The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-15
THE EVENING STOR r
VaIadoIl's Special.

IN February assented Valadon.
And you have to wait until your
papa sends you money? don't think
you even call him father. do YOU z?
Valadon looked hurt. You are al
ways at me to go to work he froWn-
ed. It don't see why should nave 20
How much money have you?" she
asked. Somehow her conversation
this morning on the Coronado oeaeh
was most uncertain.
Enough to pay my bills and get up
| to San Francisco"
! Then you will have to wait until
some one sends you the money to get
/ home on. I don't think you are worth
waiting for, Billy"
You might at least be nice this last
day" he said shortly. Lets talk
| about something else"
Two days later VaIadon stood on the
wharf at Oakland. Miss Brockman
stood by the sleeper in which she and
| her mother were to make the trip
east.
II may see you sooner than you ex-
pect," he said with a smile.
Having money telegraphed to
/ you?" she asked.
No he answered shortly. 81 have
an idea that perhaps I can come east
in accordance with your approved
method. I'm going to try It, anyhow,
IF you do. Billy said the girl soft
ly, as she mounted the steps.
eff I do, what"
Mabel shook her head over the
pcrters shoulder as the train pulled
out. She loved Valadon in spite of his
! absolute dependence upon his father
If she could rouse him to action She
| smiled to herself as the train rolled
along the water front and permitted
a last glimpse of the bay.
Valadon took the boat back to the
/ city. but instead of returning to the
! hotel, he went to the Barbary Coast.
In one of the dives sat a party of men,
r-1T oh n \ Trrfff
dent smell of the stable about them.
Billy went up to their leader.
I'm ready now" he said.
STOW the glad rags commanded
the other, land come back here in half
an hour. We don't want. silk hats
around
Before the end of the half hour the
silk hat and frock coat had been
pea Jacket, and Billy was FIVE dollars
richer
The leader marshaled the gang and
an hour later Billy was back in Oak
land. but this time in the freight
yards.
He chung to a handsome leather suit
case, but this time it carried only ne
cessities, and his baggage was aug
mented by soap box containing a
whole boiled ham, ten pounds OF
corned beef. six loaves of bread, a
hunk of cheese and bottle of pickles.
There was also two quart pail,
which, it was explained, was to be
filled with coffee when they made their
day stops.
On the track before him was a train
of twelve yellow cars, at the head OF
which painted a huge engine Billy
climbed into the third car and de-
posted his belongings in corner
There was much hOarse shouting, a
blast from the whistle and a jolt as the
train pulled out, and the first section
of the horse special was under way.
Billy's fellow passengers In the car
were another hOstler and twelve lhof-
oughbreds being hurried east to the
big winter sale The stalls took up
most of the room. but there was a
tiny space for the two men at opposite
ends of the car. and room enough TO
Isleep in if one should be very tired.
Men from the ranch had accom-
panied the train as far as San Fran
cisco, and had fed the horses before
the train had pulled out. The only
thing to be done during the night was
to quiet any horse that might become
restless and at twelve he could go to
sleep and turn the watch over to his
fellow.
Because Billy had paid over to the
foreman ten dollars in addition TO the
pay due him, he was given a car IN
! which the travellers were experienced
tourists; racers of the western circuit
being sent east to be sold as hunters,
( and it was not a d1fncut matter 70
, When the train stopped he could
hear the yearlings in the cars behlnd
, stamping about and he was glad that
he had been given quiet car.
! Even as 1t was he was kept busy
and sleep came quickly to tired eyes
: in spite of the novelty of his sur
roundings and the fact that his head
was pillowed upon wisp Of hay
spread over the grub box through
which the smell of cold ham filtered.
There was plenty of work in the
morning too, feeding and watering
six horses and rubbing them down,
and he was glad enough when the
| train slowed down and the welcome
shout of "Coffee!" echoed along the
line.
There was a full quart of the taffy-
! colored liquid in each can, and with
that and bread and ham. Billy made
a breakfast that would have surprised
the attendants at his favorite club.
By the time the next stop came, he
had his stalls cared for, and the fresh
coffee came as a welcome reviver- He
had wondered at the announcement
, that there would be coffee at frequent
, stops, but the day was not half over
before he realized that it was needed
Five days later a tired and dirty,
but exceedingly cheerful young man
drove up to the door of the Valadon
7 residence on Fifth avenue Just as the
: head of that house was sitting down
! to his breakfast. It required an argu-
: ment with a new footman to convince
linn that the caller was not required to
go to the side entrance, but at his
voice the elder Valadon came running
into the hall.
BLESS my SOUL he puffed after
Billy had told his tale in brief
( Didn't you get my check?"
/ Billy thrust paper into his hand.
E 1T came the day I left he said, but
e it sort of spoiled the idea and I pre-
2 tended that I did not get it. Now I
s want a bath and breakfast and then
t want to see If I can not go down to
I the station in time to meet the Brock
mans"
The Chicago express was three
hours late when it ouffed into the
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