Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-06-16
A Father S Stratagem.

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the seat before him.
There was something odd about the
mans appearance which attracted our
attention His clothing was clean,
but very shabby. The old felt hat,
pulled down over bis ears, could not
wholly hide the closely cropped hair
beneath. His cleanly shaved face was
colorless from illness or from confne-
ment.
Some of us thought we recognized
that shuttle when he walked as being
tae step of the Chain gang" but the
children, though quite as poorly clad,
were bOisterously' happy over their
prospective journey.
The boy was about six years old, the
girl not more than four.
"You can't remember it, Betty,
the boy kept repeating to his little sis
ter. 1--WE used to ride lots in the
train with Dad; didn't we, Dad?"
And the man face would break in
to a solemn smile as be nodded bis re-
ply.
And. oh, we had such good times, -
prattled on the youngster. You
know, Betty, there's boy that comes
through the car and brings all sorts of
nice things and Dad always buys EN- /;
don't you, dad? Oh, there'll be can
dy and popcorn, orwanges, lots of
other things more'n can member.
Thus the youngster ratified on while
Betty fairly jumped up and down on
the seat with delight.
Finally the conductor came through.
The man started up hastily when he
heard the door bang, but sank back
relieved when be saw the brass. but
toned official.
A few moments later the door of the
rear car banged again, and we knew
that the bane Of the traveller, the pop
corn boy, was approaching.
The man hastily rose, whispering to
the children to remain quietly jwt
where they were, and came hurriedly
up the aisle. He was not bad look
ing man, but his face was weak, and
his eyes did not look at one squarely.
He reached the head of the car just as
the popcorn boy entered in his Gus
tomary nerve-racking manner.
Say" the man stopped before the
youth, holding on by seat back to
steady himself. Say" he repeated,
81 want to ask favor ofyou, mister"
The popcorn boy was stricken dumb
at being thus addressed.
Don't take that basket down the
carJustyet. Can't you take the books
and papers along fust, jest as well?
The kids won't mind that so much.
We get off at the Junction, and that
amt very far, now.
what kids ?" demanded the pop
corn boy,
"My two, down yonder. You can
see EN- there" said the man, gaining
courage as he proceeded. you see,
it's like this, III own up I've been in
jail. I've been there two years. Now
I'm goin' West with the kids
"Some folks gave US just money
enough to take US there and get Us
bite now aud then on the road but
them kids, they remembers-least-
ways the boy does, how they uster ride
on thee with me before, an l uster
treat EN- to everything that come
along.
81 was earnin' good wages at an
honest trade then, and it'll nigh about
break their hearts if you come along
with that basket full of goodies and
me not have a red to buy any.
Come, you'll wait, won't ye? 1t amt
far to the Junction where We get off.
The man turned without waiting
for reply and stumbled back down
the aisle. And a remarkable thing
happened-a miracle, if you will. 1t
was proven that a popcorn boy, whose
anatomy embraces castiron lungs,
nervous system made OF steel wires.
and brazen bronchial tubes, has
warm heart. His face, on which no
expression but that of insolence was
ever known to appear before, was
strangely moved and he vigorously
moved the back of ore grimy hand
across his eyes.