Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1893-08-31
Observation-Disclosures

employing their hands from a. m. to 10
p. m, aud giving them, as a rule, the al.
ternate Sundays. So that, as things went,
he 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 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 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 II 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 10 Warner, VINO, Tor ms part, re-
sponded with an anxious good will in
which, il Agchy had known, there was a
certain undercurrent of penitence. The fact
was Warner had just been thinking as he
saw the omnbuses 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 permanent hand?" The
iniquity of this thought to his kindly and
gentle nature seemed terrible, and the con.
sciousness of guilt made his tone to Archy
one Of deprecating cordiality.
lie 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 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
I'VE 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 itf"
Yes" said Archy, reserving to himself
a reflection that life contained some very
long lanes, indeed, as not OF 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, a sudden
impulse seized him.
"Can you take my place today" he said
accosting Warner. Pm awfully anxiou.
to have the day, but can't risk getting
sacked"
Warmers face beamed.
II told Janet this morning." he said, a
he followed Archy, "Td feeling SHOULD
be in luck today"
cts just here" said Archy staring
straight before him. "I'm thinking o.
going down into the country for day-ol
two-or may be more-I can't exactly tell
not being on the spot, how long may re
quire to stay. And 1t would be load of
my mind to know my place wouldn't b.
snapped up"
"Pll keep 1t for you," said Warner ener
getically, land give it up to you wh'n yol
come back; for it's queer thing, rs
know, TO be thrown out of work. And I'm
sure hope you'll have pleasant journey
Beautiful down in the country this time o
year, amt iti"
"Ahw said Archy. "Yes, the country
q fine place, especially, as you say, abou
this time Of the year, when you can Ii
down in a field and smoke "A pipe withou
catching cold, otherwise than from tn
general treachery Of the climate. Natura
objects, as meadows, spring flowers, cows
windmills, rippling streams, blue SIX
when it don't happen to be rainy, fresh air
plenty OF wholesome victuals, that's m
style"
Archy had spoken jerkily and rapidly
but with entire composure; and yet ther
was something In his tone, suggestion O
a possible want OF sincerity, that mad
Warmers brain whirl.
81 expect that would be all our styles,
he said timidly, "if we could afford II
You've friends in the country, suppose.
"AhP' replied Archy benignantly, looi
ing at Warner for the first time. Lots Q
'em. Fellows who would share their las
crust with me. But 1t amt come TO thai
they live on the fat OF the land, call It,"
YOU'RE lucky fellow" said Warne
admiringly
"Well," said Archy with still decpe
gravity, sometimes think am In luck
way. now you mention It. Especially thi
morning. And now | think as there's
particular train | have II In my mind {
catch, and as your times just up, I'll bi
you good day"
He grasped Warmers hand and turne
away. After ALL he had said and don
nothing remarkable; and yet, such wa
the serene benignity Of his tone and maj
ner, that for moment Warner stood stoc
still on the pavement, staring after him.
Archy went back to his lodgings, but
could not rest there, and soon he went OF
again. He found himself wondering whit
Warmers wife and child were like, and
struck him that, rs he had nothing else
do. he would go around by Dix street
II was "a small street OF tiny, Jerry bui
houses, with their numbers inscribed yei
legibly on the doors, 50 that Arcby bad 0
difficulty In recognizing "a. There was
brown blind over the low half Of the wi
dow; but Archy's tall head rose above
and AS be passed he glanced furtiyeiy In,
II Il were a crime. IL was a small, ba
room with no furniture but deal table,
box or two and an old rocking chair draw
up to the hearth. whose fire had gone ou
On that rocking chair a girl was slttin
with baby IN her arms, rocking slowly
and fro. and singing wearily. over and ov
again;
There Is not In the wide world valley
sweet.
Amcre girl she looked. but very vast
and her checks had not iinRe OF colo
aud yet II wns one Of he sweetest face
Archy thought, that he had ever seen.
this was Warmers wife. perhaps be was
lucky fellow after all
He wondered II there was anything
eat IN the house. She did not look as
there was. But Tor the life OF him