The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-27
Our Daily $bcrt Story

not yet
 Rather slim show for playthings Ionson," said the owner of the cranper- res, after a fruitless search with ms eyes From one end of the store to the osner- Don't s'pose a pack O piayin saros would do?" as his gaze paused nopefuiy on an extensive assortment or snat popular article. 'They has pictures "Wouldn't do at all," al Sswered Dobson. decidedly. They ain't moral, an the nrst kid who patronizes' us has got to pe brought up in 8 moral way-say, you, .o the watery-eyed man, who was edglng toward the bar at the far end of the store. none O. that"
 None Q wtat?'' asked the weak man, quermously. T ain't steppin' on your toes.s'A
 No; but you are on the kids. See nere His voice had an incisive ring which nad made many stronger men tremble.
 You amt waikin' the same line you was z4 hours ago. Then you was a poor no count drunkard, who'd a right to dig nis grave without opposition from mo- podyi now you're markin' out trail for tnaf Kid to follow. See? Me an my lriends her ain't no call to interfere be- tween father an son. dropping his voice to an easy, familiar tone, and plac- ing his hand encouraginly upon the trem- uious shoulder, "so long as the father makes good deal; but when he slumps'' his voice was still soft, bat the steely giint returned to his eyes-"then men an my friends step in, Sabe? Bein' the first Kid Tn camp. we've constitooted ourselves ms guszdians-just like every other man m Kas place will soon's they hear of his hhtM here. S'long."
 4NT1o turned hnnIr fn bia comma rions The watery-eyed man, after one long wistful glance toward the bar, resumed his fruit less search of the goods. There was noth- ing now to divide his attention; he knew the men with whom he had to deal. and realized that henceforth the bar was to be as far removed from him as though a wall of granite intervened. But, to his credit be 1t said. even with the realization came a new firmness to bis lips and a new steadiness to his eyes.
 Whats that on the top sheif?" he asked. suddenly
 "That7 Oh. that is-I dunno" hesita- tated the storekeeper, as he took down the object in question and examined 1t critically. Tt got, in with some goods a year ago, an has been up there ever since"
 Why, you chumpr' cried the cranber- berry owner, derisively, mot to know a jumpin jack when you see one! I've bought lots of lem to home for the chill dren. See," and he pulled a string which sent the acrobat tumbiing up over the top of his red pole. "Just the thing for the kid"
 Just the thing" repeated the watery- eyed man, drawing small bag of gold dust from his pocket; it'll make the boy laugh"
 As ne was going out, the owner of the cranberries stepped up to his side Here. take this along with you," he said, relinquishing the can to which he had been clinging so fondly; it'll help to make out a Christmas for the boy"
 An this. too," ''an this, too" added the owner of the sardines and the owner of the baked beans; and then Sheriff Dob. son pushed before them and slipped some | thing bright, and heavy into the hand ! which held the Jumping-jack.
 Its nest-egg for the kid," he said gravely. Now you better go home an i'll up his stockin'; an tomorrow you car tell him Merry Christmas from us. all