The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-12-16


its big, round eyes. called out cheer
fully
Hello NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.! Dom
you like it?" Dannies face fairly
beamed with pleasure as he Responded
eagerly;
"Why, sir. it's the best | ever had
it seems so real. But Gee! How l de
hate to wake up"
BY the time the doctor had con
WINGED the little fellow that he was
wide awake, and that the clothes were
not only real clothes but were really
his own, Dannie's hair had been pur
in order, he had trie,; on the oyercoats
and selected a long, warm ulster that
reached to his heels, and a cap thai
could be pulled down over his mech
and ears 1
'''Phone, Doctor" called someone
rapping on the door. -
'.All right Now Dannie, take Mr.
Crafton's grip out and put your news
paper bag in the bathroom with your
other clothes, and leave them there
II there's anything you want from
your pockets, better get it now and
put it in your new, pockets, while I'm
busy"
All right, sir And with a new feel
ing of selfrespect, the clean. well
clad child transferred two nickels, a
wad of sciled strings, two nails. a
broken bladed knife, a short strap
with a broken buckle. a shoe button
and CnUpro1 nfhnr
possessions. from his old pockets-the
holes in which were ingeniously tied
with twine-and proudly distributed
them among the numerous receptacles
in his new jacket and trousers.
When the doctor returned and found
him with OVercoat on. his cap in one
hand and Crafton's grip in the other
head ND and awaiting orders. he was
evidently pleased with his protege.
Say Dannie, how'd you like to STAY
with me and be my little brother"
I'D like it fine, sir"
And leave Denver tonight and go
away down to Florida for several
weeks
I'D like to go anywhere with you,
sir" -.-
Think your folks d care, if l prom
Use to be just as good to you as 1
know how, if | take you away to-
night?"
Folks? l amt got no folks. SIR
was the sad reply as Dannie felt the
lump in his throat and tried to swal-
low it.
Who's been taking care of you,
SOM"
We'll, mostly nobody. Cold nights
the pressman let me sleep on the, pa
per in the press room. An a police
man gave me an apple one time-an'
an a lady t / found her watch give
me two big 'sanwiches and nickel
last summer. And his eyes glow
ing gratefully-"O sir, jes. look what
you dOne!" For a moment the doc
tors face twitehed and he bit his lip
savagely. Then he asked softly:
rs there any one you ought to tell
you are leaving town, Dannie? Any
one who will feel hurt and worried
unless they know where you've gomez"
No, sir. Not as | know of, less
it be the pressman. He's been real
good, sometimes, when he ain
rushed, and Id like to ask him to let
Shorty Nubbins-he's the big newsy
that's always fightin' you know, sir
sleep in there agin,' cause Shorty
never meant to hit me so hard, but
he was just that cross and tired, you
know, sir" --
'All right Well call up the Office
and talk to the pressman."
The doctor was well pleased with
what he learned over the phone, and
then Dannie talked with the brusque
but kind-hearted pressman, got - his
promise that Shorty should sleep in
his place, and told him good bye.
When they retired to the little sitting
room the doctor drew the boy to his
side and said:
Now, my boy, you belong to me
and | to you. have no one to look
after me but you, and you have no
one but me TO care for you. Remem-
Der, | am to be your brother and you
are to be my brother. When you
want anything ask me for it, whether
it's money, marbles, candy or clothes.
was boy myself and know all about
it. So don't be afraid to ask me, nor
to. tell me anything-good or bad. I'm
going to trust you, Dannie, as | would
have trusted my own little brother
if he had lived. Sometimes when /
am worried, or busy, or thinking of
something else, don't keep away from
me if you wish to SPEAK to me or be
with me. want you. above all things
to feel free to come to me with your
so that | will sympathize
with all your troubles and your pleas
ures." Then more agility: "You see
Dannie, I'm only a lonely boy. like you,
and I'm hungry for somebody to love
me and take care of me, and I'd rather
have you than any one know"
And I'd rather have you," said
happy Dannie.
Good, let's shake on it, old fellow"
And their hands met in a clasp that
cemented their brotherhood for all
time.
Now, Buddie-by the way I'm your
brother Warren Cleveland, hear-get
that grip and We'll go get something
to eat. sent my grip down to the
station this afternoon, and then we'll
board the train for Pensacola, Flor
ida"
When they entered the cafe, they