davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-17
How Shrimp Got Through
By Eugene Carr

I ing to. the store late would be dis
charged
Don't stand there and argue witt
me; CO. now, or I'll thresh YOU"
He went, and ran all the way. The
druggist, knowing for whom the drus
was desired, always gave it to Shrimp
without question, and he was soon or
his return, having hurried as fast as
his legs could carry him.
It's after o'clock, and I've lost my
job" ne said as he burst into the
room.
Look mere, my laddiebuck," replied
his stepmother, 'if you've lost your
position, I'll tell your father you play
ed while on you way to work and lost
it in that way So saying she prepared
to get up and dress, afetr which she left
the house, saying she was going call
ing.
Il have put all the dirty clothes in
the two tubs and If you don't have
them all washed by the time get back
there'N be something coming to you.
Pm going up to Mrs. Ryan's to have a
glass of beer; now, remember, if you
don't have this washing all done when
I get back you'll get just what I prom
ised you"
AS she left the house little Shrimp
stood looking at the two tubs full of
clothes, while the large tears welled
up in his eyes. 1t seemed an impossi-
bility for him to please his mother; he
had lost his position while waiting on
her, and, although it was through no
fault of his, he was threatened with
an unjust punishment. And this was
not the first time, either.
Of course, Snrimp's father knew
nothing of the manner in which his
wife had been abusing the lad, and for
that reason Shrimp dreaded his return
What should he do? Long he stood in
deep thought, looking out through the
window over the snow clad hills. Then
the idea became live one.
I'll go to grandma's," he announced,
looking carefully around, fearing that
''she" had heard him. 'Tll run away
and go back to grandma; she loves me-
1 wonder where my .Iean clothes are.
must change. I'll look there in the
bureau-here they are; some warm
socks and my cap. Guess I'd better
make bundle Of these extra ones,
and take my old pistol along, too.''
In almost less time than it takes
to tell, he was ready for the trip, and
was considering the best method of
reaching his destination, when another
thought struck him. Looking at the
clock, he noticed that it was about
o'clock, and that there would be a train
leaving soon for the east over the D.
& R. G., which was then but a narrow
guage affair.
I'll get on the first blooming train
see going towards Kansas" he solil-
oqulzed, as he hurried along in the !
cold dusk of the early evening By
great good luck he arrived at the de- |
pot just as freight train was making
ready to start on it's long journey
through huge snOWdrif2s, deep cuts
and long tunnels. CHANGING carefully
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-17

With the Christmas season but a
short distance away, there seemed to
be but little hope of Shrimp enjoying
the festivities of the occasion as did
other children of his age with whom
he was acquainted. The same old rou-
tine of drudgery was staring him in
the face, when a daring thought struck
him, and he mentally resolved to take
advantage of the first opportunity to
carry it through to an execution.
His name was not Shrimp at the time
this tale started to unravel. His front
name was John. Small for his years,
though exceeding wise from contact
with the rougher side of life, and
wide awake every minute of the day,
the lad was old far beyond his age.
Shrimp was blessed with a stepmother,
his own mother having died several
years ago from the effects of fighting
a Kansas prairie fire, leaving the lad
almost alone in the world.
With his attention confined almost
wholly to business matters, Shrimp's
father, who was one of those Colorado
commercial transactions, was so wrap
ped up in the pursuit of the coin that
he forgot all else. So it came that
Shrimp was turned over to his new
mother, with the result that he got all
that was coming to him in the way
of kicks, curses, slaps and hard
labor.
The stepmother by cruel arrange
20
of drugs, and as a result had frequent
Authorizations and imaginations. She
liked things clean and neat about the
home, but was little inclined to take
any active part in the cleaning and
homework. AS there were no girls in
the family, the bulk of the labor de-
Volved upon Shrimp, who was a boy all
the way through, and who heartily de-
tested the small tasks given him in
doors In addition to doing work for
his new mother, he endeavored to hold
small positions with business men who
needed the services of a boy, and in the
end Shrimp found that he was car
rying altogether too much upon his two
little shoulders.
Being an Industrious lad and willingJ
to work, he accepted a position asI
cash boy in one of the dry goods stores
of Leadville, Colorado, where he lived
AS his father had left town for an
extended stay, the lad was able for
time to handle the work in the store
and that at home very satisfactorily, |
but the climax was reached one morn
ing when mis- irate stepmother called |
to him as he was getting ready to go |
to the store, and asked him to bring |
her breakfast up to her-that she
would eat in bed. Then she added:
Take this bottle and quarter and
run to the drug store and get me
some morphine before you go to wark"
Ma, if l do, I'll be late to work and
lose my position. A boy lost his job
yesterday morning for being late, and
Mr. Monheimer said that anyone COM
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-17

