The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-07-02
4 RUNAWAY TRUNK.

4 RUNAWAY TRUNK.
"No, SIR said John, dcterminedly,
"wc won't give it up if we have to 20
on FOOT
"Well,' said Fred ~ don't see any
way, unless we do go a.foot, for we
have only got two dol ars between Us
and the fare to Portland is more'n two
dollars apiece"
"Pete RatestnT got over harder
spots than this SAID John, land l
know we can
Eyes, l s'pose so.' said Fred.
"Fa'her m ght give Mo q dollar or SO
to spend at the fair next week. If it
would do any good Id ask him; but /
might as well ask the town pump.'
w While the two boys are a:ing plans
we Il find out who they are, and what
means this planning OF theirs.
John Sheldon, a bright, quick-witted
boy, Of about fourteen, is the son of Il
well-to.do farmer of Oxford County,
Maine. The other boy. Fred. Hard
ing, is the village doctors son, a Jew
months younger. The two are excel
lent friends. They have been reading
''Perilous Adventures OF Pete Rates
tutf, the Boy Sailor.'' Reused BY the
daring deeds and wonderful escapes OF
the hero, Il mania to 90 to sea has
fallen upon them. They think there's
no good in asking their fathers adj
vice, so they are laying plans in secret.
John has learned that the fishing
schooner Brittomart sails for New
fo,lndland the 18th, and it is now the
oath. The two boys start from, beneath
the "High Top" sweeting tree, in the
orchard where they have been sitting.
'"Ain't there no way to 60 on the
freight train" asked Fred, throwing
an apple core toward chipmonk,
ehattering on the stone wall.
mo; 1 guess not, said john
thoughtfully. But I've got an idea!'
he exclaimed exu]tantly. crumpljng up
his old straw hat, and giving it an up
ward fling: "
"Quick! ont with it," said Fred.
'.There's an old trunk of grandpa .
up in the garnet! Do you see, Fred
Chuck what we want in that, get I'M; and
one Of us goes as baggage! What do
you say o'that?'' III ~ ~ v
~'Y0u've struck it!' exclaimed Fred.
"Let's goat it, I'm in for that. Why
you're as cute as 'Pete.'" &c.,. .H
~ "We'll have to start in the morn.
ing" said John. "We'll have gay
time. Well see bit OF the city when
we're through our business with thu
Captain" '', a'. . ~ t ......
Not doubt but that they could q
as sailors had once entered their heads
Of course Captain DAILY would take
them. I'D ..ar., ;. .;H ,l.5.l
1t was decided that Fred should gel
leave, and come down and stay al
night with John. He was to take with
him what be- wanted, and they'd pacl
what they could in the trunk. '''
Before Fred started for home, they
stole softly up to the attic. brought tn
trunk down, and put it in dark ccrne
of the barn. - - '@' Xxx. Dig.
A little after dusk, Fred came over
bringing his best suit, a lot of dough
nuts, q small pistol, and his new base
ball, tied together in, an old handker
chief. These, with some Of John pos
4 sessions, were. packed in the trunk
leaving not a, very roomy place for
boy. Half . dozen or more air hole
were bored IN the. sides. All was read
for an early start; In the morning.
The boys retired in good season, bu
not to sleep. At half-past eleven, job
looked At his watch. for he had pre- t
silver one given him at his last birth
day. He said: ''.'. q, ...
why, Fred, if youth believe, it..
; amt but half-past eleven" 81
The same was repeated at one, an
again at half past two. At three the
rose and dressed, went softly down til
stairs, and out into the cool, drear, SCI
TENDER morning.. r. t4fu vhet,at
, i, Fred had q little homesick twinge {
they started, but John lau yhed at hin
: Each taking handle Of the trunl
4 they went toward the station, abo,
three miles of. They reached the d
t pot, a. they hoped to, before any or
!. was about: ."''"1A }''lt Hf|" -s-F D
1t required some talking, on John
part, to persuade Fred that he, be n
z the smaller, ought to 20 in the trun
There was just room for him to- GU
down on his side.
!. He got in. John shut the cover, locke
: the trunk, aud sat down beside it.
= "How dye feel, Fred?'' he asked,
= length. 49,
;. kinder boxed up,'' said Fro
;. There amt no room to spare
= Soon the depot was opened. ...,
= John bought his ticket, got his chez
= and when the train came steaming
= he first made sure the trunk was put o
= and then be got on board. and of tn
~ went. aau 80. 'e,R 5,. >s5
q John enjoyed the ride: Twice on
= had he been on the cara before, al
!: never alone, 50 there was the charm
y novelty about it. r a. ',lt ''>''" !
y AT D. Station, in q yard Just
= = hind the depot, were kept some deer,
~ fox, q raven and other animals.
Their fame had reached Johns cal
- and. as there promised to be q stop
y several minutes for breakfast, he Il
o. the Car and went round to see the
Of and, for . time, they quite drove
n sea-voyage from his mind. .1.,; -.
y There came sudden reminder, no
% ever, when he heard the puff, puff,
the engine and the rumbling Ut the ca
20 Then he started and ran round to t
n front o. the depot, only to see the ira
IN moving otf-without him! pi ~t, ~.
y. John felt badly, and did not kn'
re what to do. ,5}l f. '
I'd "Well, now, I was q fool"'
On thought. as he looked after the vani.
no ing train. ~gt
i'd He asked man. standing near, VIII
j a A. al