Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1895-02-09

consisted of coppers He suddenly looked
up and said:
"A fellow couldn't earn 90 cents be-
tween now and tomorrow, could he?'
why, l dare say he might by trying
hard" answered the clerk cheerfully
There's quite a good bit to be earned
sometimes by carrying peoples satchels
from the station
So quite hopefully our little man sped
away in the direction of the Western sta
ton. AS he neared the place he saw that
the train had already come in, for num-
bers of people were hurrying toward town
in carriages or on foot. Very few of the
latter, however, appeared to have much to
carry, and at first there seemed no chance
of getting job. But as he saw big, good
natured looking fellow carrying small
valisc, he accosted him eagerly:
Don't you want me to carry your bag
gage, sir, please?'
The man looked down at the bit of hui
manity bcf1re him and then at his valise
Then he laughed long and loud, shaking
so that Laddie felt as though an earth
quake were convulsing the pavement be-
meath him. %U last the man found breath
to say:
We'll, little fellow, don't see that I
need much help with this thimbleful Of
baggage, but that man who has just
passed has j.. to carry. Maybe he'll
hire you.'
Before IT, sentence was finished off
darted the boy SO fast that he overlook tho
heavily laden traveller and fairly tangled
himself in the long overcoat as he said
will you please let me carry this big
gest satchelf I'll do it chcap!'
This man did NOT 1ooet ~
aloud-and Laddie felt encouraged, though
the satchcl looked rather formidable
We'll, well, youngster, said the
stranger, you don't look as though you
could manage such heavy load, but you
may take this smaller bundle, if you can
carry it as far as Central hotel, for Pm in
good deal of Il hurry"
Laddie hesitated. Would you pay
more for the big satchel?'' he asked
This time the new man did laugh and
said pleasantly, NO. carry the small one,
and I'll pay you whatever you ask. "
"Whatcver you ask!'' Could it be posi-
ble2 Then he could get the whole sum at
once! But, no. Perhaps this would seem
too much to pay 'Twould do no harm to
ask, however, SO he said, taking the bun
die and trudging bravely along:
Would % cents be too much?"
We'll, that's rather queer sum, but
think l can stand it. Why don't you
make it an even quarter, thought"
Then I.addic told all about his valentine
plan, and the cents already in his pocket,
and the pretty card at the book store
which could be bought for a quarter. The
gentleman was very much interested and
watched his little companion closely as he
went on. At last, when Laddie stopped
to take breath, he said:
why don't you ask your papa for the
money!
g Cause papa ism t here. He never was
here since | can remember, and don't
know If he's dead or rot, but mamma al
ways cries when she tells about him.
Tho gentleman stopped suddenly, and
looking eagerly into Laddie's upturncd
face asked one more question:
What is your namef'
Mamma calls me Laddie, but my real
name is Lawrence Raymond. That was
papa's name
Down went the load of bundles on the
pavement, and Laddie found himself
claspcd close in the strong arms of his new
friend. He didn't quite understand it nor
why the stranger almost sobbed as he said,
"My baby, my baby" He hardly liked
that, and so, strengthening himself up as
tall as he could, he said sturdily, Pm n"
Yes, yes, little man." laughed the gen
tleman, but you used to be my baby, and
l have come back to you. Now, let's
hurry to mamma as fast as we can"
Without the valentine?' said Laddie,
hardly realizing the truth as yet.
"Well get her one tomorrow, dear, the
finest one in town, but now show nte the
way home and tell mo all about her"
So they hurried toward tho humble
house, Laddic telling about mammals
troubles as we'll as he knew how and lis
tening to bits of pnpa's strange story,
which sounded almost as wonderful as
Robinson Crusoe. At last they reached
the door, and Laddie rushed in, crying ex
citcdly:
Mamma it's come back-thc valentine
-papa-22 cents-oh, dear!'
Mamma gave start and joyful cry.
Then suddenly Laddie found himself once
more warmly embraced, this time, how
ever, in two pair of arms instead of one,
and he felt queer to see both mamma and
the new found papa crying over him.
But the queer feeling gave place to a
most happy one when after awhile he saw
mamma sitting at the table with Il bright
look he had never seen on her face before
and heard her say to papa:
"Laddio has brought mo the best yalen-
tine / ever receivedr'