The Washington times., 1909-05-08

I tiously refrainiug froIn reading the
words written undernealh-and the rest
Of the articles seemed undisturbed. So
he was satisfied to let the matter drop,
thanking his good fortune for his easy
success.
Now interested in the dark man, ard
determined not to sleep again--as it was
! already morning and he feared a repe-
tition of his loss-he kept the fellow in
view. He was soon rewarded for his
surveillance. AS the train came to a
stop before a small country station, he
saw the foreigner pick up his roll Of
blankets, cast one disgusted look back
over his shoulder, and leave the car.
, Jim's last sight Of him was through the
car window. as his ragged figure
slouched around the corner Of the sta
tion.
The next time the boy saw this dis
gusting figure there was no slouch in
his attitude. but the keenest satisfac-
ton.
Undlsturbed by further incident, the
young man passed the next three hours
alternately thinking of the bag and Of
his future life. At last the brakeman
announced "Chanton.' and Jim alight-
ed from the car, eager to begin his new
| life.
| PWith characteristic energy he at once
inquired the way to the express Of
! flee, anxious to discharge the first duty
which lay to hand. It was a short walk.
but when at laEt he stood on the busi-
ness street of the town, an unpleasant
spectacle presented itself
| In every direction stretched the ruins
Of what had lately apparently been a
| busy village Temporary wooden struc-
lures had been erected in the most am
ateur fashion. and after overcoming his
wonder at the sight of a whole district
| burned almost 10 the ground, Jim sue
| ceeded in finding the express office.
Here he wrapped the bag in strong
paper, addressed and presented It to the
clerk, to be forwarded to the unknown
girl of the glorious eyes
The expressman had just come from
the train which had brought Jim to
town. and eyed the ad dress as he re-
moved his coat preparatory to doing
the work Of the office Before delivering
the lately arrived packages.
Funny" he remarked. reading the
name. The Mrs. Gordon you're sendin'
this to just came home this mornin'."
''What2' exclaimed the boy. why ]
4
You prob'bly want in the sleepin'
car" replied the other. glancing at the
young mans iII-kept attire.
| mo"
wall. she's here anyway. Want ter
send It jest the same?"
''No. Til deliver Il myself II you will
tell me where she lives"
| Arter giving Jim a detailed account
OF the various streets which he must
traverse in order to reach Mrs. Cor
don's home the clerk commented upon
the recent fire which had played such
havoc with the town.
Don't know how it started" he said
"but we know as how IT nearly busted
the place"
DO you suppose / can find a jot
here7' inquired Jim, timidly.
Sure; there'n be lots o. work buildin
up"
with this satisfactory information jim
left the office thinking that he would
at once seek cut Mrs. Gordon and re-
turn her property. But the unconlfort-
able feeling resulting from a night spent
in the train made his shabby clothing
seem even more uninviting than it was,
and, remembering his dollar and four
teen cents, he inquired the way to the
cheapest hotel in the place, determined
TO bathe. breakfast and try to freshen
up a bit
The only hotel which had escaped the
fire proved to be at some distance, but
Jim reached II at last, and for twenty
five cents obtained permission TO make