The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-04

us give them to that little boy back
therew So Johnnie, who did not suffer
from Indigestion. was given the nuts.
But a bag of peanuts IN the hands Of
a small boy will not last forever. The
day was long. the carscfeaked tiresomely.
and Johnnie heaved sigh. He gazed re-
proachfully at his mother, who had fallen
asleep in her comfortable corner, and he
began to think bitter thoughts. Old peo-
pie liked to go to sleep, and did not care
whether little boys were tired or not He
looked at the square toes of his little fat
shoes and wished he had them off. He
wished for Billy and his supper and his
father but above all for Billy.
The train stopped and a looking
man with his wife and a timid little boy.
entered the car. The man carried two
valises and the woman one. To dispose OF
all this baggage two seats just across the
aisle from Johnnie and his mother were
thrown together-a most interesting pro-
ceeding. The woman and child sat down.
but the man said, II will go in the
smoker" and Johnnie. though he did not
know what smoker was. wished he could
go in, too
The new boy wore very handsome
clothes. The two began to eye each other
as children will. in half aggressive. half
friendly fashion. Then, for the first time.
Johnnie noticed that the woman was cry
ing-not audibly, but softly and miserably,
wipiug away the great tears with her
handkerchief as fast as they flowed. His
soul was filled with wonder and he edged
to the end of the seat that he might see
the better.
The child, who was fragile little fell
low. had climbed up on his mothers knee.
Don't cry" he said patting her cheek
with his hand.
Johnnie moved out in the aisle and gaz
ed with his thumb in his mouth.
Darling" said the woman. with her
arms about her boy. mamma has to go
away, and you will go with papa. You
won't forget poor mamma will your"
Don't go away" pleaded the child, and
both cried with cheek pressed to cheek.
Just then the stern-looking men came
in. and Johnnie hurried back to his seat
The man frOwned when he saw the two
crying
while" he said and taking the child by
the hand, lie led him away.
The woman without word, leaned back
in her seat and buried her face in her
handkerchief. She scarcely moved but
Johnnie knew she was still crying. The
grief OF a grown person is always inter
esting to child. He looked at his moth
er, who was sleeping soundly. and then
very quietly he climbed down from the
seat and crossed the aisle. He gazed about
him fearfully. but his daring passed I'M
noticed so that when. a few moments
later. the Borrowing woman let her hands
fall into her lap she saw sitting opposite
her a strange little boy. whose round blue
eyes gazed solemnly into hers. little
fat hand. with nails and dimples badly
discolored by train dust, plucked nervous
ly for a moment at the cushion of his
seat Then he spoke:
Are you going away to leave your little
boy?" he asked. soberly.
She caught her breath and 2 sob rose in
her throat. Then the tears began to flow
again. and she hid her face.
Johnnie sighed. He found life very
dreary. In a spirit of desperation he
kneit upon the seat and pressed his nose
upon the pane. An old SOW. followed by
large and lively family of little pigs.
was hurrying across the meadow toward a
farmhouse.
"oh-h-h!" cried Johnnie. delightediy.
I've got little pig at home,'' Turning
he saw that he had succeeded In attract
ing the attention of the strange lady. my
papa amt ever going to sell it" he added
triumphantly.
She looked at him for a moment with an
expression almost like 4 smile trembling
about her lips. Johnnie felt greatly en-
couraged and sat down. His face sobered.
Won't your little boy DC lonesome?"
he asked.
The woman returned his gaze, the tears
still trembling on her long. black lashes.
A new look began to dawn in her brown
eyes. Soft tendrils of redgold hair hung
in sweet dishevelment about her brow,
and her linen collar was scarcely whittier
than the throat it encircled She seemed
very young-hGrdly more than girl.
The little figure opposite relaxed
Johnnies head fell back against the seat,
and with the mental agility OF child
his thoughts shifted, and he began to ex-
anime and to speculate about the little
Cupids that. entwined by garlands OF
flowers. adorned the ceiling above. The
train swayed monotonously from side to