Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-09-02

IN in the Cache FOR the nlgDr. Inc
sheriff's men were sleeping on the
floor of the living room when Smith
came in from the kitchen. He sat
down before the fire. At intervals sobs
came from the bedroom where the
body lay. and after listening a mo-
ment, whispering Smith got stifly UP.
and. tiptoeing 10 still the jingle of his
spurs, took the candle from the table.
pushed aside the curtain. and entered
the bedroom.
The little boy was lying on his face,
with his arm around his fathers neck,
talking 10 him. Whispering Smith bent
a moment over the bed. and, setting
the candle on the table. put his hand
on the boys shoulder. He disengaged
the hand from the cold neck, and sit
ting down took it in his own. Talking
low 10 the little fellow, he got his
attention after much patient effort and
got him to speak. He made him,
though struggling with terror, to I'M
derstand that he had come 10 be his
friend, and after the child had sobbed
his grief into a strange heart he ceased
to tremble. and told his name and his
story, and described the two horse
men and the horses they had left.
Smith listened quietly. Have you had
any supper, Dannie? No? You must
have something TO eat Can't you eat
anything? But there is a nice pan Of
fresh milk in the kitchen"
A burst of tears Interrupted him.
"Daddie just brought in the milk, and
l was frying the ham. and | heard
them shooting"
See how he took care of you till
the last minute, and left something
for you after he was gone Suppose
he could speak now, don't you think
be would want you to do as | say? |
am your next friend now, for you are
going to be a railroad man and have a
big engine"
Dannie looked up. Dad wasn't
afraid Of those men"
Wasn't he, Dannie?"
He said we would be all right and
not to be afraid"
Did hs?"
He said Whispering Smith was
coming"
MY poor boy
He is coming, don't be afraid. Do
you know Whispering Smith? He is
coming. The men tonight all said he
was coming
The little fellow for a long time
could not be coaxed away from his
father, but his companion at length
got him to the kitchen, When they
came back 10 the bedroom the strange
man was talking to him once more
about his father. I'VE must Try 10
think how lie would like things done
now, mustn't We? All of us felt so bad
when We rode in and had SO much to
do we couldn't attend to taking care
OF your father. Did you know there
are two men ont al the crossing now,
guarding il with rifles? But il you and
| keep real quiet we can do something
for him while the men are asleep;
they nave to ride all day tomorrow
We must wash his face and hards,
don't you think SO? And brush his
hair and his beard. If you could Just
find the basin and some water and a
towel-you couldn't find a brush. could
you? Could YOU honestly? Well, ]
call that a good boy-we shall have 70
have you on the railroad. sure. We
must try to find some fresh clothes
these are cut and stained: then | will
change his clothes, and we shall all
feel better. Don't disturb the men;
they are tired"
They worked together by the candle
lisht. When they had done. the boy
had a violent crying spell, but Whisper
ing Smith got him to lie down beside
him on a blanket spread on the floor,
where Smith got his back against the
sod wall II took the boys head in his
arm. He waited patiently for the boy
to go 10 sleep, but Dan was afraid the
murderers would come back. Once he
lifted his head In a confidence. did
you know my daddy used to run an
engipe?'
mo. | did not; but In the morning
you must tell me all about It."
Whenever there was a noise in the
next room the child reused, After some
time q new voice a heard; Kennedy
had come and was asking questions
Wake mp here, somebody! Where Is
Whispering SMITH"
Dancing answered: Hes right
there In the bedrsam. Farrell STAYING