Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-06-09
Johnny Becomes
a Hero
(Copyrignt, By Joseph B. Bou'sa,

TO and from the lIGlSuL 0lSNdlO1 III
the department store
Moriari-y Bats driver, was in the
freight clerks office. Bat, having no
help for the r:oment, was handling the
lighter furniture; but wanting to get
the truck loaded he seized a heavy
packing case and lifted it to the truck
Look out therei" cried voice
Bat saw a small shoulder bracing the
box His eyes twinkled as he looked
down at ragged little youngster with
big brown eyes,
Hello, pal. who are your"
I'm your helper"
rs that SO? and what may your
name beg"
Yer kin call me Johnny
80" said Bat, placing his 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
Whats your number, son?
Thirteen-Oh, youse needn't be
afraid, faint no hoodoo.''
Isn't it 1ow?" 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 a will
So did Johnny. Bat said ID 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' TO do it anyway the first
of the year, but they've given il 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, oil
course! Come on. joint"
'sHa, hal Good luck to vel" cried
Moriarity.
When Bat took up the reins he
turned to Johnny
This is 20 be short trip" he said,
..but goodness knows where they'll
send US on the next It's goin' to be
tough too, it doesn't look as ii this
snow will let up for a week; but
Jerry is i new horse, an L got a
fine helper an" Bat fell into his
drawl-.I 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 a wallet in his inside
pocket, that where we keep the
money, and we got to look out for it
understand" Johnny nodded uncer-
tafnty was fading from his coun-
tenance, and the light of hope Was
dawning in his eyes, Always stand
by your driver-don't let any one track
you OF on that point" Bat held ur a
warning finger, land never play crap
with your L. o. D. money, see? Hey,
what's the r1atter2"
The change that came over Johnny S
face was pitiable.
Nope" said Johnny, with a shake
of his head. 'tY'see, me old man gam
bled."
Bat looked startled, but he said
blankly:
rs that so?" There was pause
then Bat apoke softly: Yer mother
is dead?"
Yep, dead
AN where's yer old man now?"
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 a furious gale
The snow had ceased falling, put this
was the whftest Christmas eve in the
memory of cd New Workers.
BAT, yours is the first wagon that:
showed up In two hours" said Far.
ris 81 don't know what Wen do with
the undelivered stuff Maybe 1t i
only your luck, but you've made more
trips than any three wagons to-day
Hot coffee was served Bat and
Johnny, as Harris continued:
I'VE don't know how you've done 1t
Bat, but
well, I'll tell you," interrupted Sat
you can just thank that kid tnsrei"
Johnny started from a dream
Johnny's eyes were dumb He wa
standing with his frozen fingers claspet
around the coffee cup Johnny felt tina
If he sat Down he would not be abb,
to rise again He became conscious
now that his teeth were chatrer-ng
and he raised the cup to his lips
Johnny would have dropped where h,