The Washington herald., 1909-01-24

MortOn's eyes widened and in their gray depths
there was sort Of terror You? Boy. what
you talking about?" he asked.
4 up on the boiler OF the engine signaling 10
the holster. you know" said Dippy. We'll. !
standing up the boiler With my face the lower
block Of the fall and tackle the engine being
swung toward the skids idea flashed through my
mind, idea Of great invention It seemed to clutch
and wiring my brain, and I gave the wrong signal. 1
had in my hand small piece Of bar iron that had
picked Up. intending 10 make a magnet OF IL when
went home. Seeing that the engine swinging the
wrong way and being confused by the strange scheme
that had entered my head stuck the piece Of iron
between the left guide cable and the pulley the
block in order to increase the friction and help check
the draw Of the cable The piece Of iron wedged the
sheave suddenly that the cable snapped, and the
engine swung round 20 the right and crushed the paer
and you against the wall It's all my fault-because
crazy notions come into my brain sometimes. and
forget what doing"
The big machinist looked down at his right hand,
lying upon the counterplane his other hand and arm
in plaster cast, three OF ribs were broken
and he had suffered internal injuries After time
he looked up az Dippy-
Have you told Fonda?" he asked slowly
Yes. He has discharged me I-I-ought 20 be
in the pententiary said the youth. twisting his
hands together in an agony Of self-reprOach
Morton turned his eyes away and looked for
time al lighted lamp stand the foot Of the
bed At length he turned HIS eyes back TO the boy.
Tommy and Susie and violet-they've got mother,
you know"
YES faItered Dippy. with dry lips. I've thought
Of that"
If die it'll be bad-pretty hard for them"
y know. III give every cent I can earn TO them.
Dippy stopped. distraught unable to speak, his
lower lip twitching.
Morton looked at the counterpane. for time. with
unseeng eyes his chest slowly heaving- What sort
OF q thing il? What kind Of idea struck YOU
when you-when you forgot and-and made the mis-
take?" he asked
The youth pulled himself together" It occurred
to me- seemed TO see the engine drivers magnezed
on up grades cIutching rails with usual
power and so pulling much heavier trains and doing
away entirely with the use Of sand Il seemed to me
great idea"
Morton lifted his eyes to the young fellows face
Despite his pain fearful injury the boys forget
fulness had brought him, admiration shOne in his
gaze
I don't wonder that you forgot-that you blum
dered,7 he said ~ II you could apply the idea-Inake
it work-it would certain put you to the front every
way He pushed his free hand toward Dippy, and the
young fellow grasped and bowed his face upon It.
You didn't TO do the damage" Morton went
1t was an accident; whatever happens know you'll
CO right Tears from Dippys cheeks into the hO-
low Of the mans calIoused hand
Later when Dippy came out Of the bedroom into
the living Of the Morton cottage Susie,
eight years Of age and Tommy. curly headed of
three summers. we're asleep in rocking chair The
little girl had been rocking the boy mother might
rock baby, and slumber had fallen upon them To-
gether- Violet brown haired girl Of seventeen. with
serious, tender face and eyes that Dppy always had
thought most beautiful preparing to put the chill
dren 20 bed Dppy looked them. deeply touched
Violet had been coming and going throughout the
evening busy with the hOUseworS and waiting upon her
father She glanced at Dippy's troubled face When
this tall youth looked at her with his clear eyes her
own always had fallen; between them lay great
derness, sweet regard Of which both conscious
but Of which no word ever had been spoken. Now
what # Morton should die,
Dippy in front Of her, put his hands upon
her shoulders and looked down her averted face He
was trembling and white.
Violet, did hear what 7 said-what I told your
father?" he asked
She remained looking down. her body utterly still
Yes, I heard" Her voice was dry and scarcely
audible
III do my best-Tu Try with all my might to
make 1t right said Dippy, huskfy
She lifted her eyes looked into his longer than
al any other time since she had known him Suddenly
her eyes filed with tears. You have no work now;
they've discharged your she said
Yes"
Then III get Uncle Dave to give you position;
think ne viii. If ask him"
Dippy felt something rise into his throat. some
thing sweet but choking And you'd do this?-youd
help me after what have done?~ He half whispered
the words
You didn't mean II; Il was an-an accident" she
said. still looking at him pityingly.
Dippy's fingers tightened her shoulders then ne
turned abruptly and went out, unable 10 speak The
kindness Of these people snote him Ike mighty melt
ing breath, something that fell upon him warm
delicious, vet filed him with abject humility.
Before breakfast the next morning Violet hurried
loWn the hillside and across the town to the home Of
OaVld Praag, the tank man." Prang had charge OF
al the pumps and watertanks the Central
ne was Big, Gaunt man, rough and strong a Hon:
but Violet was his dead sisters child and her appeal
for Dippy its way
All right my kitten I'll put him in charge Of the
pump and tank at Ball Bridge" he at last said. at
Vii be solitary connement-next thing being in the
7enitentary He ought 10 be confined and allowed