The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-11-22
The -Anti-AIonoPoiSt.

-
"See here, Jem-that's your name, IS
it?-have you any money!"
"Niver a cint!' said Jem, indepcnd-
emily. eve have thraveled this far with
out it, an I'm thinkin' we must manage
to get back as cnape.'
wouldn't advise you to try going
back the same waylyou came; you might
not get off at the right station" said the
stranger laughing again. 1.-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 over there and get some break
| FAST
Jem obeyed with alacrity and soon Oak
and himself were seated at 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 journeyinghomeward 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 a 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 TIE train for us, Miss Oak dear!
Well get aboard an be goin' home.n
They hurried into the car and seated
themselves, glad that their troubles were
so nearly at an end. Oak drew 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 so
complacently made! They had been but
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 it?' said Jcm, scratching
his head "sure we've none of yer tick
ets"
money, then" said the conductor, i'm
patiently.
IAN we've no money, aither," ans
wered Iem Though it's not Squire Ash
ley's darter would be travelin' widout
any If we hadn't been brought off I'M
beknownst to u.s.
IL don't know what YOU are talking
about, my man, and I've no time to waste,
Hand over your fare"
Didn't jist be tellin' We had none:"
responded Jem, emphatically.
What are you doing aboasd the train,
then?'
''Doin' aboord? It's goin' home l am.
We got locked in car, and brought off
on yer Guild raleroad widout wantin' to
come at all; and it's going home we is
now
Give got nothing to do with all that.
If you can't pay you must get off," said
the conductor, angrily.
The little Oak looked up with sudden
burst OF tears
so RIO, no. don't put us off! Jem hasn't
got any money-indeed he hasn't-and I
must go home to mamma"
ssWhat is it! What is the matter! call
ed two or three voices from seats near
them aud some of the passengers drew
near to listen.
II hardly know" answered the con-
ductox, his tone softening at the child's
distress. "Where is your mother, sissy.'
And, looking up with fearful, innocent
eyes, the child told her simple story-the
dainty slippers she wore, the white dress
(woefully soiled now, and her mass Of
tangled curls adding their unconscious
confirmation to her words.
ssYou poor little toad." said a gener
Gus, boyish voice; "never fear: you and
Jem shall go home all right Lend me
your hat, little one, and I'll soon raise
| the funds
The little hat with Its owners story,
speedily circulated by the warm hearted
Young student, and presently returned, as
| he had promised, with money enough to
carry them home; and Oak, drying her
tears, grew cheerful and hopeful again.
It seemed long days ride, that home
ward journey; and the two faces-the
mans and the child's--were turned con
stan IL toward the window, watching for
| familiar land marks. A long days ride
though their fellow travellers We'd with
each other in kindly efforts to render
them comfortable.
1t was almost sunset when they reach
ed the little station near which they had
| first embarked: and, with a hasty fare
| well to their new friends, Jem hurried
away with his charge, as if afraid that
they might be carried off again, and, not
pausing moment at the village, started
homeward.
As they passed along the old road he
turned aside for moment where he had
| left the horse It was not there-he had
not expected it would be, and, catching
the child in his arms. he fastened
| forward with long, rapid strides, and in
the gray twilight passed under the droop-
ing trees of the old avenue, and up to the
l hCuco