Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1893-02-18
A FRIEND IN NEED.

las remarked cheerily, 1T looks a
bit like rain"
So obstrusive and commonplace
statement under similar circum-
stances ON the New York limited or
Boston special would have been re-
'eived with merited contempt. But
Trinidad is in the heart of a par
ticularly arid and uninteresting part
of Colorado, where a sense of COM
panionship in suffering puts travel
ars on easy and agreeable terms.
The young man who sat in the
corner with his travelling cap pulled
dejectedly over his eyes frightened
up and replied, Very"
Thereupon emboldened, the stout
party entered upon monologue of a
meteorological nature, and passed by
easy and graceful stages through a
diversity of topics, displaying large
fund of information and creditable
Auency of expression. Noting the
listless and apathetic demeanor of the
young man, he said brusquely: "Ain't t
you well2 Coming down to New
Mexico for your health9"
The young man Redeemed and
smiled. There was something in the
stout mans manner that cheered and
attracted him. Corpulency always
carries with it measure of comfort
and reinsurance and invited conf
dence. "Oh, yes, I'm well enough,
he answered. Then as the genial
warmth of the stout man pervaded
him. he asked abruptly, did you
notice the two ladies in section eight"
The old lady and the girls" with
an emphasis on the girl" well, l
should say did"
The young man hesitated. ''Idon't
know that it will interest you. fused
to know those ladies back east"
MY boy, it does interest me- l
congratulate you"
The young man laughed, not a
very hearty laugh, but for the first
effort in that direction since the train
had left La Junta it was a success
Il believe I'll tell you about it," he
went on desperately. I've corked
it up so long that I'm tormented in
side The plain truth is that | was
once engaged to that young lady"
The stout man gave him such a
| look of announcement and approba.
ton that he continued:
Its rather a commonplace story
after all and follows the conventional
lines. The girl is an orphan, and,
for some unheard of and impossible
reason, the aunt-that's the she drag
ON with her wouldn't listen to me
ON any pretext or at any price. Her
only idea seemed to be that was
dissipated and worthless, something
between a dude and pirate, and sic
SO worked ON the girl that she sent
me letter saying well, you know,
the same old story, would always
love me, would never marry, part
forever, and all that sort of thing.
That was year ago. l packed up,
came out to Denver, went into busl-
ness, and am getting on first rate
when this horrible meeting came to
spoil me. Here am ON my way to
Los Angeles, and whom should !
stumble upon at La Junta but the
very woman am trying to forget! !!
What the devil do you want to
forget her forl" asked the stout man
warmly. Why don't you brace up
and talk to emf
The young man gave his compan-
ion quick glance of horror. What
Talk to that old lady2 You don't
seem to know her.
The stout man threw his cigar
away, buttoned up his coat and said,
with determination My boy, you
have excited my sympathy, and.
hangit, I'm going to see you through.
| haven't been engaged to the young
lady. ! haven't made any fatal plays
with the old woman. | amt afraid
of dragons, male on female, and I'm
the champion of beauty in distress
every time" With this he opened a
capacious grip.
What are you going to dor asked
the astonished young man.
II am about to produce my letter
of introduction credentials fol
good society. Do you see these views
of the Pacific coasti Never knew
'em to fail. Will guarantee speak
ing acquaintance III five minutes, In
timacy in ten, undying friendship in
fifteen. Good On all trains west OF
Kansas City. Stick to me. my boy.
I'm enlisted for the war.
The ladies sat in their section, ap
parently oblivious of their fellow
passengers. The day was hot de
spite the breeze that was beginning
10 blow from the mountains, but the
eastern woman doesn't thaw rapidly
ON railway train. The girl wai
looking despondently out OF the WIN
dow. and the older woman, very
stern and hard. was pretending q
read David Crieve.' Everybody
| a EtlifU