The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1898-11-15
IA Dim6-NOV6I Hero.
BY FANNIE WILLIAMS.
rT was one o'clock in the morning,

vT was one O'Clock IN the morning,
very chilly for May, and damp mist
was gathering in the air.
Policeman Packard, as he paced his
beat near the freight depot, pulled his
coat collar up around his neck with a
shivcr, and mentally observed that II
was likely to rain before daylight.
just then. coming around the corner
of the building. lis practiced eye dis
ccrned, through the mist and darkness,
the figure q u bog who was apparently
trying TO force open the sliding door of
freight car.
The officer approached and laid n
hand upon his shoulder, whcreat the
boy started. with cry of terror, and
attempted to escape. But the officer
held him and demanded:
"lVhat are you doing here, boy?"
Nothing" faltcrcd the lad in
frightened voice.
Nothing" repeated the policeman,
looking him over and comprehending
his case at glance. you're fooling
around these ears at one o'clock in the
morning for nothing, are you?"
IL wanted to get in some place
where | could sleep and-and keep
warm" stammcred the youthful cap
tive.
"Why don't you go home and Sleep"
asked the officer.
II haven't any home" replied the boy,
hanging his head and blushing guilty
as he added: Not now, l mean"
"Ah!" said the officer, dryly. flows
that?"
The boy hesitated and shifted his
feet uneasily. az If he would have tried
to break away from the officers hold
If he had dared.
He was about II years old, neatly
dressed, and wore one of the military
caps which had Just come into favor
with the boys. His face had look OF
innocence and youthful candor. which
did not help him greatly in his en-.
deavor to inyenta plausible explanation
of his midnight wapdcrings.
Finally he said: n
I'm an orphan, sir. lived with my
relations out in tho country; but they
they got tired of me and told me to
leave. and-and so I came to the city
l Thought might get chance to go out
west"
And you were going TO steal ride ir
the freight carr" said the officer, will
"a grim smile. 81 thought so. VIVA
on earth do you expect to do out west
if you ever get there?"
The lad looked sull<y, and made M
answer. He had probably been laugh
by experience that he need not look t.
his elders for sympathy with his heroi,
dreams of adventure in the great west
when did you leave home" inquired
the officer.
Yesterday" was the brief reply.
The policeman asked few more ques
tions, but, finding the boy not inclined
to be very communicative, he took hin
10 the station, and handed him over Il
the lieutenant in charge.
The young adyenturer WAS dismaye,
TO find himself inside police station
for the first time in his life; but tn
lieutenant spoke TO him kindly, saying
You will be comfortable enough
here for the night, my lad, and in th
morning we viii see what we can do 70
you. What is your nance"
George Burton sir"
where do you belong?"
The boy, in Il confused and hesitatin
manner, replied by giving the name o
country place some 40 miles away
The experienced officer suspected tina
he was not telling the truth, but, keeT
ing this opinion to himself, remarked
you don't look as il you had cate
any supper, George"
81 haven't" said George, with n wis
full sigh; NOR any dinner either"
"Well, I'll sec if ] can't find you sorn'
thing to eat said the lieutenant,
kindly man. with boys of his own.
He was successful in finding "A sui
stantial lunch, which the hungry youn
wanderer deyoured with avidity. Whe
he had satisfied his appetite, the lie'
tenant said to him: