Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-01-15
s'S s SSETAE5F's
When the Red Headed Boy Lost a
G0od Thing.

He's a dandy feller," said the small
boy with very red head to his mate
With the grimy countenance. you
5etcher he's all right! The old man
don't think so, but he's got a crouch
agin him fer suthin'."
Whats the old man got it in fer
him fer?" asked the boy with the
grimy cOuntenance.
Search me-" replied his red-headed
friend. Hes allus gittin' crouch
gin somebody. He whaled me the
other day because l licked the Miller
kid, and yesterday he whaled me
cause Jimmy Hefferman had given me
l1ckin'.
Don't matter what feller does, he
amt satisfied He's allus whalfn' me
fer suthin, and l amt goin' to stand
much more of it. I'm going to run
away"
Where you goin'?" inquired the
other boy, eagerly.
''Oh, out west somewheres," replied
the red-headed one, largely. ''Tll git
some money from Bill and light out ;"
He won't give you any money"
said the grimy-faced boy.
"He won't, eh? You watch me when
he comes along, and see If he won't.
can get money from him any time"
"Chee! he must be a peach!"
Amt l tellin' you? Sure he's all
right Any time 1 want dime or a
quarter, all l need Is to go to Bill and
asst him for it, He gave me the tick
cts for that pony circus"
"Chee!" exclaimed the other boy
again, enviously.
Sure, and he brings me candy most
every time he comes around. can do
anythin' l wanter with him. l put a
cupful Of flour in his hat the other
night when he was here, and he put
it on before he noticed it, and then
gave him the laugh, but he didn't care.
Belle grabbed me an was goin' to
make mother give me a lickin', but he
wouldn't let her."
He's chasin' after Belle, amt he?"
inquired the grimy-faced boy.
The other nodded Il guess that's
what makes the old man sore," he
said.
Think he'll give you quarter
when he comes out ?" inquired the
grimy-faced boy, anxiously.
Sure thing he'll give it to me-" said
the red-headed one, confidently. He
amt never turned me down yet"
Il wish he'd come OUT
Whats your rush?" asked the red
headed boy. "He amt been in but
about ten minutes, an he most gen
orally stays an hour. He chases HIM
self just afore the old man gets home.
and he won't be home till about five
o'clock Bellies got it down fine"
why don't you go IN an asst him
fer it,"
The red-headed boy glared at his
importunate friend Indignantly. 'Aw.
what's de matter wild your" he de-
manded Who's dom this? If
you know any better graft than I've
got you'd better work it. Think
want to &C buttin' in on 'em? Well,
guess not"
That's all right" said the grimy
faced boy You don't need to get mad
about it. l jest thought If you could
get the money We could get right
away. Think he'd give you half
dollar If you asst him? l guess he
wouldn't, though"
'I guess he would" said the red
headed boy. Il bet if wanted dol
lar he'd give it to me. He would If he
knew what was good fer him, an I
guess he does. l could get it from
Belle, too, if she had it."
IF l knowed where l could get
dollar you betcher l wouldn't hang
back" said the grimy-faced boy. "a
teller could have lots OF fun with
dollar. Say, amt this him a-comin'
noW?"
Sure" replied the red-headed boy.
Say, you jest watch me-"
He concealed himself by the foot OF
the steps, which young man with a
very gloomy face was briskly descend
ing. AS the young man reached the
sidewalk the red-headed boy emitted a
wild whoop and clutched and twined
himself about the young mans legs,
nearly upsetting him.
Hello, Bill" he cried. "Give me a
dollar, Bill-Ooo-oo-ooh. What yuh
doin'? Sto-o-op that"
Bill had jerked him roughly away
and was shaking MIN with good deal
of vigor.
"You little dickens!" growled the
young man. IF you ever do that again
I'll take the hide off you I'm not fool
ing. I've stood your monkey tricks
about as long as l intend to-
He gave the boy one more shake, and
then. releasing him, walked rapidly
away.
Say, what's the matter with that
guy?" asked the grimy faced boy. Il
guess you amt so solid with him. as
you thought you was"
The red-headed boy stood staring
after Bill for moment or two before
he replied; then conviction of the
truth seemed to dawn upon him.
"Tll bet. b'jee, him an Bellies had
split up," he said. mournfully."