The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-29

Just as soon as I finish my dinner s.0S'
Paul had been in Denver about week. He had sold
his vse and reduced his wardrobe to the single change
Of Undertaking strapped in his blanket All he had
to do strike the railroad track follow the ties
until he reached the Union Pacific junction Chey
enne which tramp of about 14O miles. He fig
ured that he could do this easily in six days
erng the first five miles he felt very tired but he kept
3oggedly on, he had planned to pass the night at
Golden fourteen miles from Denver.
While he limping along feeling decidedly
comfortable and lonesome he suddenly to culver
on which seated TALL slim lad perhaps year older
than himself =:
stWalkin' goode' the latter asked, quizzicaly, IS
Paul stepped Ha4 on the er0s Hzt
., Paul Paul groaned "Why, a man back there about
mile .s sad it was only ~, +,,+ +n
here make mighty curious calculations Colorado mile
equal to two ordinary d back east Especially you're
'Only over night; I'm on my way to Cheyenne"
''Wel, that's what I call piece of luck; bound
that far myself What do you say shall we hoof it to-
Paul signifed his willingness and sitting the cul-
vert with his feet dangling alongside those Of his
panion's the two compared notes Neither had Nickel
but both headed for San Francisco and they solemn
ly shook hands to 60 thru t'partners' Paul's
acquaintance said his name Dick Tracy; that he
had wandered up to Colorado from Texas and had
cluded to spend the winter in California. =
The miles seemed much shorter and it was not
long before the smoke from the Golden
uncovered The O'Clock whistles just sounding
as they passed the little station and their piercing
seemed to intensity the fact that it supper time.
''See here, - observed Dick, the two sat
empty soap box at the end of the PLATFORM
to this sort o. thing. Wait here for while go up
of '"S t # and before Paul si
enter protest he off. :.. -r-." r..
Dick managed to keep his word returning in about ten
minutes with several slices of bread and butter and
cold steak that he said the cook in eating house had
handed him from the back door.
Clocks dubious, doesn't it?' remarked Paul
they the edge of the platform hour later after
having searched in vain for empty car in which to
pass the night. IN -:
"'That's what" returned Dick, sententiously
we IL have to crawl under that pile ties stacked
It was a chilly retreat, but the boys pretty
tired and slept soundy with Paul's blanket wrapped
around their shoulders. = S. ~, 7: j.
land Fort Collins, the two lads tramped, sleeping
in empty box in deserted sectionhouses, as the
opportunity presented. Paul had managed to
his repugnance to ask for food but failed to offer
his services first Sometimes he was given stick or
Of wood to saw but often than not his fresh
young face the desired meal without further Pare
ing. ... -
The worst part of the journey was now before the
pair From Fort Collins to Lone Tree stretched thirty
mile DESERT absolutely without shade water after
long discussion the lads decided to wait until sunset
boys bravey started down the track on their alnight
tramp - -
1t was a long night and tedious tramp, that the
first gray streaks of dawn seemed veatiously slow
appearing. Sunrise found them in the vicinity of a
deserted section miles from Lone Tree with
record of twenty eight miles their credit Utterly
exhausted the boys spread out their single blanket and
throwing themselves upon it, sank Immediately into deep
s1unb
The sun was high in the heavens when Paul awoke,
hungry and stiff after his long walk Dick was still
snoring in the shade of the shanty, where he had I'M
consciously rolled the downpourng of the
SUM- shout from his conrade caused him to open his
eyes, emit a long yawn, and to wonder how long they
had slept. r.'-:> - - ~. Il.
Unjust be nearly noon, should judge said Paul
glancing upward "Time moving to Lone
Tree to capture breakfast"
Lone Tree consisted Of a single ranch and the new
section Dick said he would take the ranch while
Paul try his luck at the redp painted house
adjoining the track little woman, carrying big
baby answered his knock at the kitchen door, f+2
ttCan you do anything to pay for a dinnerY" she
said repeating Paul's question, meantime cycling him
guess you Jest take that bucket and
90 to the tank and fill it with water; after THAT mebbe
III have somethin' for you to eat''
Paul trudged off with the wooden pail, and, presently