Evening star., 1909-04-17

auntie's house. And I'll run up the steps
and ring the doorbell, and mamma will
say to auntie: I wonder II that's the
doctor or . caller?' And the maid will
room and say: Here's your little girlie
on her sixth birthday. mamma. On.
won't that be q happy surprise for mann
ma? And then she'll say: What about
the party this afternoon? And I'll ask
her to telegram papa and grandmamma
that am in the city but to let the party
go right on. and let Estelle johnson take
my place and look after everything, and
put my birthday presents away for me-:
Tickets" said a big voice In the aisle
the conductor taking up the PASSENGERS
tickets. Not having bought ticket. Rosie
took from her purse the silver dollar.
Once when she and her mamma were go
station too late to procure tickets before
boarding the train, and she had seen her
mamma pay money to the conductor In
stead Of handing him tickets. So she in
tended adopting the same method. ;.
The conductor stopped beside the seat
occupied by Rosie. but he spoke to
woman who sat across the aisle from
Rosie. Tickets. ma'am." The woman
handed him ticket. which he took and
punched. Then he said: Ticket for your
81 have no little girl" snapped the
woman. looking sharply at the conductor.
I'm travelling alone. sir"
well, whose child is this?" asked the
conductor, speaking to the woman, and
pointing toward Rosie.
I'm Mr.. Jackson's little girl. sir"
spoke up Rosie, not waiting for the Wom-
an to reply to tho conductor.
And is your father travelling in the
smoker" asked the conductor Of Rosie.
Papa isn't travelling at all today" ex-
planned Rosie. II am going to the city
to visit my mamma and aunt. Here 10
some money. sir. 1 didn't get q ticket.
And Rosie handed the silver dollar to the
conductor
'But where are you going?" asked the
conductor looking at the silver dollar
"Ard why didn't your father see to get
ting your ticket? You're mighty little
trick Of girl to be travelling alone pa.,.
Going to Al" and the conductor
opened his eyes very wide. why. my
child, this train is going in different
direction. Our next stop Is Danton. nifty
miles from here. What did your father
wrong train?"
',My papa didn't know 1 was going to
visit my mamma" said Rosie. blush
of confusion crossing her face. But
please let me off, sir, and I'll run back
to the station and get on another train
"Why. my child, l can't stop this train
till we reach the next station. This Is
limited train and every minute counts.
Besides, we're now fifteen miles from
where you live. No. you'll have to 60 on
to Danton, where I'll put you OF and IN
struct the station master to put you
aboard the next eastern-bound train ana
to have the conductor take you in charge.
This is q pretty mess, little girl. you're
a runaway, and just a baby, at that
"But-but-oh. please, sir, l must get
Off and go back to my home. creo
Rosie. Papa will be crazy about me
when he doesn't hear from me- II
had gone to A mamma would nave
telegramed to papa. and that would nave
made 1t all right"
whats your fathers name, little one Z
asked the conductor, taking pencil ana
a slip of paper from his pocket. III
wire from Danton that you are safe anu
sound, and that you'll be home on the
$40 train this afternoon. Here, give me
this dollar to pay for the wire. III
give you the change. AS for your fare
well. your father will fix that-if there's
any fare due the company. I'm IN DOUBT
about that, for you should not have been
permitted to get on the train alone
You're under even half-fare rate and not
supposed to travel alone"
Rosie felt somewhat relieved when.
about two hours later, she stood In the
station at Danton and saw the big con-
ductor write out a telegram to her father.
And the conductor put her In the care OF
the station agent, q very nice man, VINO
gave her some chewing gum and VINO
telephoned to his own little daughter 10