ly he began to think of something =.
eat and at once remembered the no,
Gel which had, the night preyious,,
been given MIN as he was put on n.
train. Examination revealed a goo,
supply of sandwiches, which struck III.
spot and took load of signs from thu
travel-stained passenger.
From crew to crew, Shrimp Was
passed along, until on the day bs.
fore Christmas, he was finally landed
in Strong City, having been on tb0
road three days and nights. It was n
o'clock on the third evening When tho
brakeman woke him and informed him
that he had reached his destination
and out into the silvery moonligbt
which was shedding soft rays across
the snow-covered hills and plains
Shrimp scrambled. The night was
bitter cold, and now that he had
reached Podunk, Shrimp was in a
quandry as to how best to find the
old home.
But the fortune which had been with
him since he left Leadville was with
aim still, and bakers wagon came
along just in time to take him on the
balance of the journey. The old land.
marks looked as natural as ever; even
in the clear moonlight ne could dis.
tinguish places where he had romped
through the grass and flowers, and as
he neared the gate of the old home, ne
could hardly restrain himself from
shouting because of his joy. jumping
from the wagon before it reached the
gate, Shrimp raced around the house,
and burst in at the side door, shout.
ing Grandma" as loud as his lungs
would permit.
On entering the big, comfortable.
looking room, no one was in sight ex-
cept company of utter strangers, who
were sitting in a circle about the big
popping corn and eating ap-
pies. All stared in silent amazement
at the ragged, travel-stained little fig
ure, standing forlorn and weary just
inside the door, eagerly scanning each
face in the hope of obtaining a sign
Of recognition.
No one spoke, and 1t was for
Shrimp to break the silence, which, a
few seconds previous, had been pune
tuated by his cries for grandma"
"Please, is my grandma here?" he
asked in a timid voice.
"Who is your grandma" queried
young lady sitting in the corner of the
'oom.
Grandma Hensley - she Is my
grandma" came the prompt response
ooh, Grandma Hensley; yes, she's
lere-just step into the next room"
Shrimp did as directed, and the sight
# his dirty face was one that caused
he good old lady to often look back
nd recount the incidents of the meet
ng, and Shrimp-well, he never has
orgotten the events of that Christ
has on the Kansas farm, even though
e is today one of Whlla Walla's lead
ne business men-a man who stands
Ugh in the financial world and is re-
arded as a leader in this section Of
he northwest.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-17

