River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-08-19

was so fortunate as TO enlist the sym
pathies of a woman who had a bottle Of
milk in her travelling bag.
Il was pretty hungry" he paused to
say, after a long draft of milk. I'm
awful glad to have something to eat.
but | guess I'm giadder to have some
one to speak to me"
And then Miss Angel leaned over IN
h. him, no matter who might be look
ing.
The long hours went by; the rain still
fell; people came and went at every sta
ton; the Quebec romance was forgot
ten. bat Miss Angel was not having \
stupid day. \ copy of Mrs. Ewing's
"Jackanapes" was found among the
trainbOy's trash, 10 which the languid
child listened with fattering attention.
While afterward the reader heard a
story even more touching than that vel
low-haired laddie's. This hero's name
was plain Jamie, and when hot cocoa
and chicken had supplemented the ear
lier meal color came into the paIe
cheeks and sparkle 10 the tired ewes
which made him very attractive hero.
Is the afternoon darkened his head
was pillowed on Miss Angelrs arm.
i guess you are a good deal like an
angel" having had her name exchanged
for his own. Anyway, | guess YOU are
an answer 10 my grandma's PRAYER.
She asked God 10 let me find a friend
wherever ! h.l to 90. / G3n't believe
she would have thought / could come
so far alone; She didn't like to have me
go to the village alone, but Mrs. Brown.
she said [ must go to my father
And the father he could not remember
at all. Poor little wanderer! But now.
whatever might be IN store, he slept on
Janet's arm, the sleep of childish trust
and safety.
This was a slow train at best; and
there had been hot box, and then n
tedious detention on a side track for the
passing of the east-bound train. So il
was growing very late, and no one could
guess what time the city would be
reached, since the right OF way was
lost. Judge Adams, Janet's friends
husband, whom she had never seen, was
TO meet her; it was not agreeable that
his acquaintance with her should begin
with this uncomfortable experience.
She had taken her ain gait; ''and for
once / knew a reason for having my
own way" she said to herself, looking
down ut the still, white face under the
swaying lamp.
1t was early IA her than late when
the few through passengers from Chi
cagO, stiff, sleepy and cross entered the
great empty station-quite two o'clock.
Two weary-looking men. with that not
to be disguised ar of reproach with
which innocent travellers by delayed
train are always greeted, came down
the long PLATFORM.
Little Jamie, half-carried by Miss
Angeles firm hand, stumbled sleepily
and was scarcely aroused by her CHEEKY
assurance.
Here they are. Jamie! That is
Judge Adams, l know, aLu the other
must be your papa"
But while the recognized stranger ex-
tended a courteous greeting Ia the lady
the other looked aHNiOusly about, dived
into the waiiing-room and out again,
muttering audibIy:
Didn't come, after all. Can't depend
on n woman. only TO change her mind, -
as he turned impatiently into ;he street.
You are wondering about my little
charge" Janet began, and found her
voice trembling with fatigue and excite
meut Where could that man be?
Jamie Pine has come from Vermont
to meet his father here. Perhaps il is
not strange they have missed each
other. but how shall we proceed to find
him?"
Pine. did you say?"
The Judge looked sharply At the child.
who seemed the least interested OF the
three. What is the mans business"
Jamie says he works in a lumber
mill"
Jim Pine" a train hand standing
near interrupted. 'Georgei WHO'S 60
ing TO tell tnat ba1y?" be almost wills
pered. Come over here, mister"
He turned his big black thumb over
his shoulder. and Judge Adams fol-
lowed.
Never heard OF no such thing outside
story book" he CALCULATED, hOarsely
Lawyer, amt you? Seen you in court.
seems TO me. Say, that must be Jim
Pine. sent up for life last week. count
of that killing scraPe down IN the lum-
be- district. An that little Teller!
Rough, amt it?"
Miss Angeles Imagination had not all
been mortgaged TO the realities of 40
years; she felt she knew a dreadful
I +h,.rrT, - ha.,.f1 NOT n word
Something has gone amiss. know, ="
she said, looking up AT the troubled face
of the mau, who walked slowly back TO
her Jamie was fast asleep again. his
head prone or the iron arm of Ie sta
I ton bench.
This child must be put TO bed. Can
I not YOU vouch for me at some nearby
hotel aud make my peace with Mar
garet until tO-morrcw-to-day, rather?'
Her smile was faint. and she caught
At the back OF the seat.
Margaret will forgive anything but
my failure TO bring YOU home. There
Is one more uptown car; we can get 1t
If we dc not delay. Come, little man.
Janet had expected TO be pleased with
Margaret's husband. but she felt a rush
OF deeper feeling than mere liking a.
he tail man took the still unconscious
hid in his arms and, directing the
porter with the baggage of the travel
ers. led the way TO the corner. She saw
him set his lips tightly as an old. glazed
leather bag. bursting at ths whitened
seams, was deposited at his feet; he
pushed 1t over on its side, that the star
ing white letters-"Jamcs Pine. Burton,
Vt."-might be hidden. AMI the little
James Pine sept on, with his face
against the broadcloth arm Of y tnan
who last wee sentenced has father
And the grandm other and wife slept IN
der the shadow of a Vermont hill, all
unknowing that their petted baby was
sdrift on such q troubled sea.