Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 10, Number 13, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 27 September 1879 — Page 6

This Btory was commenced in The Mall of last week, and introduces to the reader its leading characters. Bell Diamond, the hero, is caught by the magnate of the vil lage, Squire Arnold, in the act of castigating that worthy's son, for an insult offered BelL The enraged squire undertakes to punish Bell, bat, missing his mark, falls over the prostrate form of drunken Ned Darrel, who immediately awakes to the sense that he is being imposeo upon, and proceed* to unceremoniously punish his disturber. An ot&cer comiug along, both offenders are ordered nnder arrest, but are rescued by Mr. Ashton, who happened to witness the whole transaction. The expe lienee of the day proved a good lesson to Barrel, who promises to become a sober man and an industrious one. Bell succeeds in purchasing the remains of the foundry to the disgust of Squire Arnold, who threat ens to put his old grandparents out of the house which they had rented of him. Nell becomes a partner in the foundry transao tion, and proceeds to work while Bell goes to the neighboring town of Cedarville to perfect some arrangements in connection with tne work. While there he succeeds in rescuing Ella Dupage from a very serious accldcnt, which is the means of gainibg him Influential friends. While in Cedar vllle he hears of the snocess of bis specula tion and secures an advance with which to meet his first payment to the company, after which be starts on his return home and we now find him on his Journej.

urther." "Go back, then," said Bell, as he edged away fiom the man, whose sinister eyes indicated some wicked design. "What do ye s'pose I've come this fur for?" "I neither know nor care." "I've come this fur, I hev," said the tramp, coolly and moving toward his intended victim, "to divy yer swag." "To what?" demanded Bell, in a puzzled tone of voice. "To divide yer cash. It's in yer vest pocket and I mean to hev- id" "Well, you won't get it!" retarned Bell, firmly grasping his stick and piling himself in an attitude of defense.

The tramp made a lunge at him. Alas! for bin clumsiness and eagerness. He lost his footing, slipped ftom the tie and fell full twenty feet below into the water. "Murder! Help! I'm drowning!" he yelled, as he clung for hia life to a slimecovered pile. "Swim, then," said Bsll, moving on. "I can't!"

rtora the Novelist,

A STORY F0K130YS.

BY PROF. T. B. ALDERSON.

CHAPTER V. 0* Y. THE Tit A MP.

The road was a lonely one but straight, and if he lacked company Ball had the consciousness that thirty straight miles would bring him to his proposed destination.

He trudged on, whistling merrily, and feeling elated over his unexpected success, when just as he was passing :t stretch of woods, he beard a voice behind him.

He turoed quickly and was somewhat startled at the close proximity of a rough looking man who approached him and walked along by his side.

From the first Bell did notlike his companion's manner and answered his interrogations in monosyllables,

"Goinjj far?" queried the tramp.

"How far?" "Thirty "Then you're going to Clifton?" "Yes." "So am I we'll travel in company." Bell was fcilent. "Ye haven't any objections, hev ye?" asked the man. "Because if ye hev, I'll jist drap ahind." "Oh no," replied Bell, preferring an open view of nis companion to a risk of being attacked in the rear, if the tramp's intentions should happen to be evil.

They walked on in silence some time, until they reached a trestle work upon which the track ran.

Suddenly on the very center of this, the tramp stopped. "See hyar, my lad," he said inadisa

rreeable tone of voice "I ain't goin' any

jv.

"Then drown!" The asperity of temper exhibited by the young man, while not commendable, was somewhat excusable. A cold ducking to the villian was nothing in his mind to the powible loss of his precious money, and he would not delay. "Hold on!" cried the tramp, "I can't I've got business to attend to." "Please help me out—I'U drown if yon don't!" "You'll rob me if I do." "No I won't I was only foolinV*

I ii

vpm

old

joI

The lad stri

saw

the slippery timber. peril and wising a the side of the track, and pushed it over to th- tfron "Now float ashore," h»- ud.

his

«trestle

frowning man.

