Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-07-31

"The He'll You wouIdl- Cried Du
Sang.
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 II In his own. Talking
low TO the little fellow, he got his
attention after much patient effort and
got aim TO speak He made him.
though struggling with terror. 30 I'M
derstand that he had come to 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
I was frying the ham. and l heard
them shooting"
See how he took care Of you TIL
the last minute. and left something
for you after he was gone. Suppose
he could speak now. don't you think
he would want YOU TO do as I say2 1
am your next friend now. for YOU are
going 20 be 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 90 be afraid"
did he?"
"He said Whispering Smith was
coming"
My poor boy"
He is coming. don't be afraid. Do
you know Whispering Smiths He is
coming. The meR tonight all said he
was coming"
The little fellow for a long time
could not be coaxed away from his
father. but his companion az length
got him TO the kitchen. When they
came back 90 the bedroom the strange
man was talking TO him once more
about his father We must try to
think how he would like things done
now, mustn't We? All OF US felt SO bad
when we rode I'm and had so much TO
do we couldn't attend TO taking care
OF your father. Did you know there
are two men out at the crossing now.
guarding IL with rides? But II you and
! keep real quiet we can do something
for him while the men are asleep:
they have 10 ride all day tomorrow.
We must wash his face and hands.
don't YOU think so? And brush his
hair and his beard. II you could 5ust
find the basin and some water and a
towel-yOu couldn't find a brush. could
you? Could YOU honestlys Wen.
call that a good boy-we shall have to
have you on the railroad, sure. We
must try 10 dnd some fresh clothes
these are cut and stained: then I will
change his clothes. and we shall all
feel better. Don't disturb the men:
they are tired"
They worked together by the candle
light When they had done, the boy
had violent crying spell. but Whisper
ing Smith got him 70 lie down beside
him on blanket spread on the floor.
where Smith got his back against the
sod wall and took the boys head in his
arm. He waited patiently for the boy
10 60 to sleep. but Dan was AFRAID the
murderers would come back. Once he
lifted his head in a confidence. Did
you know my daddy used 70 run an
engineer"
mo. did not; but in the morning
you must tell me all about it,"
Whenever there was noise in the
next room the child reused. After some
time new voice was heard; Kennedy
had come and was asking questions
Wake up here. somebody! Where is
Whispering SMITH"
Dancing answered: He's right
there IN the bedroom, Farrell. staying
with the boy"
There was some stirring. Kennedy
talked little and at length stretched
himself on the floor When all was
still again. Dannie's hand crept slow
ly from the breast OF his companion
UP to his chin. and the little hand, feel
ing softly every feature. stole over the
strange face.
What Is It, Dannie?"
Are you Whispering Smith,"
Eyes. Dannie. Shut your eyes"
At three o'clock, when Kennedy
lighted candle and looked in, Smith
was sitting with his back against the
wall. The boy lay on his arm. Both
were fast asleep. On the bed the dead
man lay with a handkerchief over his
face.