Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-01-20
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A Pudding In
Distress.
BY FANNIE klfDBURY PENDLETON.
. - ,
Copyrighted. 1903, by Associated
Literary Press.

Cartwright and caused him to rush
across the station platform just as
tas last passenger climbed aboard the
lf,i2 II so. then fate was materially
as SID by little old lady over
wibr Ec nearly stumbled and who
wiiGlg tlu. he'll his arm.
She VAS very much out of breath,
20 her ha': had blown free from her
l. Aset until the stray locks stood out
Il +" wintry winds like Il silver halo
- she cried breathlessly. "Eiy
srs 2ddaughter has forgotten the
Christmas pudding. She's on the
train. Will you please give 1t to her?
Her names on the wrapper"
Cartwright mechanically accepted
the pudding thus thrust upon him.
Promise to put it into her own
hands" pleaded the little old lady
anxieusly.
Cartwright nodded as he clutched
the railing of the last car and pulled
himself up. AS the train swept around
the curve he caught last glimpse OF
her face. Her eyes were fixed upon
the package under his arm
II actually believe she thinks l want
her old pudding" grinned Cartwright
"She doesn't trust me-"
The train, which was the last local
for the city. was crowded with would
be shoppers, with homegoers and
guests bound cityward. Every seat
was occupied. At last Cartwright
found place beside young woman
who obligingly made room for him and
Immediately resumed the study Of the
snowy landscape through which the
train was rushing
Cartwright glanced casually at her
voluminous brown veil; then his eyes
fell to the travelling pudding. and he
turned over the package to find the
name
1t was written In a fine. old fash
Toned hand and read. MARY Lang.
1919 Essex place."
A pucker appeared between his eyes
and babe fair to develop into scowl
when he became conscious that the
gaze of the girl was fixed likewise
upon the package.
you don't happen to be Miss Mary
Lang. do you?"
The girl turned very pretty and
astonished face toward him.
"You see," he continued eagerly, Il
don't know a soul at the station where
| got unchanged cars there and near
ly got left. Just as | was making for
the train lady requested me to deliv-
er this 1t is a pudding" he explained
impressively, land from the evident
value set upon 1t by the maker judge
that it Is a good one and that my re-
sponsibility Is vast"
There was a responsive twinkle in
the girls eye.
"Sorry l can't help you out" she
said. why not ask the conductor?
He will know who got on at that sta
ton. did myself, but we had to
bury to catch the train, and l didn't
notice my fellow passengers"
''Tickets. please"
"Say, conductor" cried Cartwright.
"can you tell me who got on at Alton
Junction. and he explained the prob
lem Of the pudding.
The conductor grinned.
There was the lady two seats
ahead" he answered, 1.-The one with
glasses"
Cartwright inspected her with comic
dismay.
ii ba - nd
If 1t be she Perhaps you had better
tackle her. conductor. l don't want the
job
well, there's the fat lady in the yell
low waist with buttons. and the girl
in the front seat, and the family just
behind. and
"You don't know even if she's grown
up, do you?" queried the girl. who had
become quite interested in the proceed
ings
That's So" assented Cartwright rue
fully. But l feel by the pricking of
my thumbs that she's homely as a
hedge fsnce, cross eyed and at least
fifty"
''That may not interfere with her APP
petlte lOT plum pCtiuiuS, 5uSSSSleu TIC
girl mirthfully. She had put back the
enveloping brown veil. and her dark
eyes gazed straight into Cartwright's.
81 wish you were Mary Lang" he
said, with decision.
I'm very well satisfied as l am" she
answered, dropping her eyes demurely,
The conductor had returned.
AT = a 10
suggested. "Guess l can help you
out"
He walked to the front Of the car
and faced about.
'Is there lady in this car by the
name of Mary Lang?" he shouted above
the roar of the train.
There was much turning Of heads,
but no response. The conductor dis
appeared into the car ahead. while
Cartwright wiped imaginary drops of
Precipitation from his forehead.
s'This suspense Is awful" he OBJ