The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-04-23
hing daunted, he pulled the bell

owe want to play to the children,
said Bobbit boldly.
BE off or I'll turn you over to the
police"
The two little tiddlers ran hastily down
the steps but as soon as the door closed
Bobbit's courage returned.
"Come on, Jimmy, let's play here,
then. Wen give 'em Americy thatu
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 Il 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 tlatten against the pane.
Presently another face looked out
opened.
$50 away, boys" said the gentleman
pleasantly. eve have music enough.
Here is something for Christmas" and
he threw Il silver piece ont upon the pave
mPnt.
Yes, sir, Wen CO." said Bobbit, tax
ing his violin from his shoulder, and
turning to so down the street.
ooh, wait little fiddler" cried Il of
the children. "Here is something else,
and a horn of candy fell at Bobbit's feet;
then the window closed between the
wanderers and the warmth and light of
a bright room.
Now we are all right" said Bobbit,
briskly. "Ill go get the chunks o wood,
an You get IA lot o cold fellers together,
an meet me out to that ere car"
Jimmy was off like a flash, and his
companion ran as fast i'll another direc-
ton. At the woodward the little silver
piece was changed for pine knots and Il
bunch of matches, then with 4 light Bob
bit trulged on and on till he came to a
wrecked baggage car that had been left
on q side track.
He crept beneath it, put his fiddle and
his fagots up through a hole III the floor,
then worked his way up into the dark car.
Once inside he soOn lighted II of the
matches to find his way to the rusty cyl
inder that had served as a stove, and
thee 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 a 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 lie 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 a tramp of feet and amur
! muir of voices, and Jimmy's head
I appeared through the hole in the floor.
f "Got a lot of fellers 2" asked Bobbit,
anxiously.
For answer Jimmy stood aside, anG
t up through the floor tumbled a regi
l mentof ragamutfins, who crowded around
the fire without ceremony-jostling and
pushing for the best places.
, eli, amt this NICE" cried Bobbit
gleefully, standing back to give the
| others the better chance.
/ No one deigned to answer indeed
quite a conflict was raging around poo
S Bobbit's fire.
9 Then the silver horn caught the eye o
one of the boys, and, with a shout, ht
bounced upon it.
Before Bobbit or Jimmy knew thu
9 cause of the extra cOmmotion the cand,
was all eaten or trodden upon, and thu
conflict had turned to Il fight in tn
midst of which the two little fiddlers
Selling their Instruments, made goot
their retreat just az two policemen cam,
# upon the scene.
it THAT warn't the kind of a time
d meant to have, Jimmy" said Bobbi
-" soberly, rs they crept away.