Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1875-04-22
"Be off or I'll turn you over to the

ponce.
The two little fiddlers ran hastily down
the steps but as soon as the door closed
Bobbit's courage returned.
"Come on, Jimmy, let's play here,
then Well give 'em Americy thatT
take"
Putting his miserable little painted
fiddle under his chin he began to flourish
his bow, and Jimmy followed his ex-
ample with his poor instrument.
| As a result of this mutual flourish of
bows there followed a series of unearthly
sounds that quickly brought a row of
childish heads to the window.
The two little fiddlers watched the
noses fiatten against the pane.
Presently another face looked out
above the children, and the window was
opened.
"Go away, boys" said the gentleman
pleasantly. "We have music enough.
Here is something for Christmas" and
he threw silver piece out upon the pave
ment.
eyes, sir, we'll CO." said Bobbit, tax
ing his violin from his shoulder, and
turning to go down the street.
sob, wait little fiddler !" cried one of
The children. "Here is something else,
and horn of candy fell at Bobbit's feet;
then the window closed between the
wanderers and the warmth and light of
bright room.
"Now we are all right" said Bobbit,
briskly. "In go get the chunks O. wood,
an you get lot o. cold fellers together,
an meet me out to that ere car"
Jimmy was off like fash, and his
companion ran as fast in another direc-
ton. At the woodward the little silver
piece was changed for pine knots and a
bunch of matches, then with light Bob
bit trudged on and on till he came to a
wrecked baggage car that had been left
ON a side track.
He crept beneath it, put his fiddle and
his fagots up through hole in the floor,
then worked his way up into the dark car.
Once inside he soon lighted one of the
matches to find bis way to the rusty cyl
inder that had served as a stove, and
there he slowed his wood and kindled his
! fire.
The flame waxed brighter and bright
er, till even the corners of the old car
were obliged to yield up the secrets that
they held.
There was not much to be seen, how
ever; only an old box or two and stool;
but Bobbit was glad of even small IA
vors, and he arranged them around
the fire for the comfort of his guests.
On the largest box he laid the dainty
horn of silver paper, and let the sweets
roll ont upon the boards.
How tempting they were to hungry
Bobbit, who had eaten no supper! But
he closed his mouth tight, and warmed
his hands while he waited for his guests.
Soon he heard tramp of feet and muir
muir of voices, and Jimmy's head
appeared through the hole in the floor.
SCOT lot of fellers p asked Bobbit,
anxiously.
For answer Jimmy stood aside, and
up through the floor tumbled regi-
mentof ragamuffins, who crowded around
the fire without ceremony-jostling and
pushing for the best places.
eli, amt this nice 2" cried Bobbit
gleefully, standing back to give the
others the better chance.
No one deigned to answer indeed
quite conflict was raging around poor
Bobbit's fire.
Then the silver horn caught the eye of
one of the boys, and, with shout, he
bounced upon it.
Before Bobbit or Jimmy knew the
cause of the extra commotion the candy
was all eaten or trodden upon, and the
conflict had turned to fight in the
midst Of which the two little fiddlers,
Selling their instruments, made good
their retreat just as two policemen came
upon the scene.
"That warn't the kind of time
meant to have, Jimmy" said Bobbit
soberly, as they crept away.
"No, most likely 'twarnt, but you
wasn't to blame for that, Bobbit, so let's
play a tune to the bakers wife, an ikely's
not she'll give us some cold beans"
Now, the bakers wife was happy that
Christmas Eve, and when she saw the
two hungry looking little fiddlers stand
before her counter gazing wistfully at
the fresh rolls and cakes, she sent them
into the back room with a message to
one of the girls to give them some hot
coffee and as many rolls as they could
eat.
Hoxr c,oo-~ -o1Ic DoHl>.k 81 T:-