The Gentleman from Indiana - Page 195/212

Meredith had observed the change in his companion's mood. He had watched

him closely all day, looking for a return of his malady; but he came to

the conclusion that in truth a miracle had been wrought, for the lethargy

was gone, and vigor seemed to increase in Harkless with every turn of the

wheels that brought them nearer Plattville; and the nearer they drew to

Plattville the higher the spirits of both the young men rose. Meredith

knew what was happening there, and he began to be a little excited. As he

had said, there were five people visible at Beaver; and he wondered where

they lived, as the only building in sight was the station, and to satisfy

his curiosity he walked out to the vestibule. The little station stood in

deep woods, and brown leaves whirled along the platform. One of the five

people was an old lady, and she entered a rear car. The other four were

men. One of them handed the conductor a telegram.

Meredith heard the official say, "All right. Decorate ahead. I'll hold it

five minutes."

The man sprang up the steps of the smoker and looked in. He turned to

Meredith: "Do you know if that gentleman in the gray coat is Mr. Harkless?

He's got his back this way, and I don't want to go inside. The--the air in

a smoker always gives me a spell."

"Yes, that's Mr. Harkless."

The man jumped to the platform. "All right, boys," he said. "Rip her out."

The doors of the freight-room were thrown open, and a big bundle of

colored stuffs was dragged out and hastily unfolded. One of the men ran to

the further end of the car with a strip of red, white and blue bunting,

and tacked it securely, while another fastened the other extremity to the

railing of the steps by Meredith. The two companions of this pair

performed the same operation with another strip on the other side of the

car. They ran similar strips of bunting along the roof from end to end, so

that, except for the windows, the car was completely covered by the

national colors. Then they draped the vestibules with flags. It was all

done in a trice.

Meredith's heart was beating fast. "What's it all about?" he asked.

"Picnic down the line," answered the man in charge, removing a tack from

his mouth. He motioned to the conductor, "Go ahead."

The wheels began to move; the decorators remained on the platform, letting

the train pass them; but Meredith, craning his neck from the steps, saw

that they jumped on the last car.