Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-06-13
Johnny Becomes
a Hero
BY II. BARRETT SMITH
Copyright, By Josepa D. Bowles.)

ugnlST furniture; but wanting TO get
the truck loaded. he seized a heavy
packing cas-, and lifted il to the truck
Lock out there," cried voice.
Bat saw small shoulder bracing the
box. His eyes twinkled as he looked
down at ragged little youngster with
big brown eyes.
Hello, pal, who are your"
I'm your helper"
rs that SO? and what may your
name oe?''
Yer kin call me Johnny"
so said Bat. placing his box.
you've been taken on Tor today"
IL guess that's about the size of it."
and Johnny began TO Jig and beat his
sides with his arms to keep warm.
What's your number SOM
'Thirteen-Oh. youse needn't be
afraid faint no hoodoo."
Isn't il ow?" said Moriarity. com
ing up. and he winked at Bat. Start
In then AMI let's see how smart you
are
The men went 10 work with a will.
So did Johnny. Bat said l3 was full
of stunts" Moriarity remarked that
some one was like "a live wire
Bat" called Harris. the freight
clerk. coming to the door, you 60 up
to the Office and yourl hear what's
what
Johnny's eyes followed Bat Present
iyjhe saw Bat leave the Office and rush
toward Moriarity.
Pop" Bats voice was shaky. I'VE re
'goin to part. They've showed me up.
Hriy fnr Inn
were goin' 20 DO it anyway the first
of the year but they've given i. to me
for Christmas present"
Look at that now" A dead calm
had struck Moriarity turbulent voice.
Who's goin' to be your helper?"
Why" Eat looked around. john
'ny's eye caught him. the kid, OF
course! Come on. joint
ia, ha Good luck to yet" cried
MOriarity.
When Ba. took up the reins he
turned TO johnny.
This is 20 be a short trip" he said.
but goodness knows where they'll
send us on the next It's goin' to be
tough, too, il doesn't look as ii this
snow will let up for a week; but
Jerry is 4 new horse. an I got
fine helper. an" Bat fell into his
'drawl-"I guess we're all right, hey.
kid"
There was a thoughtful pause on
Bats part. :hcn he said:
John. I'm goin to give you some
advice-the same Moriarity gave me
the first day l started out with him
This wallet here, Bat opened his coat
and displayed wallet in his inside
pocket, that where we keep line
money, and we got to look out for it
understand" Johnny nodded Un"er-
tainty was fading from his com
tenance, AMI the light of hope vas
dawEing IN his eyes Always stand
by your driyer-don't let any one track
you OF on that point" Bat held up a
warning finger, ana never play crap
with your {. o. d. money. see? LEY,
whats the rAatter?"
The change that came over JohEny's
face was pitiable.
Nope. laid johnny. with a shake
of his head. "Y'see, me old man gam
bled
Bat looke1 startled. but he soid.
blankiy:
us that so?" There was pause.
then Bat apoke softly: Yer mother
is dead?"
yep. dead ."
An where's yer old man now"
81 don't know and Johnny shook
his head slowly.
Deserted ye?" asked Bat.
Nope. dead said johnny, serious
Iy.
II was n terrible night in tho city
street The wind blew a furious gale
The snow had ceased falling. out this
was the wditest Christmas eve in the
memory Of cd New Workers.
Bat, yours is the first wagon that's
showed up IN two hours" said Har.
ris Il don. know what wen DO with
the uBdelyered stun, Maybe II is
only your luck. but you've made more
trips than any three wagons to-day
Hot coffee was served Bat and
Johnny, as Harris continued:
We don't know how you've done It.
Bat but
Wen. ~ tell you" interrupted Sat.
''you can just thank that hid tnsre!"
Johnny started from a dream
Johnny's eyes were dumb Re was
standing with his frozen fingers clasped
around the coffee cup. Johnny felt that
IL be sat DOWN he would not re able
to rise again. lie became conscious
now that his teeth were chauer,ng
and he raised the cup to his lips
Johnny would have dropped wbero he
stood hut his IMAGINATION eusfai,a..
him. Before he was startled out c
nis dream nc saw the last load de-
livered, tho greatest record ever known
set down 20 Bats credit. No laurel
crowned victor ever made a trlumphai
entry TO equal Johnny's mental vic-
ture OF Ba,'s brilliant finish al tine