The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1906-06-02
Johnny Becomes
a Hero
D 4. sAsRErr sanrH


l Fs sS0Pyusass ~ svsSk. - 1870
Bat O'Connor rushed back and forth
| 10 and from the freight elevator OF
the department store.
| Moriari.y, Bats driver. was in the
freight clerks ONCE. Bat. having no
help for the moment. was handling the
lighter furniture; but wanting to get
| the truck loaded, he seized heavy
packing case and lifted 1t to the truck.
Look out there!" cried 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"
rs that 20? and what may your
name be?"
Eyer kin cell me Johnny"
49," said Bat. placing HIS box,
you've been taken on for to-day?"
II guess that's about the size Of It,"
and Johnny began to jig and beat his
sides with his arms to keep warm.
whats your number. SOM"
"Thirtecn-Oh, youse needn't be
afraid. faint no hoodoo."
isn't 1t ROW." said Morlarity. COM
ing up, and ha winked at Bat Start
In then AMI let's see how smart you
are"
The men went to work with will.
So did Johnny. Bat said IL was full
OF stunts" Moriarity remarked that
IA "a, x.ytro
Bat" called Harris, the freight
clerk, coming to the door, you 60 up
to the Office and you'll hear what's
what"
j. Johnny's eyes followed Bat. Present.
| ly he saw Bat leave tia Office and rush
toward Moriarity.
Pop" Bats voice was shaky, "were
goin' to part. They've showed me up.
Made me driver for good. They
were goin' 10 do 1t anyway the first
Of the year, but they've given Il to me
for a Christmas present
Look at that now" A dead CAIN
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, joint"
"Ha. Ia, Good luck to ye." cried
Mcriarity.
When Ba. took up the reins he
turned to Johnny.
This is 20 be a short trip" he said,
but goodness knows where they'll
send Us on the next It's goin' 70 Be
tough. too. 1. doesn't look as II this
snow will let up for week. but
Jerry Is new horse. an I got a
fine helper, an" Bat fen fnfD hfs
dravi-'T guess we're all right, ley.
kidd"
There vas thoughtful pause on
Bats part. .brn he said:
John, I'm goin' to give you some
advice-the ssme Moriarity gave me
the first DAY started out with him.
This wallet here" Bat opened his Goa,
and displayed a wallet In bis inside
pocket, THAR where We keep ihe
money, and We got TO look out for it
understand?" Johnny nodded. Unrer-
tainty was fDding from his com
tenance, and the light Of hope Was
dawning IN his eyes. Always srnd
by your driysr-don't let any one track
you on on that point" Bat held up a
warning finger. land never play crap
with your L. q. d. money. see? Iicy.
what's the natter"
The change that came over Johnuy'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 s5id,
blankly:
'Is that so?" There was a pause,
then Bat npoke softly: Eyer mother
is dead?"
Yep. dead"
AN where's yer old man now?"
:" don't know," and Johnny shook
his head slowly.
Deserted YET" asked Bat.
Nope. dead" said Johnny. serious
ly.
It was terrible night in tho city
street. The wind blew furious gale.
T The snow had ceased falling, but this
was the whitest Christmas eve In the
memory Of old New Workers.
BAT. yours is the first wagon that's
showed up in two hours" said Har-
ris. Il don't know what we'll do with
the undelivered stuff! Maybe 1t Il
only your luck, but you've made more
trips than rny three wagons to-day"
Hot coffee was served Bat and
Johnny, rs Hprris continued:
I'VE don't know how you've done It.
Bat, but
well, III tell you" interrupted Bat,
you can just thank that kid tncre!"
Johnny started from q dream.
Johnny's eyes were dumb. He was
standing with his frozen fingers clasped
around the coffee cup. Johnny foit thai
II he sat down he would not be able
70 rise aglin. He became conscious
now that his teeth were chatter'ng
a--d he raised the cup TO his lips
Johnny would have dropped where he