The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-11-27

Chips! stood with his hands In his
{ pockets On the pier that drops South
4 street abruptly ! into the Delaware
! river. The hell of . ferry boat just
starting was ringing i last warning to
the hlrrying crowd Of passengers; pre-
paratory. to ito trip to Camden. The
r whistles of the big sugar refineries told
the close Of = working day, and the
heavily loaded trucks rolled over the
rough cobble stoneA making as much
noise az q passing regiment. AIS ss
Chips" stood IN the center Of all this
noisy confusion, but he was utterly OBJ,
livious to all surroundings
He was thinking. 81 &
Tomorrow was Thanksgiving, and
from all present appearances the fes-
tive turkey, the emblem of this nation.
I'D feast day, Was about as tar on as
the Fourth Of July. 81 wouldn't mind
so much," he soliloquized, s.if 1t wasn't
for Jen, but she'll kind er miss the
bird end Of the programme, and Jen
ought ter have just all she wants. God
knows how long she'll have ter enjoy
it." 5 4 IA "a
"Chips" was newsboy, and every
morning his voice could be heard sing
ing out the morning papers along the
wharves. On this particular evening
he stood with a number Of last edi-
tons of evening papers under his arm,
thinking Of his little sister Jen, and
was only awakened from his reverie
by an impatient call from a regular
customer ITO hurry and bring me, my
paper" Il
Chips" fastened to comply and then
started to diminish his bundle Of even.
ing papers. Into each foot passengers
face he inquired anxiously, Papers ?"
only to be met with nod Of the head
to the. contrary or more often no an
swer at all. Terrible pile Of folks are
goin' ter have turkey, It seems to me-"
said Chips" to himself, as he saw the
long necks Of well fattened turkeys
hanging from the loosely wrapped bun
dies Of the passers-by. Guess most
everybody Is too busy thinking of
Thanksgiving ter want any papers"
1t was late, very late, when "Chips''
made his way up several long flights
0f stairs to top floor in a cheap tene-
ment In the Sailortown district.
you're late, my boy"
yep, guess am, MON; h0w's Jen? 2"
"She isn't SO well, I'm afraid"
she keeps gettin' worse all the
time. Say, nom, to-morrer's, gOin' ter
he her last Thanksgivin' day, and she
amt goin' ter have no bird ter cele-
brate with"
No matter, my boy. She has O
brother who would givesher anything
In the world he has, and that makes
her very happy. But have something
more serious to consider. am afraid
our Thanksgiving can hardly be
very happy one. Have you thought
about what day this is? We are just
two months back in the rent. He came
today and said we would have to go.
l don't care for myself, but for our.
Jen, 1t seems unbearable."
''Oh, Momsie, don't worry; be sure
we couldn't move Jen when she's lynn
so sick"
'He says he has found q paying ten
ant who wants to move in tomorrow.
He said that we would have to move
her or he would have her moved
i I'm goin' out, Momsie. may not
get back until late, but don't worry"
1t was O'Clock in the morning and
was sitting at my desk when l was
somewhat startled by the question,
, Want shine, sir? A reg'lar Thanks
giving shine?''
There was in that pleasing look no
semblance Of charity, but q purpose
lay In those deep brown eyes. "I'll
Just take one of those" SAID. and the
little stranger went to work on my
shoes in such a determined way that
asked him IL he wasn't rushing
things.
"Got ter hurry tonight he replied.
There's got ter be a hull lot er shoes
shtned by this here member Of our
family"
Are you the head Of the family?' I
asked IN rather light way.
In the face turned up toward mine
there was such a seriousness, such a
discouraged look that / hated myself
Tor speaking as lightly as I did. ST
ain't shinin' shoes for amusement at 2
O'Clock in the morning, was the nm
swer, and he bent Ills head over my