The Press., 1904-09-21
Copyright. 1901. Ly T. C. Mcclure

an instant response that now made It.
self felt as an unsatisfied want His
eyes followed the train like those of a
hungry dog, then drifted back to the
primitive station, the long, straight
line OF tracks and the siding where a
row Of freight cars stood waiting for
tie morning, with vague distaste for
1t ALL
makes q fellow sorter want some
thing BETTER" he reflected, turning
slowly away. "Give some fellow crea-
ture chance, hey? Well, there's plen-
U out here needs it. Dare say l do
myself"
With a grim chuckle he strobe ON
down the narrow cabin lined street,
where the afternoon sun was now
fiinging long shadows across it's ugli-
ness. Men in groups hung about the
doors Of rival saloons. Several hailed
him, but Robinson only shook his head
absently. Then, as his eyes fell on
man slouching lazily along, his face
frightened.
THAT pesky tramp has been hanging
about for week asking for work." he
thought. Suppose l try him. Here,
you." he called aloud. The man, star
tied, came forward suspiciously, his
eye on Robinson's hip pocket. The lat
ter frowned. ...... e~
"Here, wake up," he growled. "You
say you want work. Go up to my cab
in then, fix it up and then-then wait
till come" his invention giving out
The man only stared, and Robinson's
wrath overfiowed.
"Don't stand gaping there like q
blasted idiot" he roared. "Get along
you have things well cleaned up by the
time get there, or I'll make it hot for
you. Here's the key"
Robinson's methods were convincing,
and the man after one glance to assure
himself of the speakers sincerity
turned and departed in haste. With
relieved sigh Robinson crossed to the
nearest saloon.
"It's on me, boys" he remarked
cheerfully. "What'll you have"
When finally Robinson mounted the
hill to his cabin night had fallen, and
the memory of the tramp had entirely
escaped him. To his astonishment the
cabin door stood open, thing unprec-
edented, and on the hearth lay the
last embers Of a fire. Recollection
came swiftly, and with hurried fingers
he lighted candle to gaze about the
tidied room. Everything seemed in Or
der. But the man was gone. and. with
an exclamation, Robinson darted to
the cupboard, where were kept his
dearest possessions. Those new boots!
One glance sufficed : the boots were
gone. In their place stood q pair Of
rusty high lows, and at that sight Rob
inson's rage found words. In fluent and
picturesque English he cursed emphat-
ically and categorically himself, his be-
longings, the tramp and all belonging
to him. He even began on the bishop,
but checked that. The bishops theory
might be good.
"But out here it's burned poor prac-
tice," thought Robinson ruefully
where can the skunk have gone? He
must have 'em on
There was practically only one way
out of the town-the railroad-and a
sudden remembrance of the waiting
freight cars flashed across Robinson's
mind. To seize the lantern, light it
and lock the door behind him was but
the work of minute. In the next he
had started down the hill on dog
tr0t, the expression of his mouth bod
ing Ill for the tramp were he careless
enough to be caught.
Into the dark. dirty car, where lay q
few tattered relics, turned out now and
then by irate conductor or busy freight
hand. but always slipping back, came
Robinson with determined mien, Ian
tern in one hand. pistol in the other.
Hold up your feet,' he said sharply.
The men reused, dazed and protesting
from heavy slumbers, stared bewilder-
eddy as they thrust out feet drawn
from beneath strawror sacking What
new game was this? Robinson, heed
less of question or criticism, after
quick fash of the lantern, hurried to
the next car leaving q wake of dis
gusted chaff.
Through four cars plodded Robinson,
and then. in the fifth, he received a
shock. From the darkness came q
voice Enthusiastically declining to show
the required foot Robinson's voice
softened cminously.
II think you had better" he began
gently; otherwise shall have to make
you"
"Oh, please" the voice was almost
wall, 'let me alone. / haven't done
you any harm. Go away"
- go away" repeated Robinson, fair
" stunned. go away. And my
bOOts''-
"YOur boots! don't know anything
about your boots; indeed l don't.
Pleasep'
"Feet up now" interrupted Robinson
CURLY. Here, let me see yOu," slip
ping the lantern closer. A tall, slender
boy in ragged clothing was revealed,
gazing up with white face and implor-
ing eyes. No one else was in the car,
and for a second Robinson hesitated.
"But you may be pal" he decided.
'Put 'em up at once. Lord, what
fuss about nothingv' as pair of small,
travel stained boots made reluctant
appearance. You needn't worry about
those. They look more like womaRs
feet" with short laugh. The sound
OF smothered sob reached his ear,
and Robinson. starting, bent lower. "a
woman! Doggoned IL it amt a wom-
anv' he uttered slowly. Say. what
are you doing here?' with a complete
change OF tone The Snhr doano,,ad