The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-01-12
IN TWO HALVES
The Story Of q Divided Bank Nosss
THE FIRST half.

the scene is Kirklington, on the Lon
don and Northwestern; the time one
quarter to eleven; just after the night
mail had flashed through without
stopping-bound for Liverpool and
the north. The railway officials are
collecting preparatory to going of
duty for the night.
where's Dan" asked one of the
crowd upon the platform.
81 saw him in the hut just after
the one quarter to eleven went
through. Can't have come to any
harm surely?"
mo; he said he'd seen something
drop from the train, and he went
down to the line to pick it up
And Dan had picked something.
1t was basket, a common white
wicker basket, with lid fastened
down by string. What did it con-
tain? Dirty clothes? What?
A baby-a child half q dozen weeks
old, no more.
"Where did you come across itF'
asked one.
Lying on the line, just where 1t
fell. Perhaps it didn't fall, perhaps
it was chucked out. What matter!
I've got it, and got to look after it,
that's enough for mel"
The little mites linen was white
and of the finest material, but he Icy
upon an old shawl and q few bits Of
dirty flannel. All they found was a
dilapidated purse, a common snap
lock bag-purse of faded brown leath-
er. Inside was a brass thimble, a
pawn-ticket, and the half of a Bank
note of England note of &1Oo.
|
A new parson-Harold Treffry-
had come lately to Kirklington.
He isnow paying a round of paro'
chial visits, accompanied by an old
college chum, who is spending Christ
mas with him.
"Yonder," said Treffry, pointingto
a thin thread Of smoke which rose
from some quaint trees into the suller
wintry air, "yonder is the house-if
indeed, it deserves 80 grand a name
the hovel, rather, of one whose
case is the hardest of all the hare
ones in my parish. This man is {
mere hedger and ditcher, one who
works for any master, most Otter
for the railway, but who is never
certain of a job all the year around
He has swarm of young children
and he has just lost his wife. He ii
absolutely Frustrated; aghast prob
ably at his utter incapacity to do hi
duty by his motherless little ones.
wonder whether you could rous'
him? If you could only get him Il
make a sign, or cry, or laugh, or tx
take the smallest interest in com
mon affairs. Jack, / believe your
the very man. You might get a
him through the children-that mar
vellous hanky-panky of yours, thos
surprising tricks; a child takes Il
you naturally at once. Try ant
make friends with these. Perhap
when the father sees them intereste'
and amused he may warm a little
speak, perhaps approve, perhap
smile, and in the end give in. Jack
will you try?"
Jack Newbiggin was by profession
conveyancer, but nature had IL
tended him for a new Houdin, or
wizard of the North. He was NOR
than half a professional by the tim
be was full grown. In addition t
the quick eye and the facile wrist h
had the rarer gifts of the suave maj
ner and the face of brass. He ha
even studied mesmerism and clail
voyance. and could upon occasio
surprise his audience considerabl
by his power.
They entered the miserable dwell
ing together. The children-eight {
them-were all skirmishing over TT
floor, except one, a child of six {
seven, a bright-eyed, exceedingl
beautiful boy, the least-were nc
natures vagaries well known-iikel
: to be born among and belong t
! such surroundings, who stood b
tween the legs of the man himsel
, who had his back to the visitors, an
was crouching low over the scant
: fire.
The man turned his head for
: moment, gave a blank stare, then q
imperceptible nod, and once more !
glowered down upon the fire.
"Here, little ones; do you see tn
gentleman? Tommy catching
. q mite of four or five from the foo
/ "No, not you; nor you, Sarah; NJ
, you Jakey'-and he ran through
i their names.
, "They had now ceased their gal
!. bols and were staring hard at the
visitors-the moment was propitiou
Jack Newbiggin began. He M
fortunately filed his pockets WI
3 nuts, oranges and cakes before lea
Q ing the parsonage. so he had half
apparatus reac y in hand.
: The pretty boy had very soon Il
the father at the fire and had cor
Q over to join in the fun, going BAG
Q however, to exhibit his share of t
!. spoil and describe unanimously VIII
J, had occurred. This and the repeat
i shouts of laughter seemed to produ
= some impression on him. Present
q he looked over his shoulder and So
q but without animation:
], at is very good of you, sir, sure
!; very good for you to take SO kline
}. to the little chicks. 1t does the
= good to laugh q bit, BUTT amt mu
b as they've had to make 'em lately
SIT is good for all of us now a
again, l take it," said Jack, desi
;n, and uoinr towards him, [