The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-29
Our Daily Short Story
InuIn nImu uanu uMn nalEsan nmnMIu uGnMu

You've lost your nerve. It's nothin' but the heat. l seen kids like that be- fore"
 T tell ye he's goin' to croak," reiter- ated the first voice. Listen to him breathe"
 There was a short silence
 You're a chump." the other struck in presently. Didn't we find him lost near the yards, an lock him in the car for safe keepin'. What have we done? Nothin'-only took care of him. An won't his folks make good when we write 'em how we rescued little Willie from hoboes up the line? It ought to be good for fifty apiece. the way he's rigged out. An you want to weaken"
 A thin. querulous cry sounded from the depths of the car. The second tramp stuck his head into the door and growl- ed a ferocious threat.
 T won't stand for it." protested the other. Its plain kidnappin'." "Huh" We only takes him up the line a hundred miles or so. This train pulls out at 1t.-S.It's a cinch."
 Stay with 1t. then. If you want to. I ain't takin' no chances with a. dead kid"
 The speaker dived under the rods and disappeared His companion swore, looked into the car and hesitated. A sight of the officers on the bride de- cided him. and he followed the other. Again the cry sounded faintly from the interior Pete hung motionless. his hand still clutching the rung of the ladder. The sound haunted him. Pos sibly something in the helplessness or the child dimly suggested an agony with his own situation. He descended the ladder and swung himself lightly into the car. It was pitch dark there. and the air was Ike an oven. He heard a panting, hutter- ing respiration and struck malch' masking the flame with his hands. Bred in the tenements. he had seen enough of heat prostration to recognize the symptoms which precede the nnal collapse. A moment later he leaped down, bearing a little boy across his left arm. The child had been subject ed to the terrible heat of the closed car perhaps for hours. Terrified into si- fence at first by the threats Of his cap tors, and then, after a little incapable of effective outcry, only tnis chance stood between him and death. Pete laid him upon the road ballast and stood at bay. Between the two Ioomed the prison. Let the boy die It was every one for himself. Did any one ever help him, Pete. when his back was at the wall? A great gush of flame from tall chimney DeyOnu tue yaiuo SihS" es blood-red reflection upon the upturned face of the gasping child. The man drew his hands across his eyes. In that moment, from the depths of his being the soul of his ancestors enJoin- ed upon him that atonement which was the law of their forgotten sect. He lifted the boy across his shoulder. drew himself over the fence with his free arm. and presently stood under the lights of the street outside the yards. From the bridge two officers ran to- ward him.
 Look out or you'll hurt the boy" he erowled. as they closed upon him. ain't goin' to make no fight.
 Two hours later the cell occupied by the prisoner was unlocked.
 "Youre bailed." said the policeman.
 By who?" incredulously auerfed Pete
 "The superintendent-Mr. Wheatley That was his kid you brought out of inc wards He was near wild. Say, you're all right.
 Then he stood back to make room Tor some one behind him. It was Norah, blushng and sobbing.