The traoip did so. Weak and anaged to reach the river's bank fe^oded the slope to the railroad. "You've saved my life!" he said, eying -.'j r.iiw. 1 «orry for lt if you go robbing any m"I won't—I swear I wont! I'm an a-rf-J? «*d y} }*T

"And I want to say that hunger and not cumedsma made me wicked. What'* name?" "Bell Diamond." "I'll remember thai. Good-by, younk«r. I'll be a baiter matt arte* this lesson, I swear," move! ofY trc wn as he

A tiiiiruiDO wuvuod Bcli A t, he cr.o 1 ».:it tht preUuniedaud there went 1-.aA

*'a

am."

'.WW?-

f**

He was all anxiety to go to the foundry. and arriving on the scene of action, he found Ned Darrell and two other men work, while three boys were engaged in cleaning and piling the bricks. Near by was an immense pile of Babbitt metal in little oblong bars—some melted into a solid mass, but the greater portion of it uninjured—while a heap of twisted and broken iron pipes, shafting, melted iron and the like, lay promiscuously together. The timbers were piled up and perfect order and system prevailed in the work under operation. "Hurrah!" cried Ned, as he saw his young "Back again' eh?" "Y«memployer.

Darrell. How is it?"

"We've struck it rich. The supply room ain't half cleared yet and I understand there's a heap of copper and brass in it. How did you succeed at Cedarville?" "All right. I made a good raise on the Babbitt metal." "Good for you!" and Ned reramed work while Ball started down into the village.

He found Mr. Castle had gone away, but Mrs. Castle informed him mat the contract was left with Squire Arnold for adjustment, and thither the lad bent hia steps. "I've come to pay one hundred dollars on the Eureka foundry contract," he said, simply, as he altered the squire's office.

Mr. Arnold produced the contract. "Where's your money?" he demanded roughly.

Bell counted out a hundred dollar*, saw the amount credited on the contract and turned to leave. "You've managed to play a skin game on me, haven't your* sneered the justice. He could not allow the youth to depart without a thrust at him. "I don't know how. I Ud for the junk and am ready to keep my contract.'' "f suppoae this moneys good?"growled the squire. "It came fiom the Cedarville bank," j*. turned BelL "You'veonly seven day* to pay two hundred in," said the squire. "I have it ready," confidently asserted Bell. "I doubt it. The old tKiI?r and engine ar«

K,:mt

I 6 TEftRli HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING

•m.

70U

"If I loan you some money, will promise to make good use of it?" "I can't take yer money, my lad. Ye teched my heart, and wiped out its cusssdness and meanness."

Bell took out his roll of bills and selected one. -"There's a five dollar note," he said and banded it to the tramp. "Make^good use of it and be abetter man,"

He walked away with a quickstep, proud in the consciousness of having done a kind act. Moved bv an uncontrollable desire to see the last of the tramp, he turned and a scene long to be remembered met his gaze. *,»

raw

The poor, homeless man was j°n knees in prayer.

Work had begun on the ruins of the old foundry on Wedi

It was Friday when Bell Diamond awoke from a deep slumber produced by the fatigue of his long walk and the excitement of the past few days.

He had arrived home about midnight and had sought hia room at once, without disturbing the old folks. He hurried down into the kitchen to find a meal all ready and his grandparents joyous over his safe return. "The whole town is talking about your speculation," said Mr. Page in a pleasant tone. "They've found considerable iron." "That's good," said Bell, cheerily. "I knew it would pan out well."

ou know, rc Arnold?"

"I gu -i it. None yout insolent you younfr rtgabomir' As Bell v. givis? no isaolence and «S :u*t it''" I ({ive .iiif, h® whely !..» I'lricl irom the

1 •.

.Vims of law.

He was very busy that day and the next. In fact, as the excavation and removal of the debris went on, a vast amount of valuable material wa. unearthed.

Chi Monday morniug he employed three more men and as many boys. In the evening be went over to Ned Darrell's house. He was gratified to see the smiling face of Mrs. Barrel I, and saw the two little children, so happy, as they climbed up playfully on their father's knees.

Even one week of sobriety had brought peace and hapt^netss to that little home. We have to pay two hundred dollars in a- few d«ys. Have you time to take a walk, Ned? "Ye.* and he kissed bis wife and children and joined his young companion.