! put you on the passenger train that
we'll meet at the next station
yards"
! Please don't do that" pleaded
Shrimp. II don't want to go back
/! grandma said to come to her, and l
| want to co.
! "Come on-get out and quit your
bawling," was the tart reply, and as
the train was moving and gaining
| speed with every foot, Shrimp found
himself hoping that it would be wrecked
| and that he would be the only one
killed. He knew that If they sent him
back his father would never stop beat
| ing him, and the thought of what
| would certainly follow fired mis- brain
and maddened him. Down the canyon
the cumbersome train of heavily laden
cars picked it's way, deftly following the
shining bars of steel that stretched
straight away ahead of the headlight on
the painting locomotive. For moment
Shrimp stood retrospective, and then
made lunge toward the open door,
intending, seemingly, to nurl himself
out onto the jagged rocks along the
rivers brink below.
AS though reading the boys mind
and thought, the blue-coated conductor
stepped forward and blocked the
doorway. well, kid, guess you won't
have to go back" he said.
do you mean it sir, or are you just
saying that till we get to where you
can send me back. Honest, mister,
they'll beat me an almost kill me fer
tryin' to get to grandma's; my step
mother don't like grandma, cause she
took my part when she was visiting
us last summer"
mo, kidlet," came the thoughtful re-
joinder, 1--WE won't send you back" AS
the engineer gave a frantic appeal for
brakes, the ICON" turned to Shrimp and
said: ''This is Granite; keep out of
sight" When the train began to slow
down so he could do it, the official
jumped nimbly to the ground and was
lost from sight.
After a stop of few minutes dur
ing which some switching was done
in Granite, the trip was resumed. and
Shrimp was not bothered all night. |
1t was still dark when the train pulled
into Sedalia, the division point, where
new crew took charge, and Shrimp
OidWicu IIOIl MS car cold ana hungry
Directing his steps toward a hotel
across the street, big red stove in
the office acting as a magnet to draw
the weary traveller thitner
The landlord, corpulent, good-na-
tured, red-faced man, seemed to under
stand that Shrimp was a homeless
chap, and made him as comfortable as
an empty stomach would permit. be-
side the big stove After he had
out and the landlord was about
to leave the room, Shrimp, in a weak.
trembling voice, ventured this oues-
ton:
please, sir, will you get me some
breakfast? Anything'll do; but I'm
awfully hungry"
The landlords eyes twinkled as mel
replied that he certainly would fix him ,
up In good style, and told Shrimp ,
% follow him. Shrimp needed no sec
md invitation, and followed his host
nto the dining room, where he wasl ,
served with enough food for a Sec II
ion hand
Gee, but this is the best breakfa ST | 2
We ever had,'' thought the lad as ne Z
nunched silently on big. fat doueb- y
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-17

over the train, he sc,ected car that
looked inviting and made his way to-
ward it, the while saying to himself
I'll just get in this open car and
ride here. I guess they won't find
me-
4 He stood not upon the order of mis-
going, but straightway climbed into
the side door Pullman" and curled UP
in one end where the chilling wintry
blasts of Christmas in that section
| would not strike him. Within the
space of a few minutes the tired little
body had assumed position which in
! Dictated repOse, and dreams of grand
| ma, warm room and a big Christmas
| turkey we're fitting through his slum-
bers when big, gruff voice like the
growl of Rocky mountain grizzly,
awoke him.
Here, What're you doin' in there"
please, sir, want to go to grand
mas" replied Shrimp in a sleepy mon
otone, rubbing his eyes to get them
accustomed to the glare of the lantern
which the man carried.
well, I'll be DID," exclaimed the
person with the big voice. Its only
kid. Well, wnere does your grandma
live?"
"She lives near Podunk, Kansas"
shiveringly replied the lad, putting on
as brave a front as he dared, fearing
the "brakey' would put him off the
train.
+Ha, ha; that's something, anyway.
But you can't ride here, sonny"
please, mister, let me ride out here.
and l won't get in the way at ALL"
: That's all right, kidlet; but 1 just
told you that you couldn't ride here
I'll put you in car where you won't
freeze to death, for that's just what
would happen if I left you here"
Shrimp was now trembling, more
from excitement than from the cold,
but the brakeman picked him up bodily
and carried him to a refrigerator car
where in the inky blackness, with the
lantern throwing fitful shadows on the
walls, the lad found himself much more
comfortable than he had been a short
time previous. 1t was uncomfortably|
dark, but anything was good enough, as /
long as it took him away from her"
and the nightmare he mad gone through
for the past four yaers
Gee, l wish someone was in here
Will iio, He Thought, 1CS gett1n' |
awful dark. and I'm goin' away from
my brother and father; but I amt goin'
to cry. I've started and I'm goin' to
see grandma. I wish I could go to
sleep; I'm gettin' hungry, too" So
thinking he dozed and nodded as the
train plodded along through the night
Bump, bump, bumpety bump!. These
grinding, crunching sounds, followed by
rafting at the car door, brought our
hero back to realization of what and
where he was, and in an instant he
was wide awake. The door opened. a
lantern was thrust in, followed by a
head and a pair of broad shoulders.
When all was in sight. it proved to be
the conductor, who, after looking at
shrimp for long moment without say
ing anything, finally queried, "Well.
"here do you think you're going?'
Please, sir, the other fellow said T
could ride in here"
Where are you going?'
Il want to go to my grandma, back
n Kansas ,
well, L guess you'll have to land
lere, for L think you are running aWav
rom home. I'll fix it with the agent to | ,
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-17

