Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-09-27
gnt he newer quite fall asleep.

Yet still the world was kind. A wag-
on came creaking at his heels, slowly
overlauling him and Unexpectedly
stopping when 1t did SO. 1t was green
mountains high with country vege-
tables smelling notably In the clean
night air, and with this sweet Whit
Of home and the past there came a
hearty, elderly voice evidently hailing
Tom.
snow, then, young man, If you want
a lift, joomp oop"
Tom was not sure what he wanted.
but his feet were sore, the voice liked
him, and up he jumped. And between
darkness and dawn-the quiet foot OF
the sleeping hill and the half awaken
ed but already noisy purlieus OF Tot
tenham Court road-the lucky, attrac-
tive fellow made another friend.
The wagner was red faced. red
whis!,ered. freckle handed fellow, with
a genial. broad, communicative tongue.
Jonathan Butterfeld was his name.
and he was a YOrkshireman only re-
Gently come south. as he said. with O
sigh which left him silent. Whereup-
on Tom became communicative In bis
turn and remarked that he, too. medi-
tated a move-to India.
"There's the good ship Jean advertis-
ed to sail on Monday, and I'm on my
way to the office to see II they've a
bunk left. If there isn't shall 60 on
to the docks and try my luck on the
ship herself. l might work my pas
sage out. If not, I'll stow away"
you're that anxious to leave OLD
England"
81 am anxious to make my way"
"Ah. wellw sighed the wagner
give got lad O. my own as far away
as you are going. He writes US canny
letters, but dear knows what wed
give to see him backp'
But there was no end to the good
Will Of the Yorkshireman, who not on
" insisted on paying for hot coffee al
an early stall. but fatty refused to 60
about his business until Tom promised
TO accompany him to breakfast at Its
conclusion.
Toms heart rose steadily with the
sun and was singing with brave re-
solve when at length the wagner re-
turned.
81 doubt I've been long time," said
Butterfield. ut be very near
O'clock"
"Ten past" said Tom, whipping Out
the golden nucleus of his future for
tunes. which he had even then beer
hugging in his pocket.
Tom tried to back out Of the break
fast. but 1t failed. He tried again al
they drove past Fetter lane-he coulc
pay his way in Rolls buildings now
but this time the wagner whipped w
his horse and refused to listen.
mo, no." said he; "a promise Is
promise. and warrant they'll Dc
proud to see you" :.
"You mean your wife and familyF
said Tom. :.
"Nay," said Butterfeld, II doub'
you'll not see them there"
"Not at your house?" cried Tom.
at isn't NINE" confessed the other
'Tts my wife's brothers.. He drives
hackney coach, and l use his stable
every other morning. Me an my mis-
sus live out at Hendon, and | come II
| three nights week."
"But you mustn't saddle these PEG
pie with me. Let me get down q
| once"
Mustn't IY' chuckled the wagner
"I'll take the blame, then. We're very
| near there, and dashed If that ism
Jim on his way home to breakfast
Jim! jim"
And a hackney coach, crawling lei
surely along in front, was pulled VI
as the coachman turned round and rec
ognized Butterfeld.
"WelI. Jonathan, how are your"
"How's yourself, Jim? Early ant
late. as usual, eh? This is youni
gent who has ridden In with me. He'i
waiting till t. offices open. and
thought you'd give US both a bit o
breakfast"
always glad to oblige gentleman
said the coachman. looking hard, bu
nodding genially at Tom. Nor would
he either listen to single protest o.
apology from the youth, who fount
himself at breakfast scarce ten min
utes later In a cozy kitchen close t.
Blackfriars bridge.
The hackney coachman was a burl!
old soldier, a jolly rufian, with a goo'
brown eye. His wife was small ant
spruce, watchful and quiet, and per
haps Tom liked her less. She was kim
enough, however; indeed, the sympa
thetic interest shown by all in an I'm
known vagabond was a circumstanc
| that touched Tom deeply, though or
piece with all his most recent expe
riences and but another proof OF tn
worlds kindness.
The old soldier had served in Indi
himself. He was full Of practical ad
| vice for Tom, who listened gratefully
but yawned twice, when it came gu
he had not slept for some thirty hours
Instantly the household was on 1t
feet. 1t appeared that Jonathan But
terrified had a snOoze there each morn
ing after his night journey with tn
vegetables, and Tom must and shout
| Iia down beside him
Tom consented-f0r an hour-and re
asleep wondering where he had see
the good Jim before. When he awokt
the wagner was gone and the ligh
different. He went downstairs In hi
socks and asked Jim's wife the time.
"Time| said she. Haven't you
watchY =
"Not l."
| az