The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-04-19

tne tank anu 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 6oated toward him.
Soft and sweet came the tune, like the
tinkle of musical glasses, and there was
In 1t pathetic, wailing undertone, as il
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 behold the wielder of the magic
bow, pale.faced boy, almost a child.
As the lad carefully deposited the violin
In the open box at his side, aud slowly
rose, Keanley saw that the little fellow
was cripple. One leg, distorted and
shriveled, swing, a useless member.
Resting on his crutches, the boy raised
his hat.
you're the new agent, s'pose," he
said.
"Yes," Keanley answered, az am the
new agent. Aud who are your he con.
tinued, kindly. "The ex-agent7"
'No, only his son." the boy replied.
''And where is your fatherl"
"Over there, on the slope"
The boys chin quivered as he spoke.
Kean!ey 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; 'T did
not know. My instructions simply told
me to take charge of the station. sup
posed the agent had been promoted or
discharged"
"He was promoted" the boy said
gravely.
sand what will you do uowa' Keau.
ley asked, presently.
~ don't know" the boy answered.
"Tve been thinking and thinking, but
it's no use. l don't know what to do.
P'raps the superintendent will give me
place ia an office. / can write fair
hand and wire pretty well, but l amt
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. l need a boy to help me-"
"What fort" asked the lad.
"To-to-why, to write and look out
for things generally" Keanley answered,
half desperately. "l'll feel safer to CAD
about when have au assistant whom l
know l can trust. Then, too, 1 might
be sick, you know"
The boy looked doubtfuuy at him.
''If you are in earnest, I'll jump at the
chance to stay" he said.
''In earnest2" Keanley cried, IN pre-
tended pique at the lads doubt. ''Of
course, am. Do you think l don't
know my own mind, young mani"
The boy said nothing. Aud so it was
settled, and crippled Ben became Kean-
ley's assistant, although there was not
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 when
the snow came with a rush and hiss
against the little depot, Keanley grew
more than fond of the little cripple. 70
be sure, to board aud clothe the lad and
to pay him an occasional dollar made
quite gap in each months salary, but
Keanley never grudgcd q penny of it.
1t was pay enough to witness the boys
gratitude, and 10 see the lads great eyes
following him with their glances of posi-
tive beatitude.
Often and often the violin sang its
sweet songs, but now they seldom had
the pitiiul, wailing undertone.
The lads father had planned to do
justice to his talent by having him taught
by a master of the violin. Now, Kean-
ley aud little Ben planned in a happy,
visionary way. They were to save what
money they could, aud thus little Ben
was to have the coveted musical instruc-
ton. But, at best, the accumulation of
funds went on slowly.
The plans OF the Two went further than
this. Keanloy had, "once upon "a time, "
been foolish enough 20 fall in love with
old Senator IIicks's daughter, and she
returned his love. The old senator,
when he Gounl how matters stood, pro-