Middletown transcript., 1909-10-09

4
him fOr II and 90 / MIXED q COW. He
caught me at il and chased me clear 70
the train.
And be suddenly laughed 1t the
thought.
But why didn't you buy It from him.
The boy looked at her quizzically. His
face was little flushed.
guess you never heard Why the boy
didn't eat his supper, be said.
Do you mean, said the lady, that you
didn't pay him because you bad no
money!
That's it, said the boy. You zee,
people with money don't ride on trucks.
The lady found her bag and quickly
drew from Il several bank bills.
Take these. she hastily said,
He drew back.
No, no, be said. 1 don't need any
money now.
Take the bills, she commanded.
just as a sort of steward? queried the
boy.
Yes, yes.
I'll keep account, he said and pay you
back what's left over. Then be suddenly
laughed. I guess I'm pretty cheeky,
ain'tIP
Why9
Taking so many liberties. Here / am,
only a nurse boy, and you're treating me
like friend.
Your the best kind Of friend, said
the lady, the friend in need.
But my clothes persisted the boy.
They don't match with Puliman.
The lady laughed.
You're clothes are All right, she said,
They don't worry me in the least. IN
fact I'm not worrying at all. She drew
telegraph blank from her bag and rapidly
scribbled a message There, she said, ]
want you to send that telegram from the
next telegraph Office It tells my husband
that We are well and sale and happy. /
don't think could have said all that this
morning.
The boy nodded.
Well, I guess I'm good deal happier
than / would have been on that truck,
be said. Hark2 There's Eddie.
He had the boy up in moment and
took him and washed bis face and smooth
ed down his curIs, and brought him back
rosy and dimpling.
And while the boy held him up and
made funny faces at him and drove
him into a gale of laughter, the Pull
man conductor came down the aisle.
He raised bis hat to the lady and stared
at the boy.
He is with me. said the lady. The
conductor pleasantly nodded aud passed
along.
And then the baby awoke and was fed
with the confscated milk, and seemed
highly pleased with it, and pretty soon
il was time for dinner.
The boy hung back.
Bring Eddie, please, Joe, said the lady,
So they went forward into the dining
car, and found table together and she !
lady ordered dinner, and it was very
good dinner for hungry boy-quibs the
best dinner Joe had ever eaten. And be
looked after Edie as we'll as himself, and
enjoyed it all amazingly.
Just week ago tonight, he told the
lady, l sat by camp fire ont in she
prairie and ate my supper with two
Siwash Indians aud French Canuek.
don't know what we ate--l didn't much
care to know. Then he laughingIy added,
This is different.
] am glad you like this, said the lady,
although we can't offer you as much var.
isty in dining companions.
Joe laughed at the contrast.
Do you know, he said. that If travelling |
was all like this think I'd like to travel
forever.
They were two happy days for Joe that
followed his first encounter with the lady |
and her children.
She was real lady, Joe told himself,
and il was delight and an education TO
listen to her talk. And Joe learned many
things from her-being quick ct obeer.
vation and clever at imitation.
As for the lady, che liked this clear
eyed, willing boy, who strove 60 bard
TO please her. And because her children
liked him, the little Elsie being almost as
fond Of him as Eddie, che liked him all
the better.
And what are yon going to do when We
get to ChicagoF she asked him.
I'll find something to do, be confidently
replied. l may have to knock around
for while, but I don't intend to starVe.
What would you like to doP
I think, replied Joe, that I'd like to be
q railroader.
The lady laughed merrily.
And ride on car trucks2 she asked.
Not as long as there are nursemaids'
places to fill, Joe quickly answered.
And the lady laughed and said that
was very good, and Eddie patted his
hands-dimly understanding that ap-
plsuse was due-and even Baby Elsie
looked up and cooed.
You have your friends well trained
laughed the lady, and Joe thought this /,
was very good, too.
They were booming through Iowa that
evening when the train came to a sudden
stop. It was aiarring, grinding stop, and
almost instantly shots were heard ahead.
Train robbers some one shrisked, and
'he passengers were in instant confusion.
Joe snatched bis big hat and put Il on.
Don't be scared, ma'am, be said. Hide
your money quick
s.k- Al. - /