They walked to the old foundry and sat down upon a pile of bricks in the shadow of the mill. "I must raise that money some way," said Bell, in some perplexity. "Squire Arnold holds the contract and Mr. Castle is out of town. But hark! What was that?"

Both crouched low in the shadow. Presently they saw a stealthy form creeping toward a pile of castings lying a few yards away from the anxious watchers.

They saw the fellow take up a number of pieces of copper and fill a small sack. In an instant the two sprang forth upon the tresspasser.

It wad Sam Arnold! "We've caught you, you young thief!" cried Ned, triumphantly. "Bring him .along, Bell."

his "Where are you going to take me?" cried the terrified bov. "To jail, of course." "But, my father!" "What do you care for your father? By the way, I guess, on the whole, we will take you to your father first."

"•YOU HAVE STOLEN THOSE BONDS, feELL DIAMOND. ARREST HIM!' CRIED THE CASHIER, HOTLY. THE OFFICER CAUGHT THE YOUTH BY THE ARM AS HE WOULD HAVE DONE"TO A COMMON THIEF.'

They led the trembling culprit to the residence of the. squire. Ned rang the door bell, and the Hid squire himself appeared. "What is the matter?" he demanded, as his eve glanced over the group. "Matter enough, Squire Arnold your son's been stealing."

Stealing! No, its some job you are putting up on him." The young man held up the bag containing the copper.

The justice paled visibly. He recognized the old ba£ as one of his own. What are you goiag to do?" he faltered at length. -$• "Commit him to jail." "I wouldn't do that, gentlemen," he said in a subdued tone of voice. "Let's call quits on this business and I'll withdraw the suit against you for assault and battery." "That's fair, Squire but if we ever catch the young thief again at such work, we'll prosecute him sure."

The judge winced at the allusion to his son's habit?, but kept a judicious silence and his visitors retired, leaving Sam to his fate, fl "I must go to Cedarville to-morrow," said Bell, finally. "What for?" "To borrow the two hundred dolling." "Who will lend it to you?" "Mr. Dupage."

But this time our hero did not walk. had heard of a farmer at the outskirts of the village having a team to hire, and thither he immediately repaired.

He soon made a bargain for the horses and the wagon for one month, for ten dol lars and their keeping, and went on his way to Cedarville.

He did not call at the Dupage mansion, hut drove at once to the office of the rail road manager, who welcomed him cordially. "Well, my boy," he asked, what news?" "Good news, sir. Everthing is progressing nicely bat I have a payment to make, and wish to arrange for another advance." "Very well how muchf "Two hundred dollars."

The gtnUemen took out hia chock book and drear up a check, "Will that dol* he asked. "Why, this a five hundred!' ejaculated Belt, in amazement "You may need it." "What if my venture ehoold not ute* oeed?" 5552 -ruTSnW/

Bell Celt certain Mr. Dupage had been endorsing him, hat innsted in drawing op a note and afte.* some little business transactions, the two parted, the young man pro rising to call at the house upon hi* next visit to town.

The dajra went quickly and busily by. The debris had all been cleared away *pt the holler and engine, which went for the last. Then the horses were hlli to the two car*, and they were drawn from

It 1 was a day's work filling the cars, and whe$ they were loaded four horses were required to draw them. Two men accompanied Bill oa his journey to Cedarville, atd although the movements of the train were^slofr, they found no difficulty until 1 hey reacued the bridge near the town. The horses however were made to swim the river, and with the assistance of some farmers near at hand, the cars were pulled over1 the trestle work and the horses re* hitched.

Four loads were hauled in this way, and two weeks after the time of commencing work all tiie metals found in the ruins ol the Eureka foundry had been delivered, the cars returned to Clifton and the hordes paid for. The boiler and engine had not yet been touched.

That night was a joyful one to Bell Diamond. Early in the evening he went over toNed Darrell's house. have come to settle accounts, Ned," he said. "All right, Bell sit down."

