CHAPTER XVI
CAR NO. 9176
“Burned out!” exclaimed Ralph, deeply concerned.
“Yes,” nodded Joe, a trifle dolefully. “Labors of years in ashes—Limpy Joe’s Railroad Restaurant a thing of the past.”
“How did it happen?”
“Spite work. Three nights ago, late in the evening, Ike Slump appeared at the restaurant and demanded a free meal. I gave it to him. Then he demanded some money, and I refused it. He became bold and ugly, and told us how his crowd had it in for us, that they knew I had some hand in helping you get that stolen plunder, and would fix us sooner or later. He advised me to buy them off. I sent him away. Last night we discovered the place on fire, and it was burned to the ground.”
Ralph was deeply distressed over his friend’s misfortune. The lame fellow, however, was 125 undaunted. He deplored his loss, but he was by no means discouraged.
“Thankful to have the horse and wagon left,” he said. “I can always earn a living with that. Besides that, we saw Van Sherwin the other day. He is getting on finely, and I think we could get work on the Short Line Railroad. For the present, though, I am going to stay at Stanley Junction. I have a dozen plans for getting a little money together. Will you try us as boarders for a week or two, Ralph?”
“I answered that question a few minutes ago,” reminded Mrs. Fairbanks, “and if you two will sleep in the same room, you will cause no inconvenience whatever.”