul.

Her Dad—What do you mean, sir, by embracing my daughter? Young Man—l was merely Obeying the Scriptural injunction to “Hold Cast that wbldt 18 good.” . V;

Queries.