St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1906-06-23
Johnny Becomes
a Hero
(Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles.
By H. BARRETT SMITH

Copyright, by Joseph b. Bowles)
| Bat O'Connor rushed back and forth
to and from the freight elevator of
the department store.
| Moriari.y, Bats driver, was in the
freight clerks Office. Bat, having no
help for the r:oment, was handling the
lighter furniture; but wanting to get
the truck loaded, he seized a heavy
packing case and lifted it to the truck.
LOOK out there!" cried a 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 you?"
I'm your helper"
us that SO? and what may your
name be-"
Eyer kin call me johnny
49," said Bat, placing his box,
you've been taken on for to-day?"
Il guess that's about the size of it, J"
and Johnny began to jig and beat his
sides with his arms to keep warm.
Whats your number, SOM"
''Thirteen-Oh, youse needn't be
afraid, faint no hoodoo."
Isn't it 1ow?" said Moriarity, COM
ing up, and he winked at Bat. Start
In then AMI let's see how smart you
| are"
The men went to work with will.
So did Johnny. Bat said IL was "fuE
of stunts" Moriarity remarked that
some one was like "a live wire."
Bat" called Harris, the freight
clerk, coming to the door, you GO up
to the Office and you'll hear what's
what"
Johnny's eyes followed Bat. Present.
ly he 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.
Made me driver for good. They
were goin' 10 do 1t anyway the first
Of the year, but they've given i. to me
for a Christmas present"
Look at that now" A dead calm
had struck Moriarity turbulent voice.
who's goin' to be your helper?"
Why" Ba: looked around, john
ny's eye caught him, the kid, OF
course! Come on, john"
"Ha. ha! Good luck to vel" cried
Moriarity.
When Bat took up the reins he
turned to Johnny. @
This is to be a short trip" he said,
but goodness knows where they'll
send US on the next. It's goin' to be
tough, too, 1t doesn't look as If this
snow will let up for a week; but
Jerry is 4 new horse, an got
fine helper, an" Bat fell into his
drawl-T guess we're all right, hey,
kid?
There was thoughtful pause on
Bats part, then he said: 5
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's where we keep the
money, and we got to look out for tt
understand" Johnny nodded. Uncer-
tainty was fading from his coan-
tenance, aud the light Of hope was
dawning in his eyes. Always stand
by your driver-don't let any one track
you OF on that point" Bat held up
warning finger, "and never play crap
with your G. o. D. money, see? FEY,
what's the 1aatter"
The change that came over JohEny's
face was pitiable.
Nope, said Johnny, with a shake
Of his head. "Y'see. me old man gam
bled."
Bat looked startled. but he said.
blankly:
us that so?" There was a pause,
then Bat spoke softly: Eyer mother
Is dead?"
Yep, dead
"An' where's yer old man now"
II don't Know" and Johnny shook
his head slowly.
Deserted ye?" asked Bat.
''Nope. dead" said Johnny, serious
~.
It was \ terrible night in the city
street. The wind blew furious gale.
The snow had ceased falling. but this |
was the whitest Christmas eve in the |
memory of cd New Workers.
bat, yours is the first wagon that's
showed up In two hours" said Ear
ris. Il don. know what we'll do with
the undelivered stuff! Maybe 1t il
only your luck, but you've made more
trips than eny three wagons to-day"
Hot coffee was served Bat and
Johnny, as Harris continued: Il
I'VE don't know how you've done It.
Bat, but
"Well, I'll tell you," interrupted Bat,
you can Just thank that kid tnere!"
Johnny started from dream.
Johnny's eyes were dumb. He was
standing with his frozen fingers clasped
around the coffee cup. Johnny felt that
II he Sat Gown he would not be able
to rise again. He became conscious
now that his teeth were chatrer,ng,
and he raised the cup to his lips.
Johnny would have dropped where he
stood, but his imagination sustained
him. Before he was startled out Q.
his dream he saw the last load de-
livered. the greatest record ever known
set down to Bats credit. No laurel.
victor ever made triumphal
entry to equal Johnny's mental cic-
ture of Bats brilliant finish al the
close of tina. most memorable day.
Here's the last load" said Har-
ris. Its = long one. and a good one.
Think you can do it,"
Bat looked at Johnny.
what eye say. ral?"
Jnhnnv trnka 1nnp sval1ov ~ rnf. |