The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-11-17
TWO TAGS A-JOURNEYING.


and roaring of steam ana wheels and
the army of tired passengers hurriedly
debarked and FASTENED for the gates,
one of the train porters whistled and
called to a uniformed attendant who
was waiting to carry handbags to the
waiting rooms.
"Oh, Bill" called the porter, "here's
q couple of tags Gimme a hand"
Down the steep steps Of the car he
helped a tiny boy of six years and turn
ed him over to the attendant while he
reached up again for little girl about
two years older. They were plainly
but neatly dressed, and from the lads
coat and the little girls dress depend
ed upon the breast Of each common
shipping tag, which twirled and flut-
tered in the breeze, The attendant turn
ed it over to read the directions.
Davenport via Rock Island" he re-
peated. "All right, Tom. Is the trans
portation all right?'
Fine and daisy" said the porter.
Through from New York. Have to
stake them to the bus fare, though, /
guess"
"Tu fix that with O'Brien," volun-
teered the attendant He'll haul 'em
over to the Rock Island all right"
All this time the two children had
been standing, patiently waiting to see
what would be done next with them
gazing round Wonderingly at the big
train shed, the hurrying crowds and the
painting engines. Taking a hand Of
each the attendant led them toward the
waiting rooms and they trotted along
as confdingly as though they had
known him all their brief lives.
you come right along with me-" said
the railroad man in a soothing way,
"and We'll see about getting something
to eat. Are you hungry?"
Eyes. sir" piped both children.
well well, Wen have to fix that up"
| went on the man in the blue uniform.
| Come right along in here" and he
turned toward the lunch room.
We've got another dollar yet" said
the girl in motherly way, taking out
an old purse from her dress pocket. Be-
sides the long, folded blue tickets was a
paper dollar. se
"Never Won mind about that dollar"
said their guide. you'll probably need
that before YOU get to Davenport"
The little bow had not said a word
He was evidently either in daze over
the whole affair or supremely confident
that everything was all right In the
lunch room half dozen trainmen were
stirring their coffee and a number of
passengers were snatchine bite to eat
"What YOU got, Bill?" asked a brake
man. "Those your family?"
mo; a couple of kids going to Daven-
port on tags!" said Bill Bright
looking youngsters, ain't they?"
They were helped up on the stools,
and while a waitress set forth a lot of
things to eat one of the passengers,
white-haired old gentleman, with his
wife hanging on his arm, was attracted
by the odd-looking tags.
"NNhat are these for?" he asked the
train attendant.
ooh. these children are being sent
from New York to Davenport, and the
folks down east tagged 'em SO they
wouldn't get lost" explained the rail
road man,
"Do Won mean that these babies are
travelling alone?" demanded the old
man
ooh ves IFS quite common" said
Riu 1--WE get 'em every month or So"
"Poor little dearsl" exclaimed the
motherlv old woman. watching the big,
round ewes with which the boy observed
the preparations for breakfast.
"Where are their parents?" asked the
old gentleman.
Dead 7 guess" yentured the train
man. "Anyhow. they're being shipped
from an orphan asylum in New York
to a farmer in Iowa who adopted EN-
THEY'LL be all right" he added as he
saw the look of concern on the faces of
the old couple. "The boys will take
care of 'em all along the line. You
see. most of the bows have got kids of
their own and they're in such a bust
ness thar thew never can tell what'n
banpen 10 ,em or when it's going to
strike 60 thew have a soft heart for
ornhans and thew keep an eve out for
,em."
Rv this time the children were diving
into the breakfast with a will and O
thought was suggested to the old gen
tIen,an who seemed to be quite worked
M over the situation.
at OF mo nav for this check" he sllg-
eested uniting his hand in his pocket.
ooh THAT'S all right" said the attend |
ant. This is on me. II doesn't happen
foo often Won know. and can stand it |
onoe in while ,cause I've got kids of
INV own I'll Ax zen, IN for the 'bus ride |