Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-04-28
Little Jake.
BY COUSIN SUE.

Little Jake.
BY COUSIN SUE. .
Look In with me at the waiting room
Of this little village railway station,
children. Tt don't look bit like your
grand dity depot-a room no larger than
your nursery at home. Two little win
dows, about dozen seats along the
sides, and rusty coal-stove-I believe
that is all the furniture it contains.
Two or three men and as many boys
stand around the stove, some talking,
others eating apples. Near one of the
windows sits fat, rosy checked mar
ket woman, with great pile of bun
dies, baskets and bags on one side OF
her, and on the other little boy. The
little boy has a big red comforter round
his neck, gray yarn m1ttens on his
hands, and long, thick oyercoat near
ly to his knees. All! you think that is
little Jake. No, indeed. it isn't. His
mother said to him, just little while
ago:
Don't make that noise with your
feet, Charley
Near them, on the other side of the
door, is long, lean countryman, with
big basket tied over with blue cot
ton cloth, and something alive under
the cover. We know that big fellow
isn't like Jake. Then away from the
rest, quite on the other side of the
room sits an important looking city
Drummer" TASK your papa what that
means). He has a large black valise,
and reckon it is full of ''Yankee no.
tons AS samples to show to the
country merchants. On the outside, in
big white painted letters, ''Mr. James
Smite, Phila." Whoever can read
knows who he is. Then [ am only
cousin Sue, a lady in black water proof.
These are all the occupants of the
room.
Where is little Jake? aea
Whew w-h-e-w! All the train is
coming. What stir The tall country
man rushes out of the door, saying"
"Them ducks must go to-day" The
fat woman gathers up her baskets, bags,
and bundles, and leans back and puffs
under the load as she hurries to the
platform. Little Charlie has enough to
do to carry himself and his load of
wrappings.
The room is all deserted. Everyone
is on the platform. Puff puff puff
as the engine comes around the curve.
A black object sticks it's head from the
window. There is wild excitement
among the boys-even little Charlie
manages to dance a jig under his over
coat and comforter, and to scream with
the rest, "There's Jake %
4 minute more and the train is here.
The black object In the window is a
dog! He is little jake AS the en-
gineer lays his hand on the throttle, the
dog turns and watches the movement,
glances in the mans kindly face, and
leaps from the window.
The boys caress him, even the fussy
station agent says a kind word to him.
He runs quickly around among the
crowd as though he wanted to see all
he could in few minutes, and note the
changes since yesterday. Then, as the
last passenger gets into the cars, the
conductor sings out, 'sAll aboard" the
warning bell rings, and Jake springs or
the rear platform. He trots into the
car at the conductors heels, stops al
the stove moment, then off down the
aisle nt
The little market woman calls to hin,
and gives him biscuit from her basket
They are old friends. On her weekly
trips to the neighboring town, she
never forgets to carry a "good fare "
for Jake. Little Charley, with much
exertion and mothers help, takes the
dog on his lap, hugs and pats him,
looks at his teeth and funny little
tongue. But Jake peeps inquisitiyely
toward the eountryman's basket, runs
and tries to put his nose under the
cover, at which the ducks give futte1
and quack, and Jake a low growl.
Then off again, watching the conductor
take up the tickets, and receiving pats
and kind words from the passengers.
Presently ne stops, with such queer
look, and really stares into the city
clerks face. Perhaps Jake admires his
fine clothes. lie smells at the big va
Use, then icks the toe of the mans
shiny boot. Funny Jake And what
do you suppose the cross fellow does
Kicks him, and says, 8. Get outp
wish you could see how indignant the
passengers look. Even the bland con
ductor frowns, as he says, "Dog
wouldn't hurt you, sir. Quite harm
less and great pet; has lived on this
tram two years; makes the trip every
day. Quite one of us, sir. All the peo
pie round here know little Jake"
Jaw, aw, quite amusing to the conn
Try people, no doubt. Would be a great
nuisance to me.
dear little fellow nice doggie %
the passengers say, looking kindly at
Jake and GROSSLY at the city man. Then.