The morning call., 1890-09-03
LITTLE BEN.
CHAPTER /.

"Not allowed 10 carry any passengers"
said the captain, gru1iy, without looking up from
his desk.
The tug boat staver, with her tow of barges
was lying at the bank al Cairo, H. She was the
only boat in sight that showed any signs of life;
all The others were laid up for the winter; nayi-
gallon was perllOuS The great river was ch0ked
and full OF huge masses Of floating ice, and all.
the land was deep with snow and sleet. It was
intensely cold. II was The 22d of December
Il didn't mean TO 20 as passenger" said the
voice. Il thought, maybe, you might let me
work my way with the crew.
"NO; got all The hands we want, believe"
said the captain, busy with his bills.
Captain. I'll work mighty hard. Captain,
please, can't | go with you, sir?'' lie tried to
speak bravoly, but 1t was plainly evident that lie
was forcing back sob.
The captain finished bis waybiIl and looked up
al his visitor.
"Wen, I'll he bowed" said the captain
II was very small boy WHO had offered his
services 10 the captain; lad with the face and
features of delicate g!l. His soft, dark hair
hung in wayelets about his neck. His cheeks
were piached and shruuken as If from Illness.
HIS clothing WAS scant and Thin. He was trr m-
bling with cold. aud his wide, brown eyes had in
them a look SO implOrlHg that HE captain, as
soon as lie had recovered from his establishment.
told INN TO came into The 0tice aud get warm.
- know I'm awful little. captain" SAID the
boy, AS II" stood by The stove ''bnt I'm II years
old and III work hatd as anyb0dy sir"
That's all right. sonny" said lie captain.
Whats vour mare, anyhow"
Ben" answered the boy.
so you want tu 20 TO 81. Louis. do YOU Ben
What 90 you want TO 20 there for ."
The boy looked at the bluff officer moment,
and then said:
"lPs almost Christmas. and | promised
molher was coming home. Mother lives III ST.
Louis
HIS simple words touched the captain The
ca tain's mOIlei lived IN St. Louis. too, and he
was trying TO reach home IN time 10 spend tie
holidays with her.
Wei, what's tie matter ." asked The cantain.
"AiG't you got no money? Set down heIe lille
chap. aud tell US about II. Looks like you've
been having pretty tough tlme.'
CHAPTER II.
The boy sat down, and The captain By much
questioning obtained BIS story. II was told in
simple, honest way. His parents had resided in
New Orleans. lie was born there. His father
support hl> family IN comfort ana TO send his
little son TO musical school Two years before
his father did suddenly aud bis mother moved TO
81. Louis, where she Invested her funds IN trade
and oTencd a modest little millinery establi III
menI Ia one IL The poorer sections OF the city.
Business I'D not flourish with the widow. but
she managed by dat Of saving TO keep her boy
al school
never knew but what mother had plenty OF
money! SAID The boy, IN his simple way. - She
always gave me everything | wanted ILL one
day last summer she came In my room, and /
was singing and playing on my guitai"-large
ear-dlOpS bad been slowly forming In the boys
eyes. lie brushed them away hastily with the
back Of his hand. " She looked so pretty" lie
said, THAT ran up TO Ecr and Kissed ner. She
was smiling Wien she came IN ms room, but
WHEN | kissed her she laid her head on my
shoulder anG cried, and II nearly killed me; |
never saw mother cry before. Aud she said she
was Just and nothing tile mailer;
but made her tell ne, and she said her money
Was nearly gone and she was afraid | would
have 10 stop music lessons. And l told her not
To nftr G ma Ia tnr l.ru nd
tain. done &, too"
There was lone of triumph in his voice, and
for moment. tie pale face flushed with con-
sciOus pride.
II never told moihr what was going TO do
! knew she wouldn't let mc-bui ! took my
guitar and went cut of tie house, and then |
wrote mother note and told her | was going
away for little while ana would write to her
every day ana send her some money. | walked
from one town To another all the summer, and
In The evenings used 10 stand on The corner
and Stag, and people gave me lots of money. |
sent il all 10 mother, except little kept ~ pay
my board. | told mother was in business. |
never said What business. l made plenty Of
money in The summer time, but when the
weather got chilly didn't make so much. bnl
sent IL all TO mother, and sometimes | slept out
doors. And then | got sick, and l had chil!s
every day, aud they shook ne all TO pieces, and
couldn't sing like used 10, and people stopped
paying me. and sold my guitar TO man, but l
sent the money 10 mnInef
land every Letter gOI from mother she was
begging me 10 come home, and she said she did
=
good but you see, captain she fooled me once
before. ! knew she would say anything 10 get
me back but lie last letter ] wrote ! told her |
was coming home, and I'd be there for Christ
mas. And yesterday and last night walked all
the way from Paducah through the snow. and,
cap ain, ] can't walk any more
lie had forgotten his present trouble in the re-
clta OF his adventures. lie seemed suddenly to
remember his position. He looked al the cap
tain with great pleading eyes.
Captain" he almost sobbed, IN work.
Please, sir, let Inc co." and then the little chap
broke down aud The tears had 10 come,
The captain got up, with something very like
tear i'll his eye, anu looked through Tie little
window. lie blew his nose and wiped IL care
fully. Then lie sat down again.
"Well, well,' lie SAID, Il wouldn't cry about
il, sonny. ! reckon we can iiX II iof you. j eX-
poet you do want to see your mother, sure 'nui.''
THANK You, sir" SAID tile boy. drying his
eyes; II VIII never forget your kindness, cap
tain, and now Pm ready for work.
The captain looked IL The boy ana laughed.
you needn't do anything, sonny; Just stay
aboard aud maze yourself comfortable"
But Tie boy persisted, and the captain finally
told him To 50 below and do whatever Tie mate
commanded.