The Grit-advocate., 1906-06-01

sides with his arms to keep warm.
What's your number. SOM"
"Thirtecn-Oh. youse needn't be
afraid, 'taint no hoodoo.'
Isn't 1t Iow?" said Moriarity. com
ing up. and he winked at Bat. STAR
in then AMI let's see how smart yol
are"
The men went to work with will
So did Johnny. Bat said IL was "ful
of stunts" Moriarity remarked thai
some one was like "a live wire"
Bat" called Harris, the freight
clerk, coming to the door, you 60 ~
to the office and you'll hear whats
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 a driver for good. They
were goin' 10 do 1t anyway the iirsl
OF the year. hut they've given i. to me
for Christmas present"
Look at that now A dead cain
had struck Moriarity turbulent voice
Who's goin' to be your helper?"
"Why-' Ba. looked around, John
ny's eye caught him, the kid, oi
course! Come on, john"
''Ha. ha! Good luck to ye!' cried
Moriarity.
When Ba. took up the reins he
turned to Johnny.
This is 20 be a short trip he said
but goodness knows where they l.
send us on the next. It's goin' to be
tough, too, it doesn't look as il this
Jerry is 1 new horse, an | got &
fine helper, an" Bat fell into his
drawl-'I guess we're all right, ley
kid?"
There was thoughtful pause or
Bats part, then he said:
John, I'm goin' to give you some
advice-the same Moriarity gave me
the first day | started out with him
This wallet he re-" Bat opened his Goa,
and displayed wallet in his inside
pocket, tina, where we keep the
money, and we got to look out for it
understand" Johnny nodded. Uncer-
tainty was fading from his c9an.
tenance, and the light of hope Vas
dawning in his eyes. Always siand
by your drivar-don't let any one track
you of on that point" Bat held ur a
warning finger. and never play cral
with your l.. o. d. money, see? Iiey
what's the rlatter?"
The change that came over JohIuy's
face was pitiable.
Nope said Johnny, with a shake
of his head. "Y' Y'see, mo old man gam
bled"
Bat looked startled, but he said
blankly:
rs that so?" There was a pause
then Bat spoke softly: Yer .no:hs:
is dead?"
Yep. dead
An where's yer old man now?"
~ don't know" and Johnny SHOOK
AAs head slowly.
Deserted ye?" asked Bat.
Nope, Dead" said Johnny, serious,
ly.
1t was terrible night in tho city
street. The wind blew furious gale
The snow had ceased falling, put this
was the whitest Christmas eve in ,ne
memory of o.d New Workers.
Bat, yours is the first wagon that's
showed up in two hours" said Har.
ris. II don. know what we'll do with
the undelivered stuff! Maybe 1t i.
only your luck, but you've made more
trip. than ;ny three wagons to-dav.'
Hot coffee was served Bat anu
Johnny, as Harris continued:
I'VE don. know how you've done 1t
Bat. but
well. III tell you," interrupted Bat
you can just thank that kid tnere!"
Johnny started from dream
Johnny's eyes were dumb. He was
standing with his frozen fingers clasped
around the coffee cup. Johnny felt that
II he sat down he would not De able
to rise again. He became consciou:
now that his teeth were chatter,ng
and he raised the cup to his lips
Johnny would have dropped where he
stood. but his imagination sustaiae;
HILL oclOlc uc "dS startled OUT c.
his dream he saw the last load de.
livered. the greatest record ever knowr
set down to Bats credit. No laurel.
crowned victor ever made triumpia
entry to equal Johnny's mental tic.
ture of Bats brilliant finish al me
close Of tha- most memorable day.
Here's the last load" SAID Har.
ris. Its 7 long one, and god que
Think you can do it?"
Bat looked at Johnny.
What G'yc say. ral?"
Johnny :Lck long swallow Of ccr.
fee. then ansv cred steadily:
'lll go YER
Come on, then"
The fierce wind swept across tnr
Srdson and whirled the snow into great
drifts that stretched in range of white
ollls In front of the dwellings on River
side Drive.
Here deliveries tested the endur-
ance of min and beast, but the days
tug was not reached until, wnen far
ther north Eat tried to force Jerry uE
the steep of Manhattanville.
They were on their way down town
again when Fat said:
Here, this is the last for you" he
gave Johnny bundle of parcels. I'll
- the rest, and you can meet Ee .,