The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-01-01


self as Mr.. Branch never turned his
head "so's he could hear. Cricky
what steps he takes! There-he's 8
stopped at last, an at the SWEETEST
house in the street, do believe"
AS Tip paused to take breath, Mr..
Branch tripped nimbly up the marble
steps and opened the massive door.
'Why couldn't he a. waited?"
grumbled Tip; but Tips grumbling,
like everything else about him, was
CHEEKY and good natured. "Now, III
have to ring and present my card, and
be oosherd into the elegant boodore.
And Tip laughed at the very thought.
"But dear men' with a comical twin
. kle in the merry blue ewes, "I've gone
an done it! | lett my card case an
gloves home on the pianner But it
can't be helped now, as | didn't ex-
pect to 90 a-callin to-day. wonder
what that teller lido when he gets the
poclSet-book" grayely. "P'r'aps he'll
clasp my hand with tears in his eyes
an say, Here is q hundred thousan
dollars; take it my dear, dee-ar benny
| factor, Us q small tokint o. me re,
CARDS! Ii you ever need q friend, why
call on me- Oh, cricly" and Tir
laughed till he had to hold tight to q
| fence aud till the tears came. "Ar
| then III say: You insaa-lt me honor
sir; | only did me jutyw
With fear and trembling. Tip rang
the bell. 1t was opened Immediately
bya tall, solemn person in black anC
immaculate white linen, whose sandy
hair was parted and plastered dowi
with great precision, and who carried
his head very tighiadeed. Youshoulc
| have seen the look OF outraged sur
| prise Oh his smooth solemniace, wher
he beheld the ragged little figure in TIL,
doorway!
Tip returned the stare with one O
easy nonchalance. He had not lived
in the slums of great city for tn,
short twelve years OF his life foI
nothing. He was quite aware tha'
appearances are sometimes, deceit
full Though the person before hln
had the look and bearing a prime
might wish for in vain, Tip well knew
he was only a aservant, after all.
Il wants to see the feler who jes
went in," said Tip, with quiet dignity
81 hain't got no card along, but yo,
Jest tell him a gentleman wants to Sc
him on business. That'll fetch him,
guess. Be quick, please, cause m,
time is valu' 'ble" Then to himself
with a chuckle, "Hm hungry, that
why"
"Did lever hear such impudence il
all my born days!' gasped James
rolling his eyes in solemn horror. 81
begger ringing at the front door, an,
calling on business!"
II hahn I no beggar" said Tip stout
ly, his eyes flashing
"What is it, James?" said pleas
ant voice, which Tip recognized as be
longing to the gentleman whose walle
he had in his pocket. Then MI
Branch himself appeared on thescene
"A gentleman to see you on brs
ness. Mr.. Branch" murmured James
with sniff. He looked so scanda
lied that Mr.. Branch had to smile i
spite OF himself.
"Oh, it's you, is it?" said MI
Branch to Tip. "Well, what can d
for you?" kindly.
"Nothink as l know on" said Tir
casting an indignant as well as tr
umphant glance at James. ~ foun
this ere where you tunbled down. S
! comes after you's fast IS | coulG
You didn't hear me a.hollerin afte
YOU"
Mr.. John Branch opened wide hi
eyes, and clutched the wallet eagerly
Then he looked curiously at Tip.
Have you any idea of how valua
BILE this book is 10 me?" he asked, afte
a pause.
No, sir" said Tip, wondering VIII
he asked that question.
sit is worth thousands upon thous
! ands OF dollars to me, and you hav
done me an inestiamble service i
bringing it to me-" Then he aske
ahruptiy-so abruptly as to almos
make Tip jump out OF his broker
rusty shoes: Have You had dime
YETI
No, sir, stammercd TIP. 'Didn'
have 'nough money to getany till ate
: I'd blaclSed your boots. Cess I'll G
to restaurang now,' making q div
for the great door.
"Don't 60" said Mr.. Branch, aucl
ly. by the way, what is your name?
Zip, sir.
''lip what?'
Dunno. Guess hain't sotno OIL
er name. Only swell folks has more
| one"
"Well, Tip-let's call you Tip Branc
just for fnn-I should like to haveyo
stay and dine with us to-day"
And Tip stayed for rdinner--not onl
on that Christmas day, but tt
! next day, and the next and numeror
other days.
If you should ever go into the N;
tional bank on-street, you may ST
|, there, handsome manly lad, VII
limps slightly. They call him ri
Branch. Mr.. John Branch, who
! president OF the bank, loves Tip q
most as we'll as if he were his own so,
Tip may some day be a banker aft,
all. Who knows? At one time, til
seemed the widest improbability I
! Tip. But things happen very strange
S in this world.
: Tip is now of tho opinion thu
Granny Macarthy's old red "Comfor
!; err is not the only thing he has to
t thankful for!