The Democratic advocate., 1908-09-18
PLAYING A
HUNCH.
By COLIN S. COLLINS.
Copyrighted. 190S.' by Associated
Literary Press.


middle initial stood for "Goat" foI
inns cheerful desire to be of service
80 his fellow man was forever getting
him into trouble.
| His misfortune in this regard had
caused him to delay his declaration OF
love for Alma Sheldon. When man,
however innocently, is forever playing
the clown he does not stand an excel,
lent chance of being regarded as q
romantic and eligible person matri-
monially.
The worst of it was that Jimmie new
er learned by experience. He was as
ready as ever to change ten dollar
| bill for stranger after having been
caught with counterfeit the day be.
fore, and that he was not always swim
died was proof sufficient to him that
the world was not always to be regard
ed with suspicion.
And so it happened that when a
strange woman on the suburban sta
arms and begged him to take it to her
sister in the city Jim accepted his
charge.
"I'd ask some lady to take him." ex-
planned the woman, 'only there don't
seem to be none going in on this
train"
'eThat's all right" was Westoott's
cheerful response. There will be some
one on the train II I need help with
this little shaver, but he looks as
though he was going to be as good as
gold"
Followed by the woman's voluble
thinks, Jimmie climbed aboard the
train and hoped that none Of his set
would select the same car.
He did not dare go near the smoker,
80 he ensconced himself In the rear seat
of the last car and thanked his good
fortune that the through train stopped
at the stations most favored by the
people he knew. Those who, like him.
self, were going to the Tavor-Hard-
ing wedding would prefer the exclu-
siveness of the Pullmans carried on
the more important train.
The baby was good tempered and
playful, and Westcott was having the
time Of his life when the train came to
a halt at the first station and an in
coming passenger uttered a shout and
bore down upon him. 1t was Ben
Royster, with a party Of the wedding
guests.
"Look who's herew he shouted, at
tracing the attention Of his compan-
IONS This Is rich, Jim. never sup
posed that you would fall for the aban-
donment game"
"His mother is to meet me at the
station" explained Westcott, misera-
bly, conscious of the fact that Miss
Sheldon had boarded the train. "She
couldn't afford the fare to come out
and get the child. He's been having
vacation In the country at his aunt's
because the hot weather in town Is bad
for him."
"That's a better story than the aver
age" agreed his tormentor. when you
get to town, Jim, turn him over to the
desk sergeant at the nearest station
house. You'll be late for the wedding
by the time that you have explained
all about It"
"How did you come to be on this
train?' demanded Westcott. 81 had in
tended to run down to your station
and take the express myself"
'Train was late, and the stop was
cut out" explained Ben Royster. eve
kicked when we heard It, but we are
glad now. wouldn't have missed this
for million Pullman cars"
The noisy speech and the presence of
the score Of people crowding about
Westcott's seat reused the tiny trav-
eler. His eyes wrinkled, and from the
button Of a mouth there was emitted
yell which was scarcely heard above
the delighted shouts of the little au-
dience. The fresh outburst started the
child in earnest, and Westcott looked
miserable.
vainly he sought to quiet the child
with his watch and q bright silver
coin. Neither the ticking nor the sn-
very chime Of the repeater stilled the
cries, and at last Alma Sheldon came
to his rescue.
She drove into their seats the crowd
of tormentors and then took her place
beside Westcott. Her golden chate-
laine proved more efflcacious than the
watch, and presently the baby's cries
were stilled, to Westeotts great relief.
Hes a splendid little fellow" he
declared. He'll be as good as gold Ii
Royster keeps out of the way"
"He's a fine little chap" she assent
ed, ''but don't you think that you
were little bit-er-incautiou to take
charge of strange child? There are
SO many abandonments, You know"
"Not Bit" insisted Westcott "Of
course there are inhuman mothers
but, you see, this wasn't his mother
but his aunt"
Miss Sheldon smiled at the explana.
ton.
"You could see that she was worried
because there We're no women coming
into town." Westcott went on. "She
told me 1 could find some one to look
out for him on the train. OF course
didn't suppose that I should run into
all of youth fact. was thinking only
about the poor mother who was walt
ing there in town for the baby she
hadn't seen in three weeks. just fan
~ not seeing child for three weeks
and then being disappointed because
there was no one to take 1t at the
other endp'
rha lost now - tho aentence was