Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-24

de
Trux had earned little by running er,anus
and doing small jobs around the raiiroau
station. .,~o
1t was the middle of December when there
came tremendous snow storm. Ihe throuRn =
Albany express was stalled at Dayton anu
the passengers were forced to seek shelter ae
the small hotel near the station-the only
one the village boasted.
Trux was at the station on the lookout to
be of service and thereby earn dime when
the belated train, aided by powerful snow
plough, plunged into huge drift some DIS
tance before reaching the wind-swept plat
form and came to dead stop. Among the
passengers who alighted and began to try to
make way to the dreary little waiting room
was lady, richly clad in costly furs, and
carrying not very large satchel
Trux was quick to offer his assistance, and
with bright smile the lady accepted, glad
enough to avail herself of his help in such
storm as was then raging. When he had es-
corted her to the hotel and seen her estab-
lished in the best room the house afforded, the.
lAiy turned and looked at Trux with kindly
interest. lie was remarkable attractive boy,
even in his shabby, out-grown clothes. His
eyes were especially fine of deep, gray blue,
with long, dark lashes and straight, dark
brows that gave a singularly frank and WIN
ming expression to his resolute young face
His manners were naturally refined with a
certain proud carriage of his well-formed head
that a person of discernment could not fail
to notice as being of the sort that denoted an
indomitabe will to meet and overcome what
ever obstacles fortune might have in store
for him as well as kind of don't tread on
me- spirit that bad scorned Miss Jane and
her sour corn meal SO imperiously.
What is your name%' asked the lady, as
she laid aside her handsome sable coat and
nat.
flames Truxton Dana,' replied the boy.
"Truxton," she said. with little start of
surprise. That is rather uncommon name,
is it not?'
eyes. 1t is the name of someone my grand
mother knew when she was girl."
father?"
..My father is dead" and Trux spoke some
what sadly. But my mother is living There
Oldest. Blossom is the baby. She's. a girl
and only ten months old. Her name is Elsie
but we call her Blossom because she is so
white and pink and sweet:
The lady, spilled approvingiy, and laid a
white. jeweled hand on the boys brown hair.
81 am sure you are all good boys" she said
"And love the little baby sister dearly"
eyes, we do" replied Trux. earnestly, and
mother and grandma, too
Sometime hope we shall meet again, con-
tinued the lady. And | must not forget the
name-James Truxton Dana! And you are
the man Of the family, | suppose?"
Il do what L can, answered Irux gravely
'I earn a little. This is small place. and
there is not much a boy of my age can get to
do"
"You have been of great assistance to me
this stormy night, for I see it is now quite
dark" assured the lady, $50 take this and my
thanks besides,' and she put a silver dollar
in his hand.
ooh, that is too much protested Trux. GA
dime is the most l ever GET
"But this is an unusual service" replied the
lady, "and you carried my satchel quite a
distance. How long are we likely to be de-
tanned here?"
Not longer than ..Ie tomorrow row .p morning,
trains out pretty quick. But it is storming
hard and drifting badly, so it may take until
afternoon"
"Then all one can do is to be patient and
make the best of it" she said. Good night
my dear boy / am very glad to have met
you. So you see,, the delay has not been alto
gether vexatious."
"Good night" replied Trux simply, "and
thank you again for what you have given me-"
Trux hurried home through the binding
storm, shivering but happy, and rushed into
the kitchen, where. Mrs. Dana was getting
ment. "See what I have earned, mother!"
he exclaimed eagerly exhibiting the silver dol
lar s'Train was all showed up-the steam
nipes frozen solid, and the passengers had
to Law over at the station until the train crew
can open the road again. a lady gave me me
TO the hotel. l said it was too much, but
she made Inc take it. She was such a hand
scme lady, and dressed so fine in soft warm
furs. and had such sweet, voice. never
before saw such charming lady"
EeYou had better not let Jane Virgins hear
YOU saw that broke in Gale, "she thinks her
aJane Virgins" shifted Trux contemptu-
ouslv. "I'd like to see her give anyone dol
lar Il they worked for her week"