River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-15
ali piee At Il. y responded Jem.

More likely twas yerseli as dld the
l lockinl'
II locked the door, anyhow, and you
could not have got in afterward," an
swered the man, musingly-more as il
speaking to himself than to Jem. but
halo little girl, tool" as Oak, aroused
bp the sound of voices, sat up and looked
toward them. swell, you are pretty
| freight When did you get into the car
and what did you do it forl" he asked,
sharply.
AN wasn't it standin' open on the
side-track at Kane Stationln said Jem,
half apologetically, half defensively.
"We just got in to kape clare of the
rain"
"Been drinking, probably" was the
questioner's first inward comment; but a
second keen glance at Jem's honest face
dispelled the suspicion. He locked at
Oak, and the child came forward.
I'VE were going home from mill in my
grandpa's wagon she said, sand it rain
ed so We had to stop. Jem fastened the
horse and wagon under tree, and we got
into the car, and went to sleep. guess
Jem did, too.n
II guess he did, indeed. A pretty fell
low he is to take care of little girls
Well, come here, little one, and I'll help
you OUT
.Are we very far from homer" asked
Oak, timidly, as she stood upon the
ground once more.
considerable distance, If you live any
where near the place where you got on
| the car It's too bad, i declared I'm sorry
| for your But as he looked from one to
the other he laughed.
'See here, Jem-that's your name, Is
/ its-have you any money!"
"Niver a cintl" said Jem, independ-
emily. ave have thraveled this far with
out it, an I'm thinkin' we must manage
to get back as cnape.
l wouldn't advise you to try going
back the same way you came; you might
not get off at the right station" said the
stranger laughing again. "The first thing
| you want is something to eat. If that
poor little kitten has had nothing since
dinner yesterday, she must be hungry.
Here" Slipping some money into Jem's
hand, and pointing to a building across
the street,, "take this, and go to that
restaurant ov5r there and get some break
| fast"
Jem obeyed with alacrity and soon Oak
and himself were seated at a comfort
ably-spread table, rejoicing in their free
dom, and finding out how hungry they
had been by the keen appetite now, but
! too anxious to be acknowledgements to
| tarry long even over warm rolls and hot
| coffee Breakfast was therefore soon
dispatched, and they recrossed the street
to the depot.
Up and down the long platform they
walked looking in every direction, but
they saw nothing of their stranger friend.
Business had called him away, and amidst
his crowd of duties he had forgotten
them, perhaps. Presently train came
laundering up in an opposite direction
from that in which they had come, and
Jem, who was watching every chance i'm
patiently, rushed away to inquire of some
one whittier it was'bound. He came back
triumphantlY.
"That's tire train for US, Miss Oak dear
Wen get aboard an be goin' home"
They hurried into the car and seated
themselves. glad that their troubles were
! so nearly at an end. Oak drew a long
breath of relief as she leaned back in the
/ comfortable seat and Jem remarked,
with satisfied chuckle:
'They brought us all the way without
our lave, an they'll have to take us back
without any pay"
But alas for the arrangement he had Sc
complacently made They had been but
a short time under way, just long enough
to realize that they were indeed going
/ homeward, when the conductor, making
round. stopped beside them and demand
/ ed tickets.
"Tickets, is itr' said Jem, scratching
+ his head; "surc we've none of yer tick
ets."
Money, then, said the conductor, i'm.
patiently.
AN we've no money, aither," ans
wered Jem; ''though it's not Squire Ash
ley's darter would be travelin' widOut
any if we hadn't been brought off un
beknownst to u.s."
81 don't know what you are talking
about, my man, and I've no time to waste
Hand over your fare"
"Didn't | list be tellin' We had nonel'
responded Jem, emphatically.
"What are you doing aboard the train
them"
"Doin' aboord. It's goin' home l am
We got locked in car, and brought of
on yer ould raleread widout wantin' t
come at all; and it's going home we il
now"
'I've got nothing to do with all that
If you can't pay you must get off," sale
the conductor, angrily.
The little Oak looked up with a suddel
burst of tears
20 no, no! don't put us off! Jem hasn'
got any money-indeed he hasn't-and
must go home to mammam
''What is it, What is the matter! call
ed two or three voices from seats nea
them; aud some of the passengers drew
near to listen.
II hardly know" answered the con
ductor, his tone softening at the child
distress. "Where is your mother, sissy! .
And, looking up with fearful, innocen
ewes, the child told her simple story-th,
dainty slippers she wore, the white dres
(woefully soiled now, and her mass o
tangled curls adding their unconsciou
confirmation to her words.
'You poor little toadw said gener
Gus, boyish voice; "never fear; you anC
Jem shall go home all right. Lend mt
your hat, little one, and I'll soon rails;
the funds"
The little hat with its owners story
speedily circulated by the warm-hearteC
young student, and presently returned, as
he had promised, with money enough t.
carry them home; and Oak, drying he
tears, grew cheerful and hopeful again
1t seemed long days ride, that home
ward journey; and the two faces-th,
mans and the child's-were turned con
stan.ly toward the window, watching fo
familiar land marks. A long days ride
though their fellow travellers We'd witt
each other in kindly efforts to render
them comfortable.
1t was almost sunset when they reach
ed the little station near which they haC
first embarked; and, with a hasty fare
-. / -. -.