The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-01-09


ed upon them. Nearer, on either hand
the great California desert, its yellow
sands and alkali flats giving back th'
intense heat of the summer day IL
radiant pulsations. No animals, III
birds, no life anywhere, save for th'
little gray lizards that bask in the SUI
and lazily blink their beadlike eyes II
such dreamy reflection as lizarc
knows.
Across the valley OF desolation the
double iron line Of the railroad
stretches southwark and eastward, and
ill-betide the man who Journeys there
on a summer day. Through the closed
doors and windows, the almost impon
derable alkali dust penetrates and
stiles him, and the passengers gasp IN
the heat that cannot be excluded.
Stand at the little station, with Its
huge water tank. its tiny agents
shanty, and two or three scrubby trees
breaking the deadly mOnotony OF the
desert, and look northward along the
track. At first you shall see nothing
except that double line bisectiDg It's
kingdom OF loneliness. but ms you con-
tinue to gaze, tiny, tolling spec VIII
gradually reveal itself to you; a spec
that sometimes pasues as IL II might
toll no further. and then again ad.
vances very slowly toward the point
where you stand.
That toiling spec is man, and the
man once was known as william
Graves. II has been years since he
has responded TO that name. and II
you were TO call him by IT now II Ia
doubtful If he would for moment
recognize that he was addressed, but
such was the name that was recorded
In the register OF the little church
where he was christened long before
he met the world and was crushed by
81.
The man, dust-stained and perspir-
ing, with the blood running like fire in
his veins, toiled slowly onward until he
came to place where the track
crossed n small gully that had been
worn by the infrequent rains Of win
ter. There he paused and looked, first
toward the station, now scarcely n
last he shook his head and muttered
TO himself
"If / go in now l probly won't get
anythin' to eat, an the agent'll be
sure to spot me If try TO get out to-
night. Better wait till evenin'. There's
some shade in the gully, anyhow
In the shade OH the side of the ravlne
al,
took drink of hot water from the
battered canteen he carried mt his
side. and then laid himself at length
on the ground, the tattcrcd coat he had
carried on his arm serving for n pill
low. For long time he lay there as
immovable as If he had been carved
of stone. So motioDless was he that
the lizard. frightened by his coming
hal scurried across the gully, gradu-
ally drew nearer to investigate the
strange intruder. Scared by his own
temerity, the little reptile occasionally
whisked away again, but as the in.
vader still lay immovablc. he drew
nearer and nearer after each retreat.
until he reached point where he
could investigate the poorly shod foot
extended toward him. He was thus
satisfying his rcptilian curiosity when
the man for the first time spoke.
"Nothn' to he 'fraid of in me-" he
said: we're partners in misery, |
judge, but if you'll give me a pointer
on how you get square meal out here
on the desert I'll he 'bliced TO you"
A childish shout followed close on the
remark, and at the unexpected sound
the lizard skurried away to a distance
he considered safe, while the man
started TO a sitting posture
"Sec him run" said the voice.
On tke sand, at two or three rods
distance, stood boy, n trimly-built
and daintily-clad little fellow. at whom
the man gazed in amazement before
he found voice to say:
"Weuw
"Well!' There was no suggestion
OF fear in the response.
Don't you think you're a long way
from home?"
"Yes. I'm dscoverin', like Robinson
Crusoe."
A recollection Of the tale of childhood
beat through the world-confused brain
OF the man, and he continued the child.
ish conceit.
"And you've found Friday haven't
your
Are you Friday?"
81 guess you might rs well call me
So"
"All right. an I'm Robinson Crusoc
Only, that isn't my real name; my real
names Arthur Henry Fulman, an I'm
riding in the car with my pa"
"Who is your pa. Robinson Crusoe?"
Hes the Central Man'ger, an we
had TO stop here till tonight. Come on,
now, let's go an find the goats"
you forget about my condition, Rob.
inson."
whats the matter with it?'
well, Of course. you remember that
when l got away from the savages
had no food, an so I've been starvin'
for pretty near two days"
That's so. I'm sorry that / forgot
about it, Friday. l guess Ill have TO
get you some food before we find the
goats"
How will you get it?'
Easy 'nough. I'll 90 TO the cook IN
The car and tell him l want something
20 eat, and he'll give Ii to me. lie al.
ways does"
But you'll tell him you want 1t for
FridayT
UOf coureo'