The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-07-28
Johnny Becomes
a Hero
By Il. BARRETT SMITH


the department store.
Moriari.y, Bats driver. was IN the
freight clerks ONCE Bat, having no
help for the n.oment. was handling the
lighter furniture; but wanting TO get
the truck loaded. he seized a heavy
packing case and lifted II to the truck.
Look out there!" cried a voice.
Bat saw a small shoulder bracing the
box. His eyes twinkled as he looked
down at a ragged little youngster with
big brown eyes.
Hello. pal. who are your"
''I'm your helper"
"Is that SO? and what may your
name be?"
Yer kin call me Johnny"
So" said Bat, placing his box,
you've been taken on for to-day?"
4 guess that's about the size Of II"
and Johnny began to Jig and beat his
sides with his arms to keep warm.
What's your number, SOM"
''Thirteel-Oh, youse needn't be
afraid. 'tain't no hoodoo."
Isn't 1t ow?" said Moriarity, com
ing up. and he wlnked at Bat Start
in then ami let's see how smart you
are"
The men went TO work with a 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 youll 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 r driver for good. They
were goin' 10 do 1t anyway the first
of the year, but they've given II 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" Bat looked around. John
ny's eye caught him. the kid. Of
course! Como on, John!"
"Ha. hal Good luck TO ye!" cried
Moriarity.
When Ba. took up the reins he
turned to Johnny.
This is 10 be a short trip" he said,
but goodness knows where they'll
send us on the next It's goin' to be
tough, too, II doesn't look as II this
snow will let up for a week; but
Jerry is 4 new horse, an | 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 10 give you some
advice-the same Moriarity gave me
the first day | started out with him.
This wallet here" Bat opened his coat
and displayed a wallet in his inside
pocket, that where we keep the
money, and we got to look out for it.
understand" Johnny nodded. Uncer-
tainty was fading from his coan-
tenance, aud the light of hope Was
dawning in his eyes. Always sts7d
by your driver-don't let any one track
you on on that point" Bat held UP a
warning finger. "and never play crap
with your {. o. ID. money, see? Hey,
what's the Taatter?"
The change that came over Johnny'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:
rs 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
ly.
1t was 4 terrible night in the city
street. The wind blew a furious gale.
The snow had ceased falling, put this
was the whitest Christmas eve in the
memory Of o,d New Workers.
bat, yours is the first wagon that's
showed up in two hours" said Har-
ris. Il don't know what well do with
the undelivered stunt Maybe 1t is
only your luck. but you've made more
trips than rny three wagons to-day"
Hot coffee was served Bat and
Johnny, as Hsrris continued:
I'VE don't know how you've done 1t,
Bat, but
We'll. III tell you," interrupted Bat,
you can just thank that kid tnsrel"
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
IL he sat down he would not be able
to rise again. He became conscious
now that his teeth were chatrerlng
and he raised the cup to hts lips
Johnny would have dropped where he
stood, but his Imagination sustained
him. Before he was startled out O.
his dream he saw the last load de-
1fvorad the greatest rpcord ovar knoxvn