Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-06-29
SIS L RS
3 EAU
When the Red Headed Boy Lost a
Good Thing.


Whats the old man got it in fer
lim fer?" asked the boy with the
,rimy countenance.
Search me-" replied his red-headed
friend. He's allus gittin' a crouch
tgin somebody. He whaled me the
other day because licked the Miller
kid, and yesterday he whaled me
cause Jimmy Hefferman had given me
lickin'.
Don't matter what feller does, he
amt satisfied. He's allus whalin' me
fer suthin', and 1 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. 'Pll 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 peach!"
Amt tellin' you? Sure he's all
right. Any time l want dime or a
quarter, all 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' I wanter with him. / put a
cupful Of flour in his hat the other
night when he was here, and he put
it on before he noticed 1t, and then l
gave him the laugh. but he didn't care.
Belle grabbed me an was goin' to
make mother give me lickin', but he
wouldn't let her."
He's chasin' after Belle, amt her
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 it7"
The red-headed boy glared at his
importunate friend Indignantly. Jaw,
what's de matter wild your" he de-
manded. Who's dom this? II
you know any better graft than I've
got you'd better work it. Think /
want to go buttin' in on emf Well.
guess not"
That's all right" said the grimy
faced boy. 'You don't need to get mad
about 1t. jest thought if you could
get the money We could get right
away. Think he'd give you half
dollar II you asst him? I guess he
wouldn't, though"
II guess he would" said the red
headed boy. II bet If wanted dol
lar he'd give it to me. He would II he
knew what was good fer him, an l
guess he does. I could get it from
Belle, too. If she had It,"
'Tf I knowed where could got q
dollar you betcher I wouldn't hang
back" said the grimy-facsd boy. "a
feller could have lots OF fun with q
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 him 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. 81
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 a conviction of the
truth seemed to dawn upon him.
"I'll bet, b'jee, him an Bellies had
split up." he said, mournfully."