Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-11-28
FARMER MARTIN IN A FIX.
Small Wait Changed Clothes With
His Benefactor and the Latter
Was Chased as Daft.

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an honest faced boy he found in the region
of Custom House place. He was so glad to
discover some one in this great city he could
trust that he forgot the warnings Of his wife
at Sheboygan and readily followed the lad to
a hotel close by. The youngsters tongue
was glib and oily and during the evening his
tale of woe won the heart of the simple man.
Mr.. Martin had read in the books It the
Sunday school library stories of just such un-
fortunate waits. He listened to the yarn of
a cruel mother, drunken father and a
house without crust. He rittied the rags
and the dirty but honest face, and promised
to send at once an old suit of h S boys for
the innocent wanderer who had steered him
to = rocker in vestibuled hotel and guided
him from the snares and traps of the wicked.
This experience made happy evening for
the farmer. an innovation on the endless
round of fish and corn talk of his native viii
lage. He treasured every word of the lad s
speeches, choice morels to retell to the mighty
meetings of the drug store whiting club.
The time passed swiftly and about O'Clock
Mr. Martin concluded it was late. He arose
to 60 to bed when the innocent, guileless
youth OF Custom House place begged not to
be put into the street.
LITTLE WILLIE RISES EARLY.
MIR. Martins compassion was aroused.
He wouldn't think of such a thing. His bed
should be the lads also. This was the least
he could do. 1t would cost a quarter more,
but there was yet an abundance left in the
roll of ~. He would once at least be good
samaritan and pnt bit of q treasure beyond
the reach Of moths and corruption. So up
the stairs went old age and youth, and as
soon as Mr.. Martin had tucked in his new
made friend he crawled between the sheets
to dream Of mountains of pumpkin pie aud
oceans Of apple cider, sailed by pirates and
robbers.
The honest-faced boy never closed his eyes
He lay all curled up until the sounds from
the other side of the bed indicated the slum-
Der Of guiltless conscience. He then quietly
crept to the floor, dressed himself in the togs
of the farmer, slipped the watch and purse
from under the pillow and tiptoed down the
stairs to the street. 1t was early yet for him
only midnight, and, with his hands hidden
in the long sleeves and his trousers rolled up
q foot, he silently stole south into the misty
regions Of Clark street. He had stolen every
thing the farmer had, except his whiskers
and robe de mutt.
CHASED As A LUNATIc.
Mr.. Martin continued to dream until early
dawn. He was awakened by the roomer in
the next stall, who insisted on singing 'sUncle
John" and throwing his shoes at the wash
bowl. The noise suggested FIRE and burglars
to the simple soul and he instinctively reach
ed tor his friend. The bed was empty and
and when the good man struck light he
fund little Willie had left him. His good
SUIT Yves replaced by the boys rags and all
he had in Chicago wasn't enough to be of
any service to the public.
His heart was broken. All day long he
waited for Willie, trying to assure himse
the honest-faced boy would return. He
STAYED in his room patiently until O'Clock
In the afternoon, and then, putting on the
tattered garments of the youth, he went
down to the hotel Office. His trousers came
to his knees and his coat covered the tops Of
his shoulders and the loungers who saw him
at once called him insane. This frightened
him. He plunged iuto the open air and
started down Van Buren, street on full run.
The police joined the chase and near Polk
the supposedly desperate man was run to
earth.
He was nearly scared to death on reaching
the Harrison street station. His story was
finally told. A detective loanded him suit
and now Detective Herbert is looking for an
honest-faced boy dressed in Prince Albert
coat and split leather boots. Chicago Times
Herald.