An houi later the two men had made out the account, which amounted to ten hundred and eighty dollars. "Phew!" ejaculated Ned, jubilantly. "Who would have thought it?" "Yes," replied Bell, "we've made over five hundred dollars. The expenses amount to five hundred and sixty, leaving a balance of five hundred and twenty. Out of this you have one hundred and thirty."

Bell counted out the amount and handedit to him.

CHAPTER VI.

A MAGNIFICENT SCHEME.

All had indeed gone well with the young speculator. With four hundred dollars in his pocket, a fair credit at Cedarville, and the most valuable part of the junk still lying buried under the debris of the old boiler and engine house, he had reason to congratulate himself on his enterprise. Sam Arnold's father had not troubled his grand parents and Sam himself while intensely jealous of his enemy's success, kept judiciously silent on account of his recent unsuccessful peccadillo.

But Bell had mighty projects in his head and was only awaiting future developments to inaugurate an immense scheme he bad on foot.

He was somewhat surprised one day, upon reaching the ruins, to find the debris cleared away and the boiler and engine exposed to view. With the exception of a lew cuts and a trifling tension on some of the parts, both the engine and the boiler was uninjured. A gentleman stood near by watching the labor of the men. In a moment Bell recognized him as Mr. Ashton. "I am glad to see you, my friend," the gentleman said kindly. "I was looking at yonder boiler and engine, Who do tbey belong to?" ^-*4" "To me, sir."

The gentleman stared in surprise. "To you?" he said. "Yes sir. I bought the old sho] and have sold everything but the boiler and engine, and the bricks and timber." "Do you want to sell the boiler and engine?" "Yes sir." -Q "Your priae?''• "I have none as yet.'' "1 will pay you one thousand dollars cash for them

Bell trembled with suppressed excitement "Ooe thousand dollars!" h« echoed amazement, "Yes I wish ene at Ashton. I will remove it juy*lf,"

accept, sir."

"Very well, I will be in town again In one week and by that Ume I will have all the debris cleared away."

One week later our hero had sold the bricks at one dollar per thousand and bad received the money for hia engine and boiler and the day following a well dressed yonog man. with over a thousand dollars in his poeaet, started for Cedarviile in company with Ned Darrell. "No more work!" sighed the latter. "You are mistaken, Ned. Yon need to he an engineer on the Qifton & Cedarville railroad before it waa abandoned, did you notf

hYd"

"Would you like the job again?"

Wouldn't I but they wont employ me." "Look here, Ned Darrell, I'm going into an Immense speculation." "Be careful. Bell, and don't risk you money." ain't going to, though it's a 1% venture." "What i« ItT "I'm going to run the Clifton it Cedarville rauroM." "Going to ran the railroad!0 echoed

the *v:-d to the jckat tj^Hboadry.«Ned Darteii, doming to fall atop, and

A IT.

azing intently at his companion's earnest ace "are you craay, Bell?" "Not much, I feel all right anyhow." "How are you going to buy a railtoad then?" "With money." "A thousand dollars won't go far." "I kno* it,"

Ned was silent. He had faith in his companion's enterprise and tact, but thw last scheme was too gigantic for his com prehension. "I am going to try and ran the isilroad from Cedarville to Clifton, and I believe I can do it," firmly replied Bell.

When they arrived at Cedarville, Ned went to a friend's, while Bell walked slow ly toward the residence of Mr. Dupage. He was not a little proud of his new clothes and like all young meu, was somewhat vain of his appearance. On the way he met Edward Dupage. "Halloo, Diamond!" bhouted the young man: "going up to the house?" "Yes." "Primped un somewhat, ain't yqu Been making a haul lately?" "Yes. about one thousand dollars," "In a horn!" "Oh, no, in reality."

Edward looken dubious. "Do you smoke yet?" "No." "Nor play billiards?" "No." "Humph! what are you going to do with your money, then?" "Save it and inVest it."

Mr. Edward Dupage sneered audibly He knew of no pleasure, except in the

&?<

•ii-".

