The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-02-09

supplied the enc, and the dinner pals
of the engineer and fireman the other,
Though they would have to fast until
morning and would sadly miss their hot
coffee.
Two shrieks of the whistle, tug at
the lever, and Ninety-nine started and
shot away with the long train following
behind like an immense black serpent,
over air line and around curves, and
through tunnel and across bridge.
Then John Lathrop had time to more
closely scrutinize and talk to his unpay-
ing passenger. The mystic sign that
had passed between them told OF broth
erhood and paved the way to his think
ing well of him. :,
"You aren't used to tramping, and
hain't been very long at 1t, said John,
laughing quietly at the rapid manner
in which the supper of himself and fire.
roan was disappearing.
"Not much, gully" replied the
tramp. pausing, with biscuit in one
hand and the half picked leg OF tllr-
KEY in the other, to answer.
"Cully!" repeated John, cycling him
still more sharply. You are show
man 7"
"Was, and another few days like the
last and could play walking skeleton
to perfection" and he glanced up at
the engineer with pair of the blacklist
possible eyes, and face marked with
resolution and bravery.
"What biz2" queried John Lathrop.
Bar and trapeze."
He did not appear to have time to
spare to make lengthy replies-only
uttered the briekst possible between
mouthfuls; and, noticing this, his ques-
toner paused until be had finished his
almost wolf like meal, and then resumed:
81 used to kick up my heels and strut
over the sawdust once myself"
"YouT"
Yes, but 1 gave it up years ago
had little set.to with tiger, and got
nearly chawed up. And you don't look
as if you had Jared much better. Here's
a pipe-smoke, and spin your yarn"
"Well, did the flying trapeze and all
that sort of thing in the Grand Trans
continental and Ever-so many other
things Circus. Humbug were better
name, as it turned ont for us. Yet l
reckon we might have got our pay if it
had been success. But we had q
devil of hard time. The public didn't
appreciate-horses gave out, wagons
broke down, the premiere equestrienne'
ran away with Bones of the sideshow,
funds ran low, the great Polar bear
wanted his ice, became Disguised and
turned up his toes the zebra passed il
his checks, aud the result was we be-
came hat-broke, and had to leave our
baggage, and take the tramp in order
TO get home"
"Been there myself" said John La
throp, becoming deeply interested.
Then needn't tell you what sort of
time l have had footing it, stealing
rides, and begging for something to
eat"
"Bad enough in summer" growled
John.
"But now9 Talk of the North pole.
Whew / thought L should freeze to
death in that old tank with the water
dripping and freezing around me and
if you hadn't taken care of me, guess
ia have thrown myself under the cars
and put an end to the thing. What's the
use OF fighting hard times and bad luck
forever9"
"Well, cheer up. You're all right
now-that is, to the end of my run.
Then you shall go home with me and
recruit bit, and it'll go hard if can't
manage to get you free ride with some
Of the boys to the end of the road. It's
against all orders, but John Lathrop's
one suffer if he can help it-not much"
His presence attested the truth of his
words. He was tall, broad shouldered
and deep-chested, and his face told of
goodness" in every feature, and his
manner, if bluff, was hearty. In the
physical, the stranger was his opposite.
Yet his frame was strongly knit, and his
muscles, trained by severe and long. con-
tinued exercise, until they stood out as
whip-cords, strictly obeyei his will and
were firm as steel, and daring flashed
from his black eyes and was revealed
by every line about the mouth.
CT don't know" he said, locking at
the engineer thankfully, show am ever
to pay you. My life you certainly saved,
and it may be L can do you good turn
some day. If the chance comes, you
can depend upon my doing it, for I'm
not one to forget favor"
81 believe it. But don't think of my
giving you ride and bite. It's no
more than any man that wasn't brute
would have done, and who knows but
either l or my boy, when he grows up,
may want lift of the same kinda"
Your boy2"
eyes, the brightest, cutest little chap
you ever saw. I'll show him to you to-
morrow. Yes, and my wife, too-just
the prettiest, dearest little woman that
ever walked in two shoes"
No. 80 was running smoothly and
steadily along. 1t was Sunday morn
ing, and there was nothing in the way
not even an up train to pass until John
Lathrop would uncouple his iron steed
and put him in the great round stable,
to rest and be cleaned, for twenty-four
hours. SO, while the fireman kept his
eyes ahead, John Lathrop seated him
self, and, while keeping watch of the
steam gauge and his eyes open, told of
his early life under canvas, his present
home happiness, and the bright-eyed,
blithe-hearted ones that were waiting
L