Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-12-19
SHORT STORY FOR
VENING HOURS
HOW jim GOT EVEN

Say don't let's have Jim Newton 20
with us tomorrow" said Frank Wintop
to his chum. as they sat on the kitchen
doorstep. He's such a poke. and he
never has any money to spend. Wen
have far more fun without him"
"All right" said Hal Prery easily, ~
don't want him, there's twelve of US
without him anyway"
And those were the words that jim
Newton heard quite distinctly through
the high-board fence. as he swept w
the backyard on purpose to be ready
for the morrow. A dozen boys of his
class had planned to walk on Saturday
afternoon to visit an Indian enCamp.
ment away off on the lake shore. Jim
had never dreamed he was to be left
out He was too honorable TO stand
and listen to any more. SO he dropped
his broom and slipped quietly indoors,
He flung himself into the old sitting
room rocker, and winked very hard for
he was altogether too big to cry, he
told himself. But poor Jims heart was
very sore and bitter; not so much over
the loss of the anticipated fun, as the
thought that the boys had been so
cruel. No, he never had any money.
that was true. for his mother was q
widow, with just barely enough to put
him through school, and he would have
been ashamed TO ask her for cent OF
| pOcket-money. Well, he wouldn't 20
now. no. not If they all begged him to,
and he would get even With Frank and
| Hal for their meanness; yes, he would
pay them back If it took him all win
/ ter.
His angry thoughts we're suddenly
interrupted, the door opened and q
mans head was poked in.
Hello. you Kid" called a joviaI
voice, gone to sleep? Hurry round
and get your buds on there's huskin
bee out at our place tonight, and your
mother says you can come II you're
smart enough to walk home tomorrow.
Get along there! I'll call around for
you in 10 minutes.
| The door slammed before Jim could
utter 'Hurrah!" He few to the kitch.
en-, "Oh, mother, did you hear what
Uncle John said? Oh, may really go?
It's husking bee! Oh, where's that
cap Of mine gomez
He went careering wildly about the
| uOhsNs lOllONlHE lduBHlIH-
ly. But he was ready at last, and
bundled into the big double buggy, and
with many warnings from his mother
to keep his scarf tied tightly, and to ns
sure and come home before dark on
Saturday, he drove merrily away.
| Jim's low spirit vanished entirely;
this was ten times better than the trip
to the Indian camp. The husking bes
quite came up to his expectations; and
then the supper afterwards! Such tur
key and sandwiches and pie and cake.
1t was not Jims fault that he was not
sick. But Saturday afternoon came al
too soon. His uncle drove him several
miles on his way, and with many hap
py farewells Jim jumped down and
marched hurriedly homewards. The
short, chill November day was nearly
closing; a snow-storm had been threat
ening all day and the boy had no,
gone half mile before the big flakes
began to whirl about him. and soon he
was In the midst Of binding snow.
storm.
But Jim did not care: he was warm
'y clad. and he knew the road from
Uncle Johns as well as the streets in
Fenton. There was short path cut
ting across a belt Of woods, which he
knew would take him to the railroad
track and he plunged into It. As he did
so he fancied he heard a shout to the
right Of him. Ii seemed the cry of some
one In distress. Jim stopped and list.
ened. Yes, there II was again. a little
nearer. He turned towards the sound
and running little way through the
woods came to an opening where two
woods met. and there he stood still in
amazement. For just before him,
crouched under the shelter of some
snowy alder bushes. blue and SILVER.
ing. stood Frank Winton and Hal
Perry!
In his surprise he forgot for a mo.
ment how unkind they had been. Hell.
lo!' he called. what's the matter?'
The two boys sprang up. "Why, it's
Jim Newton!" "Oh, Jim, where'd you
come from? We've lost our way!"
| why, how In the world did you get
here?' asked Jim In amazement
| I'VE left the other fellows, and tried
to take short cut across the woods
said Frank, "and we've been wandering
round here for hours!" Franks teeth
were chattering. and Hal looked half.
frozen.
| well, you're off the road alto
gether!" cried Jim. Where were you
going next?"
We did not know" chartered Hal.
we tried to make out that sign, but
II was too snowy"
We'll, If you'd kept on this road
you'd have got into the big swamp
said Jim. Come along, this is the
way!"
The twd boys with suddenly light.
ened hearts followed their guide to tbs
path through the woods, glancing at
each other in a very shame-faced fash.
ion. as they did so.
And as they went, Jim explained how
he happened to be there. oh" said
Frank, with relieved look, that was
why you didn't come with us, then?"
Jim's face suddenly changed. NO,
It wasn't" he said shortly.
why didn't you, Jim?" asked Hal In
half.frightened tone.
u guess you both know why. with
out being told" said Jim, quietly. A
VERY mnnnn1 fort ah ell ~