River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-11-23

I5T7-5-->l--s= ialI 'SHARLlE LESLIE ,
R1l4Haa 5H6gFssANl father was a street
e4s..zs.ssasss car conductor .,' tor. But aat
fore Thanksgiving. he had bad attack
Of rheumatism, and was too i'll to
work.
What are we going to do, mother?
Charlie asked, in a troubled tone, when
everything possible had been done for
his father, and Jesse and Jamie, the
Two younger children, were quiet for
The night Its as much as we can do
to make both ends meet, anyway, and
now therell be no money coming in"
"Oh! we can manage that for little
while" his mother answered. 81
shouldn't worry bit if | could only
be sure your father wouldn't lose his
position"
Il never thought of that, exclaimed
Charlie, in dismay, suddenly remember
ing how very strict the company was
well, let us hope for the best" his
mother said, trying to speak cheer
fully.
But Charlie could not be content with
hoping; he wanted to be doing. He
thought of several ways in which he
could earn small sums of money, but to
get enough for the support of the fam
lily was another matter, and he pom
dered over it, and continued to ponder,
till long after he was abed. Just before
midnight he suddenly started up. why
didn't 1 think of that before?" he NUT
tered, and then stole softly downstairs
for the little alarm clock on the mantel.
In two minutes after he had wound it
and plaoo7 it on the chair near his pill
low, he was fast asleep.
When the alarm went off, five hours
later, Charlie sprang out of bed and
was half dressed before the whirring
ceased In the kitchen he found his
mother already up. She said that his
father had been in great pain all night,
and had not slept at all.
I'm going to take his place on the
car, if they'll let me" said Charlie.
Mrs. Leslie looked doubtful. I'm
afraid you are not old enough" she
said.
ut won't do any harm to try
ooh, mol"
Its vacation this week, too, and even
if l had to stay out of school a month
/ could easily catch up, by studying
hard
His mother said no more, but made
haste to prepare warm breakfast, and
put up lunch for him. When Charlie
was ready to start, he went in to see his
father a minute and tell him what he
intended doing. Can / wear Your cap
and take your watch?" he asked.
oh yes, if you want tot" groaned
Mr.. Leslie; but it will be of no use;
they don't want boys
Wen see" Charlie returned. with
attempted cheerfulEess. The morning
was cold and disagreeable, and Char
lie ran all the way to the car stables.
As he reached the place he saw a man
coming, and hurried toward him.
Are you Mr.. Rawlinson, the superin-
tendent?" he asked, breathlessly.
No; he is away for a day or two.
am taking his place. Can do anything
for you?"
Charlie stated his business in a f.
words.
Come into the Office and let me have
a look at YOU" said the man, unlocking
the door as he spoke. When h had
turned on the electric light he gave
Charlie keen glance.
'Well--I don't know he said, kindly
but hesitatingly. You are pretty
Young. Are you sure you could do it
all right?'
Il know / could" Charlie answered,
eagerly.
The man smiled Very we'll; try it
for one day, and wen see how you get
along"
oh, thank you, sir!" and Charlie,
who, seeing by the office clock that it
lacked only three minutes of six, made
dash for his car. MeElroy, the motor
man, was already at his post.
"Hullo. Charlie" he called. Thought
I'd see you. Father can't come, can
hep"
NO; I'm going instead"
you, Wen, L rather guess not, my
boy!"
But I've got permission from the
man who's taking the superintendent
place"
Well" he said. dryly, you We're in
luck not TO see Rawlinson himself.
He'd never let you sc"
Don't you think l can do it?''
Course you can, but he never'd think
So"
Then Charlie, who was standing on
the rear platform. by this time. with
watch in hand, graveIy rang the bell
twice; McEhoy with a grin obeyed the
signal and the car moved slowly out of
the stable.
Soon the car began TO FILL and then
Charlie was too busy to think much
about his own affairs. He had often
been with his father. and so lie knew
exactly what to do. With the exception
of a slight awkwardress at first in col
lecting the fares. he had no trouble,
and the day passed with no unpleasant
incident
1t was six o'clock when he set out for
home, but though tired and hungry his
courage was good lie had done his
work faithfully and McEIroy had
praised him The conductors and mo-
tormen on other cars. notwithstanding
their great surprise on first seeing him,
had also expressed their approval in
various ways, and he knew he had their
good viii.
In the morning Charlie went again
to see Mr.. Trask the man who was TAX
ing the place of the superintendent.
"I'm told that Mr.. Rawlinson has a