The San Francisco call., 1909-01-16

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showed TO advantage So much for
Hector Rollins Now let US give our
attention for a moment to the man AT
his side. seated at the table on which
stood the telegraph instrument.
He was Of mature age, and evi-
IDENTIFY the father OF the young
ster. Just now he was bending down
over his table, his arm on it's surfa Ace
and his hand covering the telegraph
key His two first fingers on the small,
round top piece. which assembled in
,. size a silver quarter OF a dollar, and
his thumb under II, the man began
rapidly sending his message. A close
observer. however. might have denoted
q slight unsteadiness of the hand.
A short time he kept sending rapidly
70 the operator on the other end OF the
wire. and then, swapping the small
steel lever under its receiver, he waited.
Tor a few moments after shutting his
own key he stood thus. expecting the
sOunder" 10 answer his message, then
with a troubled frown he turned to-
ward his son, who was waiting silently
by his side.
That's the first time that Bill hasn't
sent his Q. X at the end in a long
while" he said, rising rather unstead-
ily and facing the boy, and 1 hope
that" he broke OF sharply. as once
Hlore the troubled frown fitted over
his flushed face. Then
Wei, sonny, did you get what I
said2r he inquired, more cheerfully.
Yes. father" said Hector, speaking
for the first time. Hold No. is till
the express passes me at II:30%"
Right" approved his parent. "You'r re
improving. my dear Hector, because
that was fast sending"
I've been pounding steel particu-
,larly hard for the last two months, %
explained his son.
Well I suppose you're wondering
p. where your new bike is, Ell? The fact
IS went on the operator before his
son could reply, and in a sadder tone,
the fact is that-er- well-I can't get
YOU the wheel that I promised you.
But. quickly as he saw the look OF keen
disappointment that crossed the face of
the young wheelman, I positively will
get II for you AT later date. You see,
affairs haven't gone exactly right in
the past and L find myself short of
funds just now. ] reasoned that If you
would wait a month or so longer I'd
be better able 10 buy you the wheel. I
know how hard Il must be for you TO
bear this setback after fondly hoping
10 find your new wheel here waiting
for you this morning, but assure you.
.Hec. that I positively can't get you il
this time or 1 would gladly do So
'Oh. that's all right. father" his
son -hastened TO reply. hiding his dis
appointment as best he could i am
in no hurry at ali, and-and-well.
what's another month anyhow"
Good boy" and his parent brought
snis hand down rather forcibly on Hec-
tors shoulder. You may rest assured
that at the first opportune moment you
get your bicycle
,: A moment later they were standing
on the platform Of the small by-station
. was a small affair. nesting a short
distance from the track amid a
dlump OF huge oak trees. which cast a
friendly shade on the station from the
DOT noon sun At a distance Of a
quarter Of a mile down the shining
rails toward the south a sharp curve
suddenly shut the tracks from the
watchers gaze. Around this curve,
a little distance ahead, was where the
side rails Joined the main line. Here
ID was the wont Of No. IS, the through
passenger. after being given the signal
al Cairo. station five miles north. that
che express had already passed the
junction. to run on the sidetrack until
she reached the curve and swung into
the main line, with clear track ahead.
To the north the glistening steel
strips held undisputed. possession OF
the country as far as the eye could
see. finally losing themselves in the
shickly wooded hills beyond. II was
along this lay OF land 70 the north
that the broad public road ran with the
railroad tracks. side by side. II was
not always so, however. for although
the trains could easily scale the
steep hills. the road turned of now
and then. shutting out the view OF the
tracks for a time and then suddenly
rcappearing again.
And so it was that on this hot.
sunny day the Junior Rollins sprang on
his bicycle. and waving a CHEEKY fare
well TO his father standing on the edge
Of the small platform. began pedaIing
his way home, seven miles directly
north.
The elder Rollins stood looking at
his son until his broad back disap-
peared below a slight descent. the
speeding wheels leaving a cloud Of
dust TO settle gently down.
Good Kid that" he muttered thick
~. as he gazed at the rapidly disap
pearing pun Of dust. and he deserves
il. too. MY. but he is crazy about one
Of those pieces Of trash" With which
sOliiOouy he re-entered the station
house 10 await ll.3Q