Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-09-08
EMBARRASSED BY A HEADLIGHT.

QuisitiSe small Boy.
The Alton limited train for Chicago had
just pulled out OF the Union depot when a
round faced. red checked boy about six
years old stood up in a reclining chair and
surveyed the crowded car.
Ism 1t funny, mamma" he observed to
pretty woman Of thirty, who sat by his
side, that all these people took a notion
to go same day we did,"
1t is the same every day, darling" the
lady answered.
Where do they go. mammap"
everywhere. Some will get off at an
dependence, some at Slater, some at Glas-
gov, some at Centralia and"-
Say, mamma with great vigor), just
look at that man with the funny nose.
What makes it so red?"
Ssh! Hush"
But, mamma! See him smile"
Don't talk any more, darling"
Inc younSster got up on the seat, and
leaning against the back of it looked hard
at the red nosed gentleman behind He
was quiet for two minutes, when he OBJ
served:
''Say, mister, what makes your nose so
red?'
The pretty woman of thirty blushed until
she was redder than the dubious nose.
Come here, my little man. said the
gentleman softly, land I'll tell you all
about it,"
The boy jumped down, and before his
mother could catch him he was in the red
nosed gentleman's lap.
do you want a banana?'' the gentleman
asked.
''Oh, yes" said the boy, ''but 1 want you
to tell me what makes your nose red first"
His tones were very distinct. The
mother blushed furiously and once or
twice the travellers thought she was about
to apologize to the gentleman with the
red nose. but she sat still and looked at
her hands
Here comes the fruit man." said the
gentleman softly. Don't you want an
orange too?''
.'Yes, and some figs. Have you got a lit
tie boy?''
YES, 1 have three little boys"
rs all their noses red?''
Somebody behind laughed and the gen
tleman looked sour. Even the pretty wo-
man of thirty, now red faced, smiled a lit
tie.
And say, mister, don't it feel funny to
have red nose:"
''Sh! Don't you want this orange?"
Eyes, but I'd think it would be hot there
on the end''
isn't this nice banana?"
Let me feel the end of your nose, mis-
ter
The little woman ahead could stand it
Ilo lciltsSI lictl utT SetlU anu
went back to the youngster.
I'm afraid, SIR she said to the gentle
man with the red nose, that my little boy
is annoying you"
ooh. no; not at all, said the gentleman.
t'On the contrary, am enjoying his COM
pany very much"
Say, mamma" chirped the youngster,
this gentleman says he's got three little
boys with red noses"
Herbert
Amt you, nIister?"
''Ha! ha! Oh, yes" the gentleman re-
returned with evident effort.
Come with mamma, dearie. You must
go to sleep soon.'
''I'd rather stay here
The gentleman was silent
''Well, You must keep quiet" said the
pretty woman of thirty.
81 will, mamma
Two minutes later the traveller heard a
faint whisper from the boy.
Say, mister" he said, ''ain't you glad
you've got such red nose?"
There was a smoker across the aisle.
NO." whispered the gentleman hoarse-
ly; keep still"
There was more silence, while the boy
slowly ate his banana. He felt rebuked
and inch by inch he slid from the lap of the
gentleman with the red nose. Then he ran
TO the pretty woman of thirty.
"Say, mamma" he said, after he had
nestled in her skirts moment, you don't
know how funny that gentleman's red nose
feels"
Just then the conductor happened in
He was instantly hailed by two persons
who chorused:
''Have you lower berth in the Chicago
sleeper?'
Just two," replied the conductor.
Il want to go back with my little boy"
said the pretty woman of thirty.
"And you, SIR" queried the conductor.
81 have concluded not to go to Chicago,
but l will take birth in the st. Louis
sleeper if you have one left"
1t was the gentleman with the red nose.
Kansas City Times.