,•

I'A W#

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Jm§

amusement he had mentioned, unless was attending the theatre or horse racing. They soon reached the house. Ella was in ecstacy over her visitor. "You bad boy, for not coming before!" she exclaimed and then she turned to a young gentleman who stood by her side

Mr. Diamond—Mj. Arnold, my cousin!'^ It was the squire's son. Bell bowed to him, coolly. "We are already acquainted, I believe, Mies Ella." "Yes, I know, and won't it be nice to have you both here and all acquainted

But Sam looked anything but pleased, and Bell kept his own counsel as to the questionable antecedents of Miss Ella's cousin, who it seemed had come on a visit to Cedarville.

Mr. Dupage was in the library and Bell was soon summoned thither. He spent half an hour in detailing his success of the past month, and then broached the subject of his visit to Cedarville. "You are the manager and have entire control of the Boston & Cedarville railroad at this pointy have you not, Mr. Dupage?" "Yes." "t want to see you about the line running to Clifton. Is it for sale?".

A smile broke over the features of the gentleman. "Why, do you want to buy it?" "I do

Mr. Dupage laughed heartily. "You must excuse me, Bell, but your enterprise and pluck have run against a snag this time." "How that, sirfJ^ 'The twenty miles of railroad running from Cedarville to Clifton cost, in grading, bridges, depots and rails alone, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, the coaches thirteen thousand and five hundred, and the freight car* nine thousand and two hundred. The pay roll «mounted to two thousand five hundred a month and with the repairs and shop bills, together with printing and other incidentals, cost us for the year and a half we were in operation over fty thousand. Now, what do you think, my jroung friend?" "I thick I wotilu like to investigate the thing." "All right, Bell, I admire you. ,,luck, and will listen to yon: but I first warn you that eighteen month's experience on the road cost the company a small fortune. The passenger traffic along the route is transient and insignificant and nearly all the freight from the villages intermediate between Cedarville and Glenville is shipped by water. The original intention of the road waa to run to Glenville. The road waa completed half way to Ashton and then abandoned." "Mr. Dupage," said Bell, earnestly, "this is business to me and I wish to submit my propoaition. Your engines and cam are not in tue and your stations are going to rack and rain.' I wish to lease the running right, stations, telegraph line, one engine, two passenger coaches and four freight can for one year. I wish the tne ol your depot here to connect with the Boston A Cedarville road, and the use of your prards and engine room. All this material is lying idle oa your hands. The season at Ashton, the prettiest town cm the lake, i* jost opening, and thare will be a

fair pa»enger traffic. I will lease your road by the month for a year and return your stock in good order. What will you ch r«e me a month?''

T.ie railroad manager looked perplextd. He realized that the new railroad would in no way interfere with the profits of the Boston & d*rv«lle, but on thf contrary, would largely augment then. But he wished to save hisyoung friend from wasting his time and money. He thought it could succeed. They had failed with uulimited capital, then what could a beirdless boy with a few hundred dollars do'

He talked long and earnestly with Bell, but the latter w.ts determined and at last he agreed to t-ubtml the matter for the approvdl of the directors of the road and train as favorable terms as was possible for the young adventurer.

He invited, uay in.-Hted upon, Bell remnining at his residence until the matter was decided, and the following three days were pleasant one.-* to the young man, unaffected by the aneers of Edward Dupage, or the sullenness of Sam Arnold, who were boon companions.

At the end of the third day the young man was called to a meeting of the directors and was leased the road for one year, upon the terms he had submitted, for five hundred a month, payable in advance monthly.

And when Bell Diamond retired to rest that night he had engaged Ned Darrell as his engineer, and was the sole lessee of the Cedarville & Clifton railroad.

Jti CHAPTER VII, "h THE PLOTTERS. It was a magnificent morning when the engine, bright aad resplendent with new paints and highly burnished bearing, stood attached to two passenger coaches which bad likewise undergone a complete process of transformation, awaiting the conductor's signal to start for Clifton from the depot at Cedarville, Ned Darrell and his fireman and brakesman were fresh and ready for their labors, and Bell Diamond, bright and cbeery, attired in the conventional conductors garb of brass bnttons and uniform cap, welcomed the little party, consisting of the Dupage family, Including Sam Arnold and

Mrs.

