The Yale expositor., 1897-07-02

1.-THE Flying Sword" exclaimed Jim,
as the man unbuttoned his coat, put
one hand into the upper part OF the
left sleeve and drew out tin trowel,
over three feet long, remarking
II still carry the tomahawk."
where did he have that trowel?"
Van managed to whisper to Jim.
"Oh, the handle was up his sleeve,
and the tip in his pocket. 1t is not
trowel, you know, only a guy. Come
in and meet the boys. This we'll
dressed chap is Diamond Kit that
short one is Billy the Bat; yonder come
Duty and Missouri Kid. Oh, we're all
here for reunion-but it's the first
we've had north of Lexington. That's
our pet place.
After a general handshaking the
party broke up into groups. wilkins
and Kit reclining on the floor smoking
cigarettes.
AS he could not then talk with Will
kins Van proceeded to satisfy his curl
oslty by questioning the one known as
Missouri Kid"
"The Flying Sword? Oh, he got the
name by carrying that tin trowel. He
will go and ask for work, telling the
boss that he lays brick, not by the hun
dred a day but by the acre. If you
doubt me look at my trowel.' The
righteousness OF his ways usually gets
him job, too He is a very fair brick
layer, but of course not so good as
Diamond Kit, who is considered the
best in the United States"
How about our hobo stew?" now
chimed in wilkins voice.
How much can we raise?" was
Kits practical supplementary remark.
The sum of two dollars was collect
ed, with which Kit and Wilkins de-
! parted to do the marketing.
Soon after they returned with vari-
Gus bundles, fve-gallon tin sausage
can and an empty tobacco can for
each person present.
Van was interested, and pressed for
ward to see what was going on.
While Kit made the stew he sent
some of the boys out for empty cans.
He ordered the solder removed from
them, and that they be flattened out
and washed.
Each man had tomato can, and a
small portion of ground coffee with
which he made his own drink. army
style. and this was drunk with con-
densed milk. Slices of steak were fried
on the pieces of tin which they had fat
tened, and soon the first course was
eaten, amid much jesting and laugh
ter. for all hoboes are apt to be jovial
when certain of one full meal in day.
After the coffee was drunk the cans
were filled up with the rich, savory
stew.
AS dusk came on the men reclined
about the floor, telling their expert
ences. Van determined 20 try to In
fluence wilkins into telling the truth.
as he was interested in the man, who
seemed above his fellows. 50 sat by his
side and watched him stealthily while
Jim told of his life. how he had start
ed cut from necessity, and so fallen in
love with the wild freedom that he
could rot bear to give 1t up.
Scarcely had he ceased when all were
surprised to hear wilkins the Silent"
saying:
"I was born and raised in New York
city. While yet a young man learned
locomotive engineering, and for years
had a freight. That paid me about
one hundred and forty dollars a month
and saved my money. When | was
twenty-eight married. My wife hal
been one of a large family and | meant
her never to be lonesome nor unhappy.
| bought nice house and furnished .t
costly, deciding it to her. That used
up all / had saved; but had a good
run, was considered one Of the best
men on the road. and everything went
smoothly for year. was home every
second night and my wife was content
ed.
"One day I had a sudden order tn
trade engines when / met a certain
train, as that engineers wife was sick
and he wished tc return home. never
tired of my wife and loved to be with
her, so was glad to go to her sooner
than I had expected"
|
at him in surprise, particularly Jim,
who muttered:
by God, he Is telling the truth
about his past, and l have not heard
him mention it for years! Thought he
had forgotten it."
To this Kit responded:
eff there is anything you don't want
him to tell, go over to him. That man
Raymond has him sort Of mesmerized
| believe"
Jim half started from his seat. but
Missouri Kid drew him back as wilkins
continued:
'Tt was nearly ten o'clock when
reached home. What sound OF
drunken revelry met my ears! Could
Il be there was no mistake? Was that
house mine?
'T asked a passer-by who lived
there.
"'The blindest fool in the world,
was his reply. He runs an engine on
the New York Central and his wife