Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-29
BILLY DICKS SNEAK THIEF.
BY K. n. BIRDSALL.

| Billy DICK ana Moran were Keeping
house together, while the pretty mother
and little Rosy Posy went on visit to
Uncle Cameron, who lived not far from
| Springfield.
BILLY Dick" Mrs Morton had said as
| she kissed her trustable little son good
| bye, remember that you are the man of
| the family now that father is away. and
you must bear the responsibilities of the
| household for the week that we are gone.
| Miss Elsie has promised to come and stay
| with you every night but this one, so
you won't be lonesome. Norah will tell
you what is wanted and You can be mar
ket man. But don't be eXtravagant." she
added. laughing, as she kissed him again.
mo, indeed answered Billy Dick, So
berly "You needn't be worried a bit.
mother. I'm sure I'm not extravagant-
and as for being afraid, why. mother
have you forgotten that I am ny Miltor
| Montgomery Morton, my grandfather
namesake?"
"No, dear" said his mother: land as
long as you remember your soldier grand.
| father, who was brave and noble ano
generous. shall not be worried about my
son /"
Then the train bore Mrs. Morton and
Rosy Posy away.
Did I say that Billy Dick and Norah
| were keeping house alone? I should
nave Sdld, ana fiOPsy. rlopsy WAS d
very important member of the house,
hold, devoted to his young master and
much beloved by Billy Dick.
I'VE shall miss them terribly. of
course" WHISPERED Billy Dick to Flop
some will we. Flopsy? And then Miss
Elsie is coming to spend the other
nights with US. I think. Flopsy, that if
Mr.. Donald doesn't get ahead of me
I shall marry Miss Elsie just as soon
nyI I u
her every day as well as Sundays. and
she needn't bother about teaching the
Sunday school lesson"
Flopsy, being a discreet little dog,
ear knowingly. He knew what it was
to have a fondness for Miss Elsie. too.
1t was perhaps o'clock that night
when a ring at the door brought mes
sage to Norah that her stepmother's
niece's husband was very sick indeed,
and she must come at once.
"Arrah-arrahv' walled Norah. "'Tis
me own cousin that's dyin! Yen have
to be goin' to Miss Elsie's to supper,
darlint. whites OF run to me family.
part Of it. for it was SO jolly at Miss
Elsie's house. especially when MIR. Don
aid was there (Which he was most al
ways}. but he was sorry for Norahs
cousin"
So Norah departed. promising to be
back at o'clock sharp, and Billy Dick
ran off to Miss Elsie's house.
The house was dark and silent, not
even servant in.
you and Til have to get our own
carefully unlocked the door of their
house.
It was really fun alone with F'lopsy.
without any one to tell you that there
was only enough cake there for tomor
rows lunch. and that the cream must
he saved for breakfast
The two had a beautiful supper, in
the midst Of which Billy Dick thought
he heard a peculiar sound out OF doors.
It was a bitter cold evening, and snow
lay thick on the ground.
perhaps it's Norah coming back
early" said Billy Dick.
In a minute the noise came again. and
it sounded like call for help. Flopsy
whined.
Billy Dick was at the door in an
instant. and as he opened 1t figure
staggered up the steps and tell In the
doorway. 1t was man, without coat
ragged and forlorn and almost froz-
en- to death. He was young-almost as
young as Mr.. Donald. who came so
often to stay at Miss Elsie's house.
Billy Dick helped him into the kitch-
en-, where his supper was half eaten.
He gave the man drink of ho. milk.
and as his patient grew warm and COM
Portable Billy Dick felt that he was
looking at him inquiringly.
''rd have been a goner in another min
ute If you hadn't opened the door, he
said. where's the rest Of the family?'
I'm the only one home" answered
Billy Dick without thinking. but even as
he said it he was sorry, for 1t might be
that the young man was thief. Fiopsy
was shifting around him, but he didn't
snarl the way he usually did at tramps.
In fact. he wagged his little tail and put
his nose and paws confidently on the
strangers knee.
''Flopsy seems to approve of him. said
Billy Dick to himself land I guess the
poor man is all right
The tramp ate everything his host put
before him. You're brick. youngster."
he said as he moved painfully away from
the table. LAS soon as I get thawed out
bit more TIL move along" He coughed
painfully as he spoke. almost falling from
weakness.
Indeed" said Billy Dick. compassion
ately 'you shall stay here all night
you'll get pewmony If you go out again.
My mother would be awfully worried
just sleep right in the little room at the
top Of the back stairs where it's nice and
warm, and when Norah comes In she'll
make you some horrid stun to take like
they make me take when they are afraid
I'll have pewmony."
The tramp had real tears in his eyes as
he thanked Billy Dick. when he had
Strengthened up the supper things. mo
rah ought to be back by this time. Maybe
her Cousins awfully sick. poor man."
Billy Dick was yawning prodigious1y as
he spoke. 1t was over an hour after bed
time and the day had been a very event
! full one for him. He left the tramp hud-
died close to the fire.
At midnight Norah. out of breath and
worried about Billy Dick, unlocked the
kitchen door. She had been detained by
an accident on the railroad, and. on in
curing at Miss Elsie's. found that Billy
Dick had not been there. You can mag
Inc how she felt. She rushed upstairs to
Billy Dicks room and found him there
on his bed fast asleep. his clothes all on.
But he was warmly covered with a great
steamer rug. Norah breathed deep sigh
Of relief when she saw him safe. Then
she went downstairs.
"Th' poor child had an appetite, sure"
she said to herself. 'Indade be the dishes
1t looks as II Flopsy had ct and drank at
che table too" Then she went into the
dining room.
"Ach-the saints deliver metz she
shrieked. 1.-THE good saints deliver us!
Oh wurra, wurra! Norah Malone. it's