The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-13
THE EVENING STORY
Saving Jimmie.
CBy Lulu Johnson.)

Paste her on the trade mark. Skin
| n.y." uged the captain Of the team. and
Skinny. otherwise Master James Tread
gear. being ever mindful of advice,
| pasted" the sphere with such good ef-
| feet that the ball sailed over the stone
! wall at the far end Of the lot.
This changed jubilation into regret.
for not even three scores brought in by
| the home run Offset the fact that
Skinny had knocked a f1fty-cent ball
over the wall into the coloners gar
| den.
Billy sniffen. who had been cajoled
into loaning his new ball to the big
fellows" some of whom were all of
twelve years Of age. let out a roar a.
| the sudden disappearance Of his prop
erty.
Balls that went over the high stone
barrier which surrounded the property
of the peppery Col Moulton were re-
garded as good as lost. None Of the
boys dared brave the wrath Of the re-
tired officer in search Of lost property.
Col Moulton would have been re-
garded as an ogre by medieval youth,
The smaller lads firmly believed that
he liked to kill children and when
dusk had fallen they hurried past his
house lest he spring out and seize
them.
Now at the disappearance Of the ball
| ners up to the home plate and Joined
in the volley of reproach directed
toward the unfortunate Skinny.
You told me to paste her." he re-
minded the scowling captain.
Il didn't tell you to knock her over
Poor Bil1y's mall lick him when he
goes. home without that ball."
This was an angle from which the
unfortunate William had not hitherto
viewed his loss, and it caused his grief
to double.
you better skip over the fence and
get it." decreed the captain, and the
gang shuddered.
Like +~'-~ desnot the captain Gould
not he induced TO alte~ his command,
and though he weakened perceptibly IS
they drew near the fatal wall. he az
fected nonchalance he did not feel.
and bending over he formed his hands
into a stirrup in which the trembling
Skinny placed his foot.
With a heave the boy shot up until
his fingers grasped the wall, but he
could not hold, and came tumbling
back, carrying the captain to the
ground with him.
II can't do it," pleaded Skinny, but
You gotter." he insisted. made
heartless by skinned elbow. Get up
there or we'll thrown you over"
The threat had its due effect. Skin
ny chung -shivering to the top of the
wall for a moment, then he tumbled
over on the other side, and in a mo-
ment the air was pierced by shrieks of
agony so shrill and terrified that the
gang fed incontinently toward the
street. with the doughty captain well
in the lead.
AS they reached the sidewalk and
turned to reconnoiter, Skinny's sister
Lucy came down the street, and paused
to regard the boys inquiringly.
Where is Jimmie?" she demanded
Of the captain.
The captain hung his head.
That's him." he confessed with a
jerk of his thumb in the direction OF
the spot whence Jimmie's screams still
proceeded.
I'VE boosted Jimmie over the wall to
get a ball he lost, and guess the col
onePs killing him."
The entrance to the stone-encircled
park Of the Moulton place was on the
other street, and with the gang trail
ing after her Lucy ran toward the gate.
The boys were there before her, but
made way that she might approach the
dreaded portal. Every one OF her at
tendants admired the courage and de-
termination with which she pressed the
button of the electric bell.
Her finger was still on the porcelain
knob when the gate was thrown open,
and a young man, hatless and without
his coat, appeared in the aperture. He
started DdCh cSo iiS PSASSANS0 eAAS ~
HAS any one gone for a doctor?" he
cried.
rs a physician needed?" asked Lucy,
with sinking heart. 1t was worse than
she had feared. The savage old col
onel must have carried his punishment
for trespass to an excess that had re-
suited in serious injury.
s.Some of you boys run for a doctor,
Quick" commanded the young man
fellow has hr0-
The entire gang raced up the
street after the physician, and Lucy
was left alone with the stranger.
May ! come Ing" she demanded ees,
have injured"
"You viii be most welcome" was
the courteous reply. my fathers
household does not include any
women and I was somewhat at loss
Lieut. Paul Moulton," he added by
way Of introduction. my father is
Col. Moulton, and 1 am visiting him
on leave"
II am Lucy Treadgear," an
nounced Lucy in response. 1T is my
brother. James, whom you have in
iured.''
Moulton stepped aside to permit
her to enter, and, arrer closing the
gate, he led the way INTO the house.
where Jimmie lay on sofa in the
library with the white-haired old SOL
der leaning over him and trying to
soothe his fear.
He seems to be more frightened
than hurt" explained the colonel as
he gave place to Lucy. land a broken
leg is no joke at that"
mo wonder" was the indignant re-
Spouse, when it is known that you
have shot at several boys. 1t is for
tunate that you did no more than
break his leg-fortunate for you,
mean" she added In explanation.
BLESS your pretty face, had moth
ing to do with It," declared the
| colonel. "As for the shooting, a few
blank cartridges and my consequent