The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-06-02

did you ever have a valentine?'
But Immediately he was sorry be
bad asked that question, for mammals
thin hand went up TO her eyes, with
the quick, panied movement she al
ways made when he asked about popa;
but abe AIS "ered, quite calmly: Yes,
dear, when I vas young I received a
good may, and once a very beautiful
one"
Then she was quiet for such a long
time that Laddie concluded she must
have fallen asleep; 50 he tip -toed cut
Of tho room, and, eeizjng his cap end
muf1 r, fairly ran il the direction of
the Western station. As he neared the
place, he saw that the train had al
ready come in, for numbers of people
were hurrying toward town-in a
riages, or on foot. Very few view OF
the latter, however, appeared to have
much to carry, and at first there
seemed no chanca of getting a JOB.
But soon he saw a big, good ,natured
looking fellow, carrying a small valise
50 he 0ccoetod him eagerly:
"DJq't you want me to carry your
baggage, sir, please9"
The man looked down at the bit OF
humanity before him-and then at his
~valise; then he laughed long and loud,
shaking so that poor LadGie felt as
though an earthquake were ~convulsing
the pavement beneath him. At last
the man found breath to say:
well, little fellow, I don't see as I
need much help with this thimbletul of
baggage, but that man who has just
passed has a lot to carry; may be he'll
hire you"
Before the sentence was finished, of
darted the boy, so fast that he overlook
the heavily laden traveller, and fairly
tangled himself in the long overcoat,
as he said:
"WiIl you please let me carry this
biggest satchel2 I'll do it cheap"
This man did not laugh-at least, not
aIoud-and Leddie felt encouraged,
though the satcbel looked rather
formidable.
well, we'll, youngester," said the
stranger, you don't look IS though
you could manage such q heavy load, |
but you may take this smaller bundle,
ii you can carry it as far as the Cen
trail hotel, for I'm in a good deal Of a
hurry"
Laddie hesitated. Would you pay |
more for the big setchel3' he asked.
I've got lots of biceps; just feei!'
This time the new man did net laugh, |
and said pleasantly: mo, carry tie |
small one and I'll pay you whatever
you ask"
Whatever you esk = Could it be
possible7 Tnen he could get the whole
sum at once! But no, perhaps this |
would SEEM to much to pay. 'Twould
do no harm to ask, however, SO he
said, taking the bundle uni trudging
brave!y along:
"Would twenty cents be too
much?"
well, that's rather a queer sum, |
but l think I can stand it. Why don't
you make i5 an v quarter, thought"
Tnen L8ddie told all about his valen
tine plan, and the three cents already |
in his pocket, and the pretty card at
the book store which could be bought !
fer a quarter. The gentleman was
very mu5h interested, and watched his
little companion closely, es he went
on. AtlRst, when Lsddie stopped to !
take breath, he said:
Why don't you ask your papa for
the money 2"
cause papa isn't here; he never
was here since I can remember, and [
don't know if hos dead OF not, mamma
always cries when she tells about him. y
The gentleman stepped suddenly,
and, looking eagerly into Laddie sup
turned face, asked one more question::
what is your name2"
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 eddie found him
s9lt clasped close in the string arms OF
his new friend. He didn't quite under
stand it, MOI why the stranger almost
sobbed, ae he said: My baby! my
baby!' He hardly liked that, and 50,
strengthening himself up as tall as he
could, he said, S urdily: I'm sovenI'
Yes, yes, little man." laughed the
gentleman, "but you used to be my
baby, and I have come back to you