The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-03-17
.JAcKIN'S EXAMINATION.
BY s. Edgar Benet.

a travelling show-including perform
ing dogs, bear, and three monkeys
with an Unsuitable appetite for pea
nuts-charmed them into forgetfulness
of the flight of time and charmed the
last penny from their pockets before
the consequence of broken rules sug-
gested itself.
A 'man"-young gentlemen of IS or
16 years are always ''men"-might
count upon notice from DR.. Shoreditch.
Who broke, paid. Monkeys would be
no excuse for missing the six o'clock
train.
They clenched their fists, brought
their elbows close to their sides and
started OH run down the street.
"Clear the track!" shouted little Tup-
per, well in the rear.
The trio were the best of friends,
with little Topper connecting link in
the fellowship. Marvin, the honor man,
overlooking his Latin. Gregory, the
biggest and dullest. announced public
ly that if any fellow bullied Topper he'd
setter the matter personally.
Upper, out of breath, found his
friends in a retired corner of the sta
ton, turning their pockets inside out.
He followed their example, and when
they said: mot Nickel" he said: "Not
q cent"
'Perhaps the president of the road
would make all ADVANCE" began Mar
vim.
But Gregory silenced him. "The train
leaves in seven minutes" he said.
Upper, who had read more story
books than he could count, racked his
brain to discover what his favorite hero
did in dire extremity. He knew the
first of "Oliver Twist" and ''Kid-
mapped" and "David Copperfeld," and
recalling one of David's emergencies,
he concluded that circumstances war
ranted a like sacrifice. He took off his
coat and held it out to Marvin.
IF we could only find an old man,
maybe he'd give us a dollar and half
for this, and then we could all go
back"
''You get into that coat" command
ed Gregory. "Who'd give dollar for
bit of a thing like that? Besides,
haven't you just had the measles, you
baby, you?"
Gregory was cross, but when Marvin,
who was much dismayed, and wouldn't
show it, put his hands in his pockets
and said: "We've got to make the best
oft. 1t was our own fault and there's no
use whining" Gregory and Upper did
likewise and followed down the plat
form as jauntily as possible to where
Jackins' engine stood in; the sun.
Everybody called him Jackins with
out the least disrespect-even his wife,
all the children around his house and
DR.. Shoreditch's boys, with whom he
was in special favor. If they said "Mr.
Jackins,'' he looked grave. and he was
sensitive as to his given name, which
was Gamaliel.
Jackins sat at the window with
grimy hand at the throttle. He was
almost ready to start. ''Hello!" he
called.
Marvin and Gregory replied with
more vivacity than the occasion de-
manded: Hello, Jackins. Glad to see
you"
Tupper's eyes grew larger and graver
as people hurried to the coaches and
porters wheeled trucks of luggage to
the baggage car.
'Been on a lark, reckon" Jackins
drawled, in his slow, down south &C.
cent. IF you'd come down here four
minutes later you'd found the train
gone and then what would you have
done? Better get yo' Places He
moved his hand, and the muf1ed steam
seemed to ask Indignantly: "What, in
deed:'
They called up such unpleasant pros
poets that the three strolled farther
away. Upper, who never failed of
suggestion, said: maybe Jackins
would help us. Let's ask him."
Marvin slapped him on the back.
''That's so. He might. I'd ask him,
but you see" he frowned darkly and
drew himself up, ''it don't look just
the thing"
"For senior" interrupted Upper,
"no."
He thought how embarrassing it
would be for him, if he were senior,
and as tall as Marvin, to confess to
Jackins that he had spent his car-fare
in peanuts for four monkeys. It was
not suitable. Then, too, he remem-
bered Marvin had pulled him through
all sorts of hard places in his Latin
grammar.
Topper looked at Gregory. Gregory
grew red.
'Jackins always thought heap of
you, Topper" said Gregory.
Topper remembered how much Greg
DRY had saved him last year when he
was very little chap indeed.
'I'll ask him." he said, "only you
fellows don't go very far away. Stay
here behind this corner"
When Upper got around to the en-
CINE, Jackins was putting on more coal.
Presently he thrust his head out of the
window and began to wipe tie perspira-
ton from his forehead and sing "Dixie.' -
what, amt you gone aboard yet?
You'll be left. Where's yo' cronies p
whats that?" asked Topper.
1.-THE other two"
"They're around"
"Only two minutes more"
Upper went close to the side of the
engine and whispered: "Jackins."
"Well?" Jackins whispered back.
"Lean your head way down, will
you" &S.-..y ~, ~. nv
Jackins leaned far over the side.
Topper put hand to each side of his
mouth and asked: SLOW can fellows
who haven't any tickets go home on the
train?" $3.50.
THAT'S easy. They just pay when
the conductor comes around"