Amador ledger., 1904-10-14
ROBINSON'S
CHANGE
By A. M. DAVIES
OGDEN
Copyright, 1901, bp T. C. Mcclure

E..*t+s.s.+t ~ 81
"All aboardr' shouted the conductor
warningly. The bishop, with a final
hand pressure, turned to the car steps.
'NOw, don't forget" he said earnest
ly. 81 am not desirous of seeming to
preach" his kindly smile flashing out
for second, "but if the opportunity
comes give fellow creature chance.
The way TO make people trustworthy
is to trust them," he added impressive
ly. The listener nodded Clad as he
was in rough corduroy trousers thrust
into long boots, blue flannel shirt and
handkerchief knotted loosely about the
powerful throat he looked a man to in
fiuence others, and the bishop, no
mean reader of men, was satisfied
81 wish that 1 could have remained
a bit longer" he thought regretfully as
he settled himself comfortably in the
wide seat. -Four days is really too
short for parochial visit"
The man left behind heartily echoed
the bishops sentiments. 1t had been
like a breath out of another world, this
few days intercourse with lofty and
cultivated personality. Under his own
calm blue eyes lay an ardent and en-
thusiastic nature, which had as yet
found but little to develop it. The
bishops inspiring talk had awakened
an instant response that now made it.
self felt as an unsatisfied want. His
fnllnyund fhn ftadn 90
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
the morning, with vague distaste for
it all.
thing BETTER" he reflected, turning
slowly away. "Give some fellow crea-
ture chance, hey? Well, there's plen-
ty out here needs it. Dare say 1 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 its 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 a
man slouching lazily along, his face
frightened.
THAT pesky tramp has been hanging
about for week asking for work" he
thought. Suppose 1 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
"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 l come" his invention giving out.
The man only stared, and Robinson's
wrath overt1owed.
Don't stand gaping there like q
blasted idiot" he roared. Get along
with you and double quick too. See
you have things we'll cleaned up by the
time 1 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 a
relieved sigh Robinson crossed to the
nearest saloon.
ITS on me, boys" he remarked
cheerfully. "Whatll you haveY'
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, a thing unprec-
edented, and on the hearth lay the
last embers of q fire. Recollection
came swiftly, and with hurried fingers
he lighted a 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 a pair Of
rusty high lows, and at that sight Rob-
inson's rage found words. In fluent and
picturesque English he cursed emphat-
tcally 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 q
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 a minute. In the next he
had started down the hill on dog
trot, 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-
edly as they thrust out feet drawn
from beneath straw or sacking What
new game was this? Robinson, heed
less of question or criticism, after q
quick flash of the lantern, hurried to
the next car, leaving a wake of dis.
gusted chaff.
Through four cars plodded Robinson,
and then, in the fifth, he received a
shock. From the darkness came a
voice unmistakably declining to show
the rnn1lired foot RnhinSnn,S rnir.a