Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-07-31
BOB'S BABY.

OF the road, and besides his regular
trips he was called on TO take out
many II special. The main guys"
as Bob called the chief dignitaries OF
the road, never felt so safe as whel
Bob was in the cab, and it began to be
considered that Bob must take out
ovcry fast train il they wanted II
a smooth. safe run.
Bob took his honors stoically, only
saying sometimes in that grim way of
ais:
Its better for me to go than any of
you fellers. If you get killed there's
your wives an the kids, but if ever |
go down nobody's hurt"
One day, as his train ran in beside
the depot of Texas town. motionless
among the crowd on the platform was
poor, thin, forlorn-looling woman.
with baby in her arms and every
one could see that her eyes were red
with crying and that she was getting
the worst of it in her battle with the
world.
Anything the matter?" asked a
newcomer, moved by curiosity and on
| INC dlSTb LOT IL S6nSdulOn.
'Nothin' much" was tho idle reply
Of man perched on the outer edge of
tho platform. Woman wants to 90
to the city, and amt got money enough.
You can hear sech as that over day"
A dignitied and prosperous looking
gentleman turned away, lingering his
gold watch chain.
The same old cry" no said; amy
body that wants work can got it in this
county"
Into the little silence that fell after
this speech came clear voice, saying
with some emphasis
Here's my pile"
And looking up they saw tho engin-
ser in the cab just above them going
down into the pockets of his greasy
overalls and bringing out what silver
they contained.
And so the tides bore them apart.
and they met no more.
Actions like this were not so rare
that Bob held any of them in special
remembrance Indeed, no had forgot
en- all about this event when. about
hree years later. Il portly woman,
walked suddenly up to Bob as the train
was about to start, leading by the
hand tiny bit OF girl with long, fair
hair.
Air you Engineer Bob?" asked the
newcomer. because if We air I've
brought ye this child, as was LEFT fur
ye by its mother when she died at my
house night afore last That was her
as will an testament. she said that
you was to have the child on account
Of your givin' her money TO come here
with matter O three years ago, an
mighty glad | am that she give the
young UNI to you, fur I've got six of
me own, an that's enough to keep one
woman a-hustlin'."
After having delivered this cxtraor-
linary speech, she at once took her
self off.
| am sorry to say that Engineer Bob
stood still and stared down at 1.-THE
asst will and testament as discon-
,erted and speechless as though some
eccentric friend had made him n
present of white elephant or Il roc's
Egg, or perhaps of the roc itself. With
Ter hands behind her the little crea-
ure stared up at him in turn but her
survey ended sooner than his. No
Iexing question OF what will he do
with it?" disturbed her reflections. and
he held up one tiny hand toward his
arge and brown one. saying with q
'elf-possession orators might envy:
"Howdy. Bob?'
She was in his arms the next minute.
ccepted as gift from tho dead. and it
vas IL queer, soft feeling Juggling ut
his heartstring5 and making foolish
moisture in the eyes that Bob climbed
INTO the cab with her. and put her up
m the scat beside him, thanking his
stars meanwhile that none of the
'main guys" were around.
For they wouldn't allow it. that's
a fact" he said to himself An yet,
the Lord only knows what I'm going
TO do with her. Maybe I'll think Up
,omcthin' after awhile, but cant now,
to save me-"
All day long Bob pondorc1 over his
nerplexing problem, and came no
nearer a solution.
hearts Baby made captive during that
ride. As night approached. while the
train was at n station, Bob took her in
his arms and slipped around to his par
ticular friend, the mail agent.
See here. Lane he said. with some
embarrassment, II wish you'd put this
kid in there on some of the mail sacks.
an let 'er sleep till the train gets IN.
You see. | don't jest know what to do
with her"
Toss 'er up, Bob" said Lane.
choerily, leaning out to catch her. and
Baby. being tossed up and caught,
kissed her hand and called back,
''Dood night. Boo"
Bob went hack TO his post. and hay
ing brushed his eyes with his grimy
hand was ready to 60 on. 1t began to
matter little with Bob whether any
thing happened TO him, and he had
never been so watchful or SO careful as
he was that night
What II pleasure il was when they
were - at last. and he could go and
get the sleepy little creature and carry
her TO his room ut the boarding house.
She reused up and ate supper with
him. and was quite merry when bod
time came. Bob had just undrcsscd
her. his big, awkward fingers making
slow work of it, and had tucked her
under the cover. but when he was
about to follow her example. she sud-
denly struggled up.
Bob she cried imperiously.