gan 10 pain uIH unIlI ne began 10
| cry. What are they rubin that
snow on me for?" he asked
A kind voice answered: Never
mind, little man, we must do that to
draw the frost from your little frosted
body" Shrimp then remembered the
treatment the rescuers used up in the
mountains when they find people that
have fallen exhausted among the many
wagon roads and t1aiIse leading into
Leadville. When he got strong
enough to talk the paymaster of the
car began questioning him, and in
reply to all questions, he answered
the same as he did to the hotel man.
Shrimp was fed and kept away from
the warm pipes, but was wrapped up
in warm blanket. That evening he
arrived in Pueblo. One Of the men
from the pay car took him to a long
train standing across a network of
tracks, and handing him a small
package said:
"Now, my boy, get on that first car
and stay there; don't get off for any
one"
THANK you, sir; but if they put
me off, how can I stay on?"
Don't worry, they won't put you
off," So saying, he took Shrimp in his
arms and lifted him to the platform.
In so doing the mans lips brushed
the boys face, causing Shrimp to
again soliloquize: "He must have a
boy of his own The brakeman at the
same time was thinking, eff he is
ever thrown on the mercy of the rail-
road mon would want comaons to
give him a lift"
Meantime Shrimp was following in
structions. Curled up in a seat he
was preparing to drop off to sleep,
when he heard someone whispering.
Raising cautiously on one elbow, he
caught a glimpse of the man who had
put him on the train, and heard MIN
say to the man in uniform, "Pass him
on" He did not then catch the sig
nificance of the words, but later found
out what was meant. Lying down
again, he was soon fast asleep, dream |
ing of the big washing he was doing |
for his stepmother, and she was beat |
ing him again.
please, mamma, I'm washing the
things as fast as I can. IL
Tickets! Tickets, please"
Shrimp was now thoroughly fright
ened, and as visions of the conductor
throwing him from the train fitted
through his BRAIN he began to cry.
"P-l-e-a-s-e, l amt got no Trick
ets.''
"Well, what are you doing on this
train without a ticket? Where are you
yoing.''
Il want to go to my grandma"
"On, you're the youngster! WE'LL
ay down and go to sleep, and don't
get off this train for anyone; you'll
get through all right. Where does
your grandma live?"
I'm Kansas
Yes, 1 know; but what town." ,,
"Podunk is the name of the sta
ion"
There's no such station; try and
it any other name?" ..
well, sometimes they call it Strong
'ity."
"Oh, all right; I've got you now"
nd with that ne passed on down the
isle collecting, fares and tickets.
Again the tired lad dropped off to c
leep, and when he awoke the sun II
as high up in the sky. Instructive c
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-17

