Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-01-14
PLAYING A
HUNCH.
BY COLIN S. COLLINS.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

middle initial stood for Goat" for
Jim's cheerful desire to be of service
to his fellow man was forever getting
him into trouble
His misfortune in this regard had
caused him to delay his declaration of
love for Alma Sheldon. When man,
however innocently, is forever playing
the clown he does not stand an excel
lent chance of being regarded as a
romantic and eligible person matri-
monially.
The worst of it was that Jimmie new
er learned by experience. He was as
ready as ever to change a ten dollar
bill for a stranger after having been
caught with a counterfeit the day be-
fore, and that he was not always swim
died was proof sufficient to him that
the world was not always to be regard
ed with suspicion.
And so it happened that when
strange woman on the suburban sta
ton platform thrust a child in his
arms and begged him to take it to her
sister in the city Jim accepted his
charge.
planned the woman, "only there don't
seem to be none going in on this
train''
That's all right was Westcott's
cheerful response. 'There will be some
one on the train If l need help with
this little shaver, but he looks as
though he was going to be as good as
gold.'
Followed by the womans voluble
thinks, Jimmie climbed aboard the
train and hoped that none of his set
would select the same car.
He did not dare go near the smoker,
so he ensconced himself in the rear seat
of the last car and thanked his good
fortune that the through train stopped
at the stations most favored by the
people he knew Those who, like him
self, were going to the Tavor-Hard-
ing wedding would prefer the exclu-
siveness of the Pullmans carried on
the more important train.
The baby was good tempered and
playful, and Westcott was having the
time of his life when the train came to
halt at the first station aud an in
coming passenger uttered shout and
bore down upon him. 1t was Ben
Royster, with a party of the wedding
guests.
Look who's herev' he shouted, at
tracing the attention of his compan-
ions. 'sThis is rich, Jim. never sup
posed that you would fall for the aban-
donment game"
"His mother is to meet me at the
station explained Westcott, misera-
bly, conscious of the fact that Miss
Sheldon had boarded the train. "She
couldn't afford the fare to come out
and get the child. He's been having
vacation in the country at his aunt's
because the hot weather in town is bad
for him."
That's a better story than the aver
age" agreed his tormentor. when you
get to town, Jim, turn him over to the
desk sergeant at the nearest station
house. You'll be late for the wedding
by the time that you have explained
all about it."
"How did you come to be on this
train?' demanded Westcott. 81 had in
tended to run down to your station
and take the express myself"
Train was late, and the stop was
cut out" explained Ben Royster "We
kicked when we heard it, but we are
glad now. / wouldn't have missed this
for million Pullman cars
The noisy speech and the presence of
the score of people crowding about
Westcott's seat reused the tiny trav-
eler. His eyes wrinkled, and from the
button of mouth there was emitted a
yell which was scarcely heard above
the delighted shouts of the little au-
dience. The fresh outburst started the
miserable
Vainly he sought to quiet the child
with his watch and bright silver
coin. Neither the ticking nor the sill
very chime of the repeater stilled the
cries, and at last Alma Sheldon came
to his rescue.
She drove into their seats the crowd
of tormentors and then took her place
beside Westcott Her golden chate-
laine proved more efficacious than the
watch, and presently the baby's cries
were stilled, to Westcott's great relief.
He's a splendid little fellow" he
declared. Hell be as good as gold if
Royster keeps out Of the way
He's a fine little chap" she assent
ed, "but don't you think that you
were little bit-er-incautiou to take
charge of strange child? There are
so many abandonments, you know"
Not bit" insisted Westcott "Of
course there are inhuman mothers;
but, you see, this wasn't his mother,
but his aunt
Miss Sheldon smiled at the explana-
ton.
'sYou could see that she was worried
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