The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-11-12
BOUNDFORGREENFTELDS

1t was lovely May morning, uornin,
on which even the life of an omnibus con
ductor seemed endurable Besides, tn
particular company for which Arch,
Johnston worked had become infected b.
socialistic principles, TO the extent of onlJ
employing their hands from a. m to Il
D. m, and giving them, as a rule, the al
ternete Sundays. So that, as things went
be might be considered well off,
Better off, at all events, than the pale
young man who, as Archy completed his
arrangements before starting, watched
him, with a rather melancholy air, from
the curbstone. For this pale young man.
whose name was Warner, by special per-
mission of the company, to whom beneyo-
lent clergyman had appealed on Warmers
behalf, came every morning at o'clock to
see If there was a conductor off work, and
II there was TO take his place on the omni-
bus. For the last month he had presented
himself regularly, and the men had come
to know and have kindly feeling toward
him; but in that month he had only been
on duty seven days. This fact inevitably
raised the question as TO what Warner did
with himself when no vacancies occurred.
He did not look as if he did anything very
remunerative. Nothing more remunera-
tive, probably Archy guessed correctly, as
he glanced across, than tramping the
streets In search of permanent employ
ment.
Archy's omnibus started last, and he had
two or three minutes to spare; SO, being a
sociable young fellow, he crossed over to
speak to Warner, who, for his part, re-
sponded with an anxious good will in
which, if Archy had known, there was a
n 80,
was Warner had just been thinking as he
saw the omnibuses roll away and realized
with sigh that all the men were on duty,
What if one of them were to die and he
were taken on as a permanent hand?" The
iniquity of this thought to his kindly and
gentle nature seemed terrible, and the con-
sciousuess of guilt made his tone to Archy
one of deprecating cordiality.
He did not in any way appeal for pity,
and yet the few facts Archy drew from him
were an appeal to any one conversant with
the city. He lived a mile away, "a Dix |
street, an address that fingered curiously |
in Archy's memory. He had been q car |
penter and comfortably off, but now he |
was hopelessly out of work, and with his |
wife and their young child had been living |
how he could
We feel it most, you see," he said in his |
patient way, "for the child" Then he
checked himself, as If he had said too much,
and added quite hopefully, But it's a
long lane that has no turning, isn't it?"
Yes, said Archy, reserving to himself |
a reflection that life contained some very
long lanes, indeed, as not of a cheering
character.
No more passed between them just then,
for the conductors time was up. But the
next morning, as his eyes encountered the
depressed looking figure again, sudden
impulse seized him.
''Can you take my place today?" he said,
accosting Warner "pm awfully anxious
To have the day, but l can't risk getting
sacked"
Warmers face beamed
II told Janet this morning." he said. as
he followed Archy, I'D feeling l should
be in luck today"
''It's just here,n said Archy staring
straight before him. r"I'rn thinking of
going down into the country for day-or
two-or may be more-I can't exactly tell,
not being on the spot, how long may re-
4uire to stay. And it would be load off
my mind to know my place wouldn't De
snapped up"
''Ill keep it for you" said Warner ener-
land give it up to you whan you s
come back; for it's queer thing, as /
know, TO be thrown out of work. And Pm {
sure hope you'll have pleasant journey. &
Beautiful down in the country this time of
year, amt it?" s
"Ahr' said Archy eyes, the country's {
/ fine place, especially, as you say, about
his time of the year, when you can lie /
Town in field and smoke a pipe without i
.atching cold, otherwise than from the d
general treachery OF the climate Natural b
objects, as meadows, spring flowers, cows, d
ripping streams, blue sky a
when it don't happen to be rainy, fresh air, il
'lenty OF wholesome victuals, that's my r
lyle" b
Archy had spoken jerkily and rapidly, u
Tut with entire composure; and yet there c
vas something in his tone, a suggestion of "
possible want of sincerity, that made a
Warmers brain whirl. a
fI expect that would be all our STYLES" T
e said timidly, eff we could afford it,
you've friends in the country, suppose"
ABR replied Archy benignantIy, look .
ng at Warner for the first time "Lots of /"
I'm. Fellows who would share their last {,
rust with me But it amt come to that; :
hey live on the fat of the land, call it," !
You're lucky fellow" said Warner
dmiriugly.
well" said Archy with still deeper :
ravity, sometimes think am in luck's >
-ay, now you mention it. Especially this :,
forming. And now / think as there's a =
train have it in my mind to =
atch, and as your times just up, I'll bid =
OH good day" -
He grasped Warmers hand and turned =
way. After all, he had said and done i
othing remarkable; and yet, such was :,
lie serene benignity Of his tone and man =
ar, that for moment Warner stood stock =
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