The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1906-08-04
Johnny Becomes
a Hero

By II. BARRETT SMITH


Bat oConnor rushed back and forth
to and from the freight elevator of
the department store.
Moriari.y, Bats driver. vas in the
freight clerks omee. Bat. having NO
help for the r:oment, was handling the
lighter furniture: but wanting to get
the truck loaded, he seized heavy
packing case and lifted 1t to the truck
Look out there!" cried voice.
hat saw a small shoulder bracing tho
box. His eyes twinkled as he looked
big brown eyes.
Hello. pal. who are your
I'm your helper"
rs that SO? and what may your
name be?"
Yer kin call me Johnny"
80" said Bat, placing Eis box.
you've been taken on for to-day!"
Il guess that's about the size OF 1t,
and Johnny began to Jig and beat his
sides with his arms to keep warm
What's your number. SON."
"Thirteen-Oh, youse needn't be
afraid, faint no hoodoo."
Isn't it ow?'- said Morlarity, 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 a wilt.
So did Johnny. Bat said 10 was full
OF stunts" Moriarity remarked that
some one was like "a live wire"
Bat" called Harris. the freight
clerk, coming to the docr. you go up
to the ONCE and you'll hear what's
what"
Johnnys eyes followed Bat. Present.
ly he saw Bat leave the ONCE and rush
toward Moriarity.
Pop" Bats voice was shaky. we 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. hut 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" Ia. looked around. John
n,'s eye caught him. the kid. OF
course! Come on, John!"
"Ha, ha! Good luck to ya!" cried
Moriarity.
When Ba. took UP the reins he
turned to Johnny.
This is 10 be 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 ii this
snow will let up for week; but
Jerry is new horse, an got
fine helper, an Bat fell into his
drawl-"I guess we're all right. hey.
kid"
There was 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 l started out with him.
This wallet here" Bat opened his coat
and displayed wallet in his inside
pocket, "tha, where we keep the
money, and we got to look out for it
taipty 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 on on that point" Bat held UP
warning finger. land never play crap
with your e. o. D. money, see? liey,
what's the rlatter?"
The change that came over Johnny's
face was pitiable.
Nope said Johnny, with shake
of his head. "Y'see, me old man gam
bled."
Bat looked startled, but he said,
blankly:
rs that so?" There was pause,
then Bat npoke softly: Yer mother
is dead?"
yep, dead
AN where's yer old man nov?"
81 don't know" and Johnny shook
his head slowly.
Deserted ye?" asked Bat.
Nope, dead" said Johnny. serious
ly.
1t was terrible night in the city
street. The wind blew furious gale.
The snow had ceased falling, put this
was the whitest Christmas eve in the
memory Of old New Workers.
Bat, yours is the first wagon that's
showed up in two hours" said Far
RIG. 81 don't know what we'll do with
the undelivered stun! Maybe 1t Is
orly your luck, but you've made more
trips than rny three wagons to-day"
Hot coffee was served Bat and
Johnny, as HYrris continued:
I'VE don't know how you've done 1t.
Bat. but
well, I'll tell you." interrupted Bat,
'you can just ttank that kid tnsre!"
Johnny started from a dream.
Johnny's eyes were dumb. He was
standing with his frozen fingers clasped
around the coffee cup. Johnny fcit that
II he sat down he would not be able
to rise again. He became conscious