The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-31

"Why what do you mean. Bodalong?"
We'll It wasn't like Mr. Charles never
to write TO You, now was it, Missy
No, BobaionS. 1t wasn't ana L can I
understand why he didn't
We'll maybe he did and maybe the
letters was lost
ia sooner think that than that he'd
never written.
was you. Can't DO no harm. anyway"
A few days later he came TO her with
a REQUEST.
You're not greatly needing me at pres
ent. Miss Nary" She was not. for in the
stress Of her bereavements-the sudden
desxh Of Gecff and the uncertainty re-
specting charles-she had no heart for
visiting beyond her pensioners. whom her
personal griefs allowed to suffer no lack.
II want 10 go to London continued
Bob.
''To london, Bobalong? To look for
Cha rles2'
Yes. missy It's in my mind that
might find him there
She felt very doubtful. knowing what a
vast warren London was. Bus she would
not show it. Amy chance contained a
james scath. he's a good lad. and
he'll keep things right in the stables ana
see to you as careful as | would my
Nobody could do that Bobalong; hut
Jim is "A good boy, and he can do all /
want"
And I'll come back every now and then
to see things are going all right ! can /
sit still thinking OF Mr. Charles. missy,
and that's fact.
So Bob went to London ana made the
acquaintance of many bus and cab
horses. and incidentally of their drivers
and the drivers keeperS-the gentlemen
in blue. And as the months passed and
there was no fruit for all his labors he
began to grow doubtful. hut would not
show Ii: and Mary began to grow doubt
full, too, but would not for the world
have let Bob imagine il. And so these
two. with scarce hope between them.
still wore the semblance of II, each for
the benefit IF the other. and at times sue
ceeded in deceiving one another. and al
most in deceiving themselves. into the
belief that there was still room FOR hope.
1t would have been much to be de-
plored IL so faithful an eDdeayor and 50
steadfast a hone had had to go unre-
warded.
Charles had been put on suburban
cross-country route 10 begin with. and
was steadily, and with an extremely
cheerful heart diving his bus between
Acton and Hanwell. while little Bob
Long was vainly lying in wait for him
at Piccadilly Circus, and Ludgate Hin.
and the Bank, and so. in the nature of
things. they did not meet
Charles had taken lodgings out at Han
well. and little Charles found no lack of
fresh air and outdoor amusements. of
very juvenile character. of course, right
along into the winter. The Old woman i'm
whose house they lived had taken to him
nightly and watched over him with
gran1mdtherly care. And Charles Closer
est. with the great house lying all asleep
for want of its master. and many warm
hearts aching to get word OF him. found
himself more than content-having no
disturbing knowledge of these thiugs-in
the fact that he was earning his living
and paying his way, and tina, his boy was
growing up strong and sturdy. and daily
increasing in favor with man and thu.
goddesses who ride on the tops Of buses.
lnf IA
the drivers on the main route from Ham
mersmth to Liverpool Street fell sick OF
rheumatics. and his bus was given ten
tativeIy to Sannox TO see how he would
manage the obstacle race TO the city.
He got along first rate the first two
days. il was ON the third day. the after
noon OF Christmas Eve. that he ran into
a van at the corner of Old Bailey and
took the hind wheel off as clean Us Il
whistle; but Charles always maintains
that the fault was in no wise his, and di-
Iides the honors between Bob Long and
the van driver, with a bias in favor of
Bob Long.
For that day Charles had taken his boy
along with him special Christmas
treat. and little Charlie, well wrapped w
III The front garden seat at his fathers
right hand surveyed the busting crowds
aud tbs sparkling shops with eyes
stretched TO the fullest. and came to the
conclusion that London was a very great
ard wonderful place. and that the boy
who could see 1t ali in this commanding
fashion from the top OF his fathers bus
was a fortunate boy indeed
il WAS n fine, clear day. with Il feeble
attempt al smile from th. sun and a
suspicion of frost i'm the air and little
Charities nose and checks were red with
II. and those wide eyes of his tvinkled
like stars on a frosty night. 1t had been
ah adventurous time. 4 new and Of
feusii ely offcious checker had Just held
up the liasse ngcFs and demanded their
ticlttS OF their lives. and finding Charlie
without one had insisted ON his having
his fare. which his father iaushinglv lid
for him and Charlie informed the check
or that he was plug" which was eX-
tremely rude of him, since the young man