The Washington times., 1904-12-25
JOHN E. MILKIE
Chief of the Secret Service Tells
About Pathetic Incident of a
Bygone Christmas.

"One Christmas Eve several years ago
/ left Denver on the east-bound ex-
press. and among the other passengers
/ noticed rather deIicate-Iooking boy
travelling alone While not over twelve
years of age, he was quietly independ-
ent in manner. but his thin, winsome
face with big, dark eyes, attracted the
attention of some of the ladies in the
car, one Of whom discovered that he
was bound for Chicago where he was to
live with his aunt A little later when
he eonfided to one of them that he was
leaving both father and mother behind
him-rout there, as he expressed it.
pointing off toward the snowclad foot
hills-she understood how absolutely
alone he was.
When dinner was called he entered
the dining car with the other passen-
gers, took seat. and looked over the
bill of fare. After good deal of quiet
study he ordered a cup Of coffee and
some oyster crackers. The size of his
order-the fact that it was so small
resulted in a consultation between the
waiter and the conductor, in view of the
rule that no order or less than % cents
would DC accepted. but it was evident
from subsequent events that the matter
was satisfactorily adjusted without the
knowledge of the lonely little passen-
ger.
He paid his 15-cent check with the air
OF millionaire, and conhded to the
waiter who served him that he had
plenty of money to carry him through
the next day At the same time he
proudly exhibited a shining half dollar
An interested spectator of this little
incident was a travelling man, whose
somewhat disheyeled appearance sug-
gested that he might have been having
strenuous time in Denver. The next
n1orning-Christmas morning-promptl
OF the breakfast call. the young travel
ed went to the dining car. He duplicated
his. order of the previous evening. and
had started in on his coffee and crack
eTs when the blear-eyed drummer enter
ed and took seat opposite him 1t
seemed difficult for him to find any
thing on the bill of fare to suit his
taste. Finally looking stver at the little
chap. he said:
Say, Bub l wish yoIi would tell ne
something good TO eat
The little fellow Redeemed at being
thus suddenly addressed, and after a
few minutes of thought said:
Il don't know just wat TO tell you,
sir
Well" said the hungry travelling
man, what do you think about bacon
and eggs?'
The boy looked interested. Bacon and
eggs are pretty good, with the eggs
turned over and the bacon brown and
curled on the edges. Bacon and eggs
ought TO be fine he observed gravely.
We'll" said the travelling man, II
have a great deal OF confidence in your
judgment. ] think / viii have some
bacon and eggs. Then to the waiter:
Bring some bacon and eggs, Jim. See
that the eggs are turned over and nicely
Drowned, and the bacon crisp and curly.
L think. perhaps, some French fried
potatoes would go well with that. I
have not been able TO get up an appetite
for breakfast In three or four weeks.
What do you think of French fried po-
tatoes ?''--ffais to the boy
Il don't know what French fried po-
tatoes are said the boy. but there was
q kind of potatoes tina, mother used
To-" He ctoked a little, and his eyes
filed with tears, but he went bravely
on with queer, strained voice-''used TO
fx ali nice and brown.
The travelling man had looked hard at
the bill of fare. "All right, Jim to the
waiter--"briEg me an order OF French
frjed-better make it German fried. You
tell the cook how you want them, plenty
of brown crumbs" Again ne paused.
whats your opinion OF paneakes?" he
suddenly asked
The boys great eyes glistened. Gee,
pancakes are fine Mother-mother used
TO make fine ones, all brown. and with
maple syrup. My, but they were good.
1 should think you'd like them