The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-04-20

the tank and got under way again. A
moment later the caboose passed Kean-
ley, and, with ever increasing speed,
swayed onward toward the curve at the
Lone Mound.
AS Keanley neared the little depot,
the strains OF a violin floated toward him.
Soft and sweet came the tune, like the
tinkle 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, aud slowly
rose, Keanley saw that the little fellow
was a cripple. One leg, distorted and
shriveled, swing, useless member.
Resting on his crutches, the boy raised
his hat.
"You're the new agent, spose," he
SAID.
"Yes," Keanley answered, 81 am the
new agent. And who are you?" he con-
tinued, kindly. "The ex-agent9"
"No, only his son." the boy replied.
"And where is your fatherg"
cover 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 u 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 or
discharged"
"He was promoted" the boy said
gravey.
'And what will you do nowa' Kean- :
ley asked, presently.
81 don't know" the boy answered.
I've been thinking and thinking, but
it's no use. | don't know what to do.
P'raps the superintendent will give me
place in an Office. l can write fair
hand and wire pretty well, but l amt
mucn ON neaVy Wofh.
This last with u 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 out
for things generally" Keanley answered,
half desperately. 'I'll feel safer TO gaa
about when | have an assistant whom
know can trust. Theu, too, might
be sick, you know"
The boy looked doubtfully at hlm'
"If YOU are in earnest, III jump at the
chance TO stay" he said.
.In earnest?" Keaney cried, IN pre-,
tended pique at the lads doubt. vi
course, | ain. Do you think | don't
know my own mind, young manF
The boy said nothing. Ana so |. was
settled, and crippled Ben became hean'
ley's assistant, although there was not
work enough to occupy half OF one per-
son S time.
AS the days when the breeze broughs
from the slope the perfume OF the VIA
verbenas were succeeded by those "neu
the snow came with rush ana mss
AGAINST the little depot, Keanley gre"
more than fond of the little cripple -
he sure, to board and clothe the iao anu
to pay him an occasional dollar naut s't
quite gap in each months sa'ary, ~ :.
Keanley never grudged penny 0, ~. ~.
1t was pay enough to witness tue ouy 10y : >
gratitude, and to see the LADS Srea. ey;'
following him with their slances OIL po'''
tive beatitude. ..a
Often and often the violin sang i's
sweet songs, but now they seldom h"o
the pitilul, walling undertone'