The Lamar register., 1902-04-09
rhey we're all laughing and chatter

ment OF good spirits. Poor Old S.ouch
felt very much downcast as he followed
them through the gate. He thought OF
Stimulating a sudden illness. but he did
not want to frighten Tilly, and then
that scamp of Tim waA sticking so
persistently to her side!
So he ratified his 27 cents bravely In
his pocket and clambered doggedly
aboard the train. He even squandered
two precious nickels in the purchase
of peanuts, for, thought he, '27 cents
are no more use to me than :. Let me
therefore cultivate . reputation for
liberality."
While the rest were chatting with all
the enthusiasm of care-free youth Old
Slouch sat miserably trying to figure
out some plan of campaign. 1fWicked
Bill had been in his shoes Old SLOUGH
could have saved him without turning
o hair. "At this critical juncture,"
he would have written, "Bill anIiously
thrust his hand into the pocket of his
coat. His index finger discovered q
hole in the lining, and at the bottom
of the aperture, he felt something Hat
and hard. Breathlessly our hero drew
1t forth. 1t was q twenty-dolAr gold
piecel"
But fertile as Old SLouch Yves in re-
sources for the relief of suffering ban
dts and imprisoned and impoverished
heroes, he was absolutely barren of
vention in his own behalf. So dis
turbed was he that when the bright
eyed Tilly turned from the attentive
Tim and called to him across the aisle
he answered her 80 absent-mindedly
that she was piqued and turned again
to Tim before he could repair his error.
"Tickets!" said the conductor,
sharply. The dreaded summons had
come and found him still unprepared.
Old SLOUGH began to tumble through
his pockets. Everybody else had the
necessary pasteboards. but O.d SLOUGH
still fumblsd, getting redder and red
der every moment. The conductor
looked at him with increa sing stern
ness.
"I-er-I'm afraid" murmured Old
SLOUGH, family, when his search had
obviously become . farce. -rm afraid
I've lost my ticket"
Didn't you drop It on the aoor"'
suggested jake. All hAnds sc1utin-
lied the floor.
"well, WE'LL" said the conductor. i'm
patiently. you'll havs 70 pay your
fare then"
ITO be sure" said Old Slouch, mis-
erably, and he felt for his II cents.
"Weu, declare" he exclaimed in we'll
simulated amazement. II haven't any
money"
"What!" roared Tim. Had Old SLOUGH
been himself he would have detected
something very like CONSERVATION IN
his friends tone. As it was, he saw
only ridicule and he took . fatal step.
"ThAt is 70 say" he went on. pull
ing himself together. nothing but Q
$50 BILL"
"Ohi" said Tim, plainly relieved.
"Thnt's all right" said the friendly
Jake. "I'll pay 1t. Here you are"
And he gave the conductor 40 cents.
Tim rose and sauntered up the ask.
"Come and have . smoker" he satd
to Old SLOUGH. The latter responded
with elacrity. Here was his opportun-
fty at last. But as the door of the
"Say, old man. you nearly scared me
into q At. I had only enough to buy
my ticket one way. but came along
because knew could borrow q dol
lar or two from you"
Old Slouch collapsed. II near fell
on the floor" his tormentor won't on.
"when you said you didn't have any
coin, but when you mentioned the
fifty, why, I knew it was all right"
"But it ain't," Old SLOUGH rephs1,
weakly.
MOP" reared the other.
mot a cent" said Old Slouoh, huskd-
ly. 81 was going to borrow from you."
"Well," said Tim, when he had par
TALLY recovered from the blow. you'll
have to touch Jake"
Rather not" said Old 6lonsh. short
ly. "You do It,"
Rather not myself" Hers the two
looked in opposite directions.
zone of US has got TO-" aid Tim at
last.
Match you for H." from ths Dr.
ttnguished author. 30 Ny matched
and Old Slouch lost.
It spoiled his day. Tilly wAs dis-
posed to be nice 10 him, but he was
20 taciturn, thinking all the while Of
the unpleasant task that awaited him.
that she turned In despair to Tim,
who had never been in better spirits
in his life. It was . beautiful moon
light night and they planned 70 re-
turn TO the dock in time to catch the
last train for town. which left at ten
o'clock.
They were about . mile from shore
when the wind died out. They dxdfted
idly for half an hour. Jake looked at
his watch.
We'll miss the train and have 20
stay all night at q hotel, II there -
one in the place" Horrible visions OF
hotel bills crossed Old Slouch's mind.