nut. beats the CnTtStIHdS uAuHci'
she used to cook" He took his time
enjoying every mouthful of the edibles
and, having satisfied the cravings o.
| the inner man, arose and started tt
leave the room, first thanking his nos
for the kindness shown him, believing
| the landlord had understood from thu
first that Shrimp Wa. pennlless. I'm
agine his surprise, then, to have the
hotel man don big, unpleasant frowr
and ask for the pay for the meal.
I'LL amt got no money" ingram
n,atically replied the boy. I thought
you knew that when I asked for the
| breakfast; but, sir, I'll wash the dishes
| for I'm good at that or I'll saw some
wood for you"
where are you going?"
Same old questionC Would he ever
get into a country where everyone
he met would not ask him whittier
he was bound? Everybody wanted to
and it was becoming tiresor,c ~'-- =
and with the long journey but fairly
begun. Fearing that if he told the
truth, he would be returned to Lead
vile, Shrimp had the audacity to tell
this man a little story.
'I'm goin' to my grandma"
where is she?"
"She lives in Kansas"
"Are you running away from
homer"
"N-N-o, sir"
"How does it happen that she is
back in Kansas and you're out here in
Colorado alone?"
'W-w-ell, you see, sir" he replied,
having Strengthened the thing out in
his own mind, 1--WE came out here to
visit some relatives and THAT is-she
left me out here with them, an now
I've got to get back, an amt got no
money to go on; if foks'll just give me
something to eat, I'll get through all
right
well, kid, I feel sorry for you, and
I'll tell you what to do: The pay car
goes through on it's way east, and you
can make it to Pueblo on that car.
When it>leaves the depot you be at
the section house, for they stop there to
pay off the section hands, and when it
starts, you just hop on the back end
and stick till they find YOU Then tell
~-AO-AA GIL cOOoC IL, tllcu IL take you
through with them to Pueblo"
Hardly had he finished speaking
when the shrill blast of a locomotive
whistle echoed through the frosty
morning air, and Shrimp scurried
down the track toward the section
house, as he had been instructed to |
do. |
The pay car stopped at the station
and all the station men and train men
rushed out and into the rear door of |
the car. Shrimp thought the man at
the hotel had told him wrong and that
the train would not stop at the section
house, but his fears were groundless
for the train started up and came to
stop at the section house as he was
old it would
When it started Shrimp was right
here and climbed on the rear platform
IND chung. 1t seemed a long time, and
was, oh, so cold. He was getting
leepy and was just beginning to get
ice and warm Wnen he felt himself
fted up, and up, and heard voice that
ounded a long way off, saying, Hes ;
live yet" There was a murmur of
olces growing louder and louder,
5hen Shrimp woke up. His feet be- ,
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-17

PILES CURED IN 6 TO IA DAYS
PAZO OINTMENT is guaranteed to
cure any case of Itching, Blind, Bleed
ing Or Protruding Piles in 6 to ii days
CT money refunded. soc.
The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-07-11
DEATH OF ALEXANDER cRAw.

Los ANGELES. June 30.-Alexander
Craw, former deputy State commission
er of horticulture, who was well known
TO thousands of the leading fruit-grow-
ers of California, was buried here this
afternoon. Craw had for the past four
years been Commissioner of Horticul-
ture of Hawaii He was distinguished
particularly for the strong part he
played in the long fight that resulted
in the discovery of beneficial insects for
the destruction of scale in orange orch
ards. In this direction it IS claimed
he accomplished more than any other
man. He leaves widow and four sons,
the eldest of whom. Roy Craw, is promi-
nent IN business circles in Honolulu.
The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-07-11
SHOUTS Of APPROVAL
FOR MADAME ARRAL

Madame Blanche Arral met with an
enthusiastic reception when she APP
peared at the Orpheum last night be-
tween the second and third acts of
The Silver King, and when she fin
ished her program the applause, which
had increased between each number,
had developed to an ovation.
Her selections were arranged to meet
the popular taste, opening with "Po-
lacca,'' from "'Mignon. and follow
ing with Violets,' after which fol-
lowed a song in Spanish called "Veri-
table Manola, - which is a very old
Moorish song descended from the
Gypsies.
The program closed with "Home,
Sweet Home. Never before had this
beautiful song been sung in Honolulu
with such effect. During the rendition
the audience was spell bound.
When an Orpheum gallery will listen
with death-like silence through an en-
tire number and then burst out with
the shouts of approval such as greeted
the great songstress, it was the highest
compliment that could possibly be paid
to her.
At the finish of "Home, Sweet
Home there were few dry eyes in the
audience, and it was easily seen that
the entire house was affected.
Too much can not be said in praise
of Madame Blanche Arral s voice. 1t
has all the requisites of a great prima
donna, but, best of all, it has the quail
ity that reaches the heart. and it is
safe to say that every person who
heard her last night will want TO hear
her again.
, Madame Blanche Arral will be heard
again on next Tuesday evening be-
tween the second and third acts of
o Why Smith Left Home