The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1906-07-14
By II. BARRETT SMITH


"Thirteen-Oh, youse needn't be
afraid, faint no hoodoo."
Isn't 1t 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 to work with q will.
So did Johnny. Bat said Is 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 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, "we're
goin' to part. They've showed me up.
Made me a driver for good. They
were goin' 10 do it anyway the first
of the year, but they've given 1! 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! Como on, John!"
"Ha, ha! Good luck to vel" cried
Moriarity.
When. Ba. took up the reins he
turned to Johnny.
This is 20 be short trip" nc said.
"but goodness knows where they'll
send US on the next It's goin' to be
tough, too, It doesn't look as If this
snow will let up for a week; but
Jerry is i new horse. an I got a
fine helper, an" Bat fell into his
drawl-'T guess we're all right. hey,
kid?"
There was a thoughtful pause on
Bats part, then he said:
John, I'm goin' to give you some
advice-the same Moriarity gave me
the first day I 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 it
understand" Johnny nodded. Uncer-
tainty was fading from his coun-
tenance, aud the light of hope Was
dawning In his eyes. Always stand
by your driver-don't let any one track
you on on that point" Bat held ur a
warning finger, land never play crap
with your c. o. D. money: see? LEY,
what's the raatter?"
The change that came over JohnDy'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 rpoke softly: Yer mother
Is dead?"
Yep, dead"
'An' where's yer old man now?"
Il don't know" and Johnny shook
his head slowly.
Deserted ye." asked Bat.
.'Nope. dead" said Johnny. serious
~.
1t was ! tie, rible night in tho 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 Har-
ris. Il dom. know what we'll do with
the undelivered stun! Maybe 1t is
only your luck, but you've made more
trips than sny three wagons TODAY"
Hot coffee was served Bat and
Johnny, as Harris continued:
I'VE don't know how you've done 1t,
Bat, but
well, III tell you," interrupted Bat,
you can just thank that kid tncre!"
Johnny started from a dream.
Johnny's eyes were dumb. He was
standing with his frozen fingers clasped
around the coffee cup. Johnny felt that
if he sat Gown he would not be able
to rise again. He became conscious
now that his teeth were chatter,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 c.
his dream he saw the last load de-
dvered, the greatest record ever known
set down To Bats credit. No laurel
crowned vicsor ever made a triumphal
entry to equal Johnny's mental TIC
ture Of Bats brilliant finish al the
close Of tina. most memorable day.
Here's the last load" said Har-
ris. Its a long one, and q good one.
Think you can do IT."
Bat looked at Johnny.
What G'ye say, ral?"
Johnny tCck long swallow Of cof-
fee. then answered steadily:
III go yer!"
Come on, then"
The fierce wind swept across the
Hudson and whirled the snow into great
drifts that stretched In range OF white
hills in front of the dwellings on River
side Drive.
Here deliveries tested the endur-