Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1893-04-14

the tank and got under way again. a
moment later the caboose passed Keau-
ley, and, with ever increasing speed,
swayed onward toward the curve at the
Lone Mound.
AS Keanley neared the little depot,
the strains of violin foated toward him.
Soft and sweet came the tune, like the
tfnkle of musical glasses, and there was
in it pathetic, wailing undertone, as if
the player was striving to tell in music
of heart ache and trials bravely borne.
Keanley could hardly repress an ejacu-
lation of surprise as he entered the little
Office and beheld the wielder of the magic
bow, pale-faced boy, almost child.
As the lad carefully deposited the violin
in the open box at his side, and slowly
rose, Keanley saw that the little fellow
was cripple. One leg, distorted and
shriveled, swing, useless member.
Resting on his crutches, the boy raised
his hat.
"You're the new agent, s'pose," he
said.
eyes" Keanley answered, 81 am the
new agent. Aud who are you2" he con-
tinued, kindly. "The ex-agent2"
"No, only his son" the boy replied.
''And where is your father2"
"Over there, on the SLOPE"
The boys chin quivered as he spoke.
Keanley looked from the window. On
the slope of the Lone Mound was tiny
grave yard. One oblong black blotch in
its midst marked new made grave.
The agent was there.
pardon me-" KeanleY said; 81 did
not know. My instructions simply told
me to take charge of the station. sup
posed the agent had been promoted OF
discharged"
"He was promoted" the boy said
gravely.
'And what will you do nowa" Kean
ley asked, presently.
~ don't know" the boy answered
"I've been thinking and thinking, bu
it's no use. don't know what to do.
P'raps the superintendent will give me a
place in an Office. I can write fail
hand and wire pretty well, but l ain,
much on heavy work."
This last with rueful glance at his
crutches.
Then Keanley lied. and deliberately,
too. He had no need of an assistant,
but lightning resolve flashed through
his brain, and he said to the cripple:
'You are just the chap am looking
for. need boy to help me-"
"What for" asked the lad.
"To-to-why, to write and look on,
for things generally" Keanley answered
half desperately. "l'll feel safer to gad
about when have an assistant whom
know can trust. Then, too, ! might
be sick, you know"
The boy looked doubtfully at him
eff you are in earnest, I'll jump at the
chance to stay" he said.
''In earnest" Keanlcy cried, In pre-
tended pique at the lads doubt. 20
course, am. Do you think / dom
know my own mind, young manG"
The boy said nothing. And so it was
settled, and crippled Ben became Kean
ley's assistant, although there was no
work enough to occupy half of one per
sons time.
AS the days when the breeze brought
from the slope the perfume OF the wild
verbenas were succeeded by those wher
the snow came with rush and his
against the little depot, Keanley grew
more than fond of the little cripple. TX
be sure, to board aud clothe the lad ant
to pay him an occasional dollar mad
quite gap in each months salary, bu
Kesnley never grudged penny of it
1t was pay enough to witness the boy
gratitude, and to see the lads great eye
following him with their glances of posi-
tive beatitude.
Often and often the violin sang 1t
sweet songs, but now they seldom ha'
the pitiful, weiling undertone.
The lads father had planned to d
justice to his talent by having him taugh
by master of the violin. Now, Kean
ley and little Ben planned in a happy
visionary way. They were to save wha
money they could, aud thus little Bcr
was to have the coveted musical insrruc
ton. But, at best, the accumulation o
funds went on slowly.
The plans OF the two went further thai
this. Keanley had, .tonce upon time,
been foolish enough 20 fall in love wit
old Senator Hicks's daughter, and sh
returned his love. The old senator
when he found how matters stood pro