The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1897-09-30

here for reunion-but it's the first
we've had north of Lexington. That's
our pet place.
After a general Handwriting the
party broke up into groips, Wilkins
and Kit reclining on the floor smoking
cigarettes.
AS he could not then talk with Will
kins Van proceeded to satisfy his Curl
osity 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. II you
doubt me look at my trowel.' The
Righteousness of his ways usually gets
him a 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 raiser" 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, q five-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 fattened out
and washed.
Each nan had a 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 we're fried
On the pieces of tin which they had fiat
tened, and soon the first course was
eaten, amid much testing and laugh
ter, for all hoboes are apt to be jovial
when certain of one full meal in a 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
fuence wilkins into telling the truth,
as he was interested in the man, who
seemed above his fellows, Sd sat by his
side and watched him stealtliily 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 it up.
Scarcely had he ceased when all were
surprised to heal wilkins the Silent"
saying:
Il was born and raised in New York
city. While yet a young man l learned
locomotive engineering, and for years
had a freight. That paid me about
one hundred and forty dollars a month,
and l saved my money. When l was
tw~enty-eight l married. My wife hal
been one of a large family and | meant
her never to be lonesome nor unhappy.
l bought a nice house and furnished It
c7sily, deciding it to her. That used
up all l had saved; but I had a good
run, was considered one of the best
men on the road, and everything went
smoothly for a year. l was home every
second night and my wife was content
ed.
Zone day I had a sudden order tn
trade engines when l met a certain
train, as that engineers wife was sick
and he wished tc return home. l never
tired of my wife and loved to be with
her, so was glad to go to her sooner
than / had expected"
Here he paused, and here all looked
at him in surprise, particularly Jim,
who muttered:
about his past. and I have not heard
him mention it for years! Thought he
had forgotten it,"
To this Kit responded:
"If there is anything you don't want
him to tell, go over to him. That mar
Raymond has him sort of mesmerized
| believe"
Jim half started from his seat, buI
Missouri Kid drew him back as wilkins
continued:
at was nearly ten o'clock when
reached home. What a sound o.
drunken revelry met my ears! Coult
it. be there was no mistake? Was tia
house mine?
Il asked a passer-by who lived
there.
"'The blindest fool in the world,
was his reply. He runs an engine or
the New York Central, and his wife
raises the roof when he is away
"One minute later l entered. The
crowd, composed of my wife's brothers
sisters and cousins, quickly dispersed
l was too much hurt to remonstrat,
with her; but she, being guilty, coult
rot keep quiet.
"'You had no business marrying m,
when you could not support me tn,
way | want to live,' she began. I hav,
ncrtgaged the house and the furniture
nd I've not paid a bill in two months
You may as we'll know it all now, an,
not have to find it out later. w,
spent the money for suppers and goo,
times. I'm tired of this life! I'm go
ing on the stage
THAT is why I'm a hobo"