The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-28
TAGGED FOR LONG TRIPS
Children Shipped on Railroads as
Merchandise.
Their HclpIcssncss Key to the
Hearts of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Sent
to Adopted Parents secure of a
Safe DeliverY-Thcy Receive More
Attention Than Adult Passengers.

When the long through train pulled int
the union station with kissing and roar
ing Of steam and wheels and the army o
tired passengers hurriedly debarked aHt
FASTENED for the gates one OF the trair
porters whistled and called to a uniformed
attendant who was waiting TO carry hand
bags to the waiting rooms
oh BILL called the porter, here's 2;
couple of tags. Gimme hand"
Down the steep steps of the car ht
helped tiny boy of six years and turned
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 depended upon the breas,
of each a common shipping tag. which
twirled and fiuttered in the breeze. The
attendant turned it over to read the direc-
tions.
Davenport via Rock Island" he repeat
ed. "All right, Tom. Is the transporta-
ton all right?"
Fine and daisy" said the porter
Through from New York. Have to stake
them to the bus fare though. / guess"
''I'll fix that with o'Brien,' volunteer e
the attendant. Hell haul 'em over to
the Rock Island all right"
All this time the two children had bsea
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 at
tendant led them toward the waiting
rooms and they trotted along as confid-
ingiy as though they had known him all
their brief lives.
'Ycu come right along with me-" said
the railroad man in soothing way, and
We'll see about getting something to eat.
Arc you hungry"
Yes. SIR" piped both children.
We'll we'll, well have to fix that up"
went on the man in the blue uniform.
Come right along in here" and he
turned toward the lunchrcof1.
We've got another dollar yet said
the girl in a motherly way, taking out an
old purse from her dress pocket Besides
the long, folded blue tickets was a paper
dollar
Never you mind about that dollar"
said their guide. You'll probably med
that before you get TO Davenport
The little boy had not said a word. He
was evidently either in daEe over the
whole affair or supremacy confident that
everything was all right. In the lunchroom
half dozen trainmen were stirring their
coffee and a number of passengers were
bite TO eat.
What you got. Bill?" asked a brake
man. Those your family"
NO; a couple of kids going to Daven-
port on tags" said Bill. "Bright-looking
youngsters, amt they?"
= They were helped up on the stools. and
while a waitress set forth a lot OF things
to eat one OF the passengers, a white
haired old gentleman, with his wife hang
Ing on his arm, was attracted by the odd
looking tags.
What are these for?' he asked the
train attendant
''oh, these children are being sent from
New York to Davenport. and the folks
down East tagged EN- SO they wouldn't get
lost" explained the railroad man.
do you mean that these babies are
alone?" demanded the old man
''Oh, yes. It's quite common" said Bill.
I'VE get en- every month or So"
Poor little dears!'' exclaimed the moth
eyes with which the boy observed the
preparations for breakfast.
Where are their parents?" asked the
Did gentleman
Dead. / guess" yentured the trainman
Anyhow, they're being shipped from an
orphan asylum In New York to a farmer
In Iowa who adopted 'em. 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
he line You see most of the boys have
got kids OF their own, and they're In such
\ business that they never can tell what'll
happen to 'em or when it's going TO strike.
10 they have soft heart for orphans, and |
hey keep an eye out for EN-"
By this time the children were diving |
INTO the breakfast with d Will, and a |
thought was suggested to the old gentle |
nan. who seemed to be quite worked up |
,ver the situation.
Let me pay for this check" he sug-
rested, putting his hand in his pocket
''Oh that's all right" said the attend
mt; this is on me. 1t doesn't happen too
,ften, you know. and can stand 1t once
n while. cause I've got kids of my own.
I'll fix 'em IN for the bus ride to the |
,ther depot, too
The old man and his wife looked at each
,ther and she nodded brightly TO him. al
hough her eyes were shining with tears
We'll, give them this anyhow" said the
I'D man, slipping dollar into Bits hand;
they may need it some place.
Sure l will" said the attendant, and the
I'D couple hurried away to catch train,
Ifter giving one last look at the little ones
'olemnly munching their toast.
When the meal was ended the little
mes were taken into the ladies' waiting
DOM and turned over to the matron. an
ther motherly woman, who was used TO
aking care of little ones travelling with
tags" They were introduced to the
vashrocm and fixed up a bit after their