The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-16
FAVORED BY MISFORTUNE
BY CLINTON DANGERFlELD.

| 4
Jerry Brnnnoh studied lipr delicate
proflle eagerly, through the mediums. Of
one OF tho dlngy, marrow mirror panels set
iii the cur, Hitherto lie had always con-
sdered these panels as II weak truckllng
to feminine vanity. He now perceived
their Intrinsic value md blessed tho r,ht,
who had conceived the idea. E
1t hurt him seriously to think that she
would rnss out of his llro whom they
reached Louisville. 1Io rngcd against tho
| cohventionnllties which set II bhrrlcr be-
tween himself and the unknown.
a grhy-hnlrcd, stately old gentleman
whom no correctly supposed to DO her
father, sat beside her, and wns Just
strewlng her lap With magazines bought
| from tho train boy. x
| groaned Brhnnon to himself. Not u soul
here who colild possibly help me.
& Ills eyes involuntarly turned with dis
| gust on the other occupants Of tho little
| oar. tag n
It was mixed train, running from
fur beyond Anchorage, and Il carried half
a dozen owners of small tobacco farms,
on tho way to attend the Louisville ntlc-
ton. md some equally bucois females,
several OF whom were burdcned with
restless. sticky children.
Tho falr unknown shonc the more by
contrast. Brannon involuntarlly COM
pared her exquisite grooming with the
frowzy condition OF middlc-hged and
solitary female who sht Just across tho
aisle from him.
There was a huge basket on the sent
leside her. Over its top was tied
white CLOTH which occasionally bulgod
up nercely In bumpy spots while
smothored sounds OF innrticulnte wrath
issued from within.
Thc owner Of the basket detected
Brannons glance. To his horror she
nodded, smiled arose, and coming
across, dumped herself down beside him.
smoothing back her thin hair with a
cotton-glovod hand.
II seed you a-lookin' my way" sho
said, with great friend!ness "and l
kl,owcd you wuz Jest splln' to find out
what's In that there basket. s
Pardon me- said Brannon. ~ freez-
ingly, II had not thought Of the basket.
I would not have you put yourself to-
any trouble in lexplnI ming / am not the
conductor, you know.
Good land!' chucloed his sclf-found
friend. ibid 80 think took We for tho
conductor. Why, he's dressed n sight
smarter than you. Bright blue, and
brass buttons on It, Std OF gray. Not
but what you look real nice" she amend
ed, hastily. That there suit hts you 70
"a figger and sort Of agrees with your
STYLE II dunno but mebbe you look bet
tor In that than you would In his blue;
and BRASS" Gg
""Thanlz you said Brannon. with .,5l
girony totally lost. sis ysssss, IA
Jerry was no snob but the familiar
manners OF the owner OF the basket
made him rage lest the unknown, sit
ting several seats ahead. should regard!
her as Belonging to him He assumed 1, a
pose Of quiet iclness. which was quit
undetccted by the friendly dame beside.
him.
Il His Indifference as to the mystery OF:
tho basket had the usual stimulating
Z effect She lowered her voice TO a con-}
Sfdential pitch, determined to interest
him.
Conductor, he knows there's there ,poultry y
IN that there basket she said. IN " @
! half whisper. but ne don tSKho"t 4 t hll.- \
!. Jerry remained silent. :
'.They amt no common chickens. They'
are thoroughbred games. I'm a-takin'8
'em In to a young feller In town. IN
a feared he's goin' to fight the cock, but
husband he says 'talnt mono Of our af:-.
fair. = III
Jerry looked out OF the window.
'That there cock pursuda she, has
got the wust temper In haintucls, an
the hens thoy a!n't much better"
Jerry tried another tack.
.'rhen you had better stay by them
and watch them" he suggested. artfully
i.'Y on shouldn't leave them alone. That
cover looks loose" IA ~
II reckon I shouldn't" agreed theAdame
An fylt Tim powerful thirsty. = been
thinkin bout that ice tank back there
fer some time"
Jerry returned to his investigation Of
the window.
IF the poultry ownor had expected him
to offer to bring her the desired water
she was disappointed. She arose heavily.
..I'll go git some now" she announced.
'This here train don't go fast enough
to disconcert body much.
But as she passed the basket Jerrys
caution returned to her mind.
She turned back and seized the handle
OF the basket.
Iong as you done warned mo about
leavin' EN- alone" she said, at that cheer
full pitch affected by those who have
never heard of the most excellent thing
J. L.