The Cairo bulletin., 1906-05-18
TODD'S OLD FRIEND.
BY KENNETH HARRIS.

look on the bright side OF things.
But one thought often occurred u him
and gave his spirits an uplift when
they did have sinking tendency
that there were bright chances of sue
cess In life for Todd, Jr., for Willie,
Jim, Eudora, Emmeline and little
Fred. They were all bright children
exceptionally bright, If Todd did say
it himself Todd might have settled
into pretty much Of rut and, to tell
the truth, he hadn't much hope of ever
getting out Of it, but there was no rea-
son in the world why the boys should
not make their mark. AS for the
girls, they were pretty as pictures, and
mighty good girls at that, Todd didn't
want them to make any brilliant al
liances with wealthy and titled for
eigners. The duke or baron who got
Eudora or Emmeline either would
have to show cleaner record than
most of them could, according TO the
best of Todd's information. No, a
straight, square, prosperous American
would be good enough for them
We'll, there's plenty of time to
think about that, my dear" said Mrs
Scofiicld Are you going to manage
TO get Wilies shoes this week? The
poor boys feet are nearly on the
ground"
He reused himself with sigh and
said he supposed he'd have to manage
Todd started out for the office
wherein was his rut. with bulge in
each side of his threadbare overcoat
bread. and butter and cold fried ham
on one side, an apple on the other
He had intended for some time to get
q neat little leather bag 10 carry his
lunch in, but somehow he never
seemed to quite get around to it. or
course, he didn't pretend to much
style, but now and then he thought
Suppose | meet somebody ! used to
know lie didat think that on this
occasion. but he met the somebody
just outside the 'ailway station
1t was Dave Cotisr-Dave grown
stout and more lorid than ever-Dave
extensively attred and in the act of
paying a cabman from fat pocket
book. Todd Just caught his eye and
was about to pass on, but Dave
reached out big red hand decorated
with thick rings and caught him by
the arm Todd Scoffield, you old
pirate" he growled out in his rum
bling bass, what the devil do you
frt1, tho oil OF
Give an account of yourself"
IL didn't think you knew me,
Dave" said Todd. But, of course,
I'm glad to see YOU"
you look it, said the big man, not
releasing his grasp. you amt sore
on me. are you, Told?"
"Why, no, said Todd.
Because when you struck me-say,
how long was that ago? Well, was
up against it, honest-and then, well,
| forgot it. III pay you right now.
ought to pay interest, too. and | will
II you'll let me-"
mo-" said Todd, decidedly. "YOu
,an pay me If you like, but | don't
want any interest.
The pocketbook was still in Golfers
hand and he whipped out a bill and
stuffed It into Todd's waistcoat pock-
IT. Then he picked up his suitcase
md again clutched his friends arm.
Come along with me" he said. I've
,nly got two minutes to catch my
rain Great Scott. How gray you're
settingi Where do you live? I've got
o look you up. Todd" he continued,
Is he hurried along. "I'll give you a
ip. You take that $50 and buy Mex
can Rubbers. Billy Pollard. Max
Helm ans me are in il up to the ears
md we'll boost her up to par inside of
% days. I'm on my way down there
now. They're giving the stock away
low and we're gathering it in quietly.
You watch II move, but get a bunch
irst You do that and well be square
But this is on the dead. mind Here
We got TO skip lively. SO long. I'll
oOk you up"
He made dash for the gate, almost
,vcrturning the man who was closing
{. and swung himself aboard a NOV
ng train. leaving Todd staring after
lim in bewildcrmcnt.
who ever would have thought
hat" said Todd. Then he looked a
he station clock. Heavens! It's q
last now!" he exclaimed and turned
o go, but as he went he extracted the
'rumplcd bill from his waistcoat peck
u and looked At II. Il was $50, sure
'nough Fifty dollars, Fifty dollars
ill in one lump and with no claims on
l.. Should he buy Mexican Rubbers?
If Dave was I'm with Pollard and
Helm {. certainly looked well. Specu-
alton was uncertain. but Dave must
laye known what he was talking
ibout. aud il might mean hundreds
Ne looked in the paper TO sec at what
igure the stock was quoted II wasn't
quoted. Should he tell the wife?
He didn't The next day he went TO
/ brokers' Office and bought Mexican
2ubbers-a bale Of It. The broker
ookcd at him curiously.
Ten anxious days later the stock
ook the first little step of its phe-
advance. After IL had gone
Utmost to par and then had declined to
almost nothing Todd sold out.
The next day Todd stood looking at
he display in = haberdasher's shop