Dupage and

the families of several of the directors of the road, who had honored the young man with their presence upon the

most

auspicious moment of his life. Tbe signal was given, tbe little engine started out amid tbe oheers of the assembled crowd and steamed slowly towards the suburbs of Cedarville.

Onoe in the country tbe train sped

along swiftly, a thing of life and beauty. Cattle raised their heads in wide-eyed amazement at the unusual sight, and an

astonished throng greeted the train at the first station. Here, as all along tbe route, Bell distributed a large number of circulars giving out the announcement that hereafter tbe train would run regularly between Cedarville & Clifton, stopping at all intermediate stations for passengers and freight and having the soheduleB of time. By the time the train bad reached Lakeside, tbe first station north of Clifton, there were fully one hundred passengers aboard.

Tbe engine Bteamed slowly into Clifton, and parted with its load at the depot, Half of tbe village bad hastened to tbe spot at tbe unexpected sight, and tbe railroad magnates were invited to the Clifton House, where Bell proffered them a sumptuous repast.

The town was fairly alive with excitement. Once more it bad beoome a railroad town, and Squire Arnold and a dozen other prominent men of the town greeted tbe railroad magnates upon their return to the depot.

During dinner this polite individual had prepared a speech and had the station ornamented, and, as chairman of a hastily appointed oommittee of his townsmen, was ready with a welcome to the men who bad again run the railroad to Ciifton. He approached Mr, Dupage, his brother-in-law, and began bis speech, when tbe latter hastily pushed Bell Diamond forward. "This is the lessee of the road, gentler men, and to him you owe your gratitude. fo,r our being here to day,"

Tbe village magnate turned white and red by turns, blundered through bls^ speech, and the blushing Bell responded^"' in a few well timed remarks. Then tbe entleman were invited to a ride to Ce* arville and return, and tbe train started again.

Along tbe road weloome greeted them everywhere. The stations were decor-( a ted with flags and flowers, and a tri-\ umphal march was made to Cedarville.

At four o'clock tbe train started for:' Clifton and began its first business trip on tbe following morning.

And that Saturday night Bell Diamond found that tbe paasenger receipts for four days bad been two hundred and forty dollars, and tbe freight receipts'one hundred and twenty-five. Surely a fair beginning, If it only continued.

Bell Diamond bad reached tbe highest ambition of hia mind. He had gained a good credit and a fair position, and he was benefitting bis fellow men. Toe intricacies of a railroad were aimplilled and systemlzed under his keen supervision, and every unnecessary expense waa curtailed.

The paasenger train left Clifton at 9 a. m.. arriving at Cedarville at 10:30 a. in. It left tbe latter place at 12 and again started Ironi Clifton at 3. The l»*t run made from Cedarville at

hi.,

arriving at Clifton at 8 in tbe evening. Two paasenger coaches were run, having: seating capacity of two hundred per-' aona. Four freight cars were usually run with tbe afternoon train.

Business had become brisk with the' road, the paasenger rates were commuted' considerably, and tbe freight rates were" placed very low in order to compete with the lake traffic. Everything was going well, and our young hero was highly elated, when an event occurred which Indicated tbe existence of an enemy.

One Saturday night tbe young railroad manager had been invited to remain at Cedarville by Eila Dupage, and her brother and Sam Arnold, wDo waa still remaining there, took him down town with thom. Although ho was averse to their company, out of ordinary politeness be accompanied them into a billiard parlor. Several games were played but be refused to Join in them. Finally Sam approached and asked for a loan. "Only for a day or two," "How mucb?" queried Bell. V.,2 "Five dollars."

Bell banded him tbe money. This was but the beginning of a system of dead-beating on tbe part of both Edward and Sam. Tbey borrowed money and never paid it bask. They rode on the train free, until one day Bell aaid to tbem: "Hereafter, every man who tides on the train must pay." "Tbe train goas jost as fast with two more aboard," aaid Sam. "That doean't matter. If I carry everybody free, Where's my profit to come from?" [Cotdt iwed on SeraUh Page.]