The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-03-05
APuddinsIn
Distress.
By FANNIE MEDBURY PtNDlETON.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press. a.
s.s*****..a***s**..


+ Literary Press. =
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. ..s..s.:,
Perhaps it was fate that belated
Cartwright and caused him to rush
across the station platform inst ms
the last passenger climbed aboard the
train. II so, then fate was materially
assisted by a little old lady over
wnom he nearly stumbled and who
wildly clutched his arm.
She was very much out of breath.
and her hair had blown free from her
bonnet until the stray locks stood out
In the wintry winds like a silver halo.
Oh" she cried breathiessly, my
granddaughter has forgotten the
Christmas pudding! She's on the
train. VIII you please give it 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
anxi0usly.
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 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 a place beside a 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 quicker appeared between his eyes
and babe fair to develop into a scowl
when he became conscious that the
gaze Of the girl was fixed likewise
upon the package.
pardon me-" he cried impulsively;
you don't happen to be Miss Mary
Lang, do your"
The girl turned a very pretty and
astonished face toward him.
'"You see," he continued eagerly, 81
don't know q soul at the station where
l got unchanged cars there and near
Iy got left. Just as was making for
the train a lady requested me to deliv-
er this. 1t is pudding" he explained.
impressively, land from the evident
value set upon 1t by the maker judge
that 1t Is a good one and that my re-
sponsibility is vast"
There was a responsive twinkle in
the girls eye
"Sorry I can't help you out" she
said. -'Why not ask the conductor?
He will know who got on at that sta
ton. I did myself, but we had to
bury to catch the train, and didn't
notice my fellow passengers.
Tickets, please"
"Say, conductor" cried Cartwright.
Junction." and he explained the prob
lem Of the pudding.
The conductor grinned.
''There was the lady two seats
ahead" he answered, "the one. with
glasses
Cartwright inspected her with comic
dismay.
"Tm shy man." he announced, "and
If 1t be she perhaps you had better
tackle her, conductor. don't want the
job"
"Well, there's the fat lady In the vel
low waist with buttons, and the girl
In the front seat, and the family just
behind, and
'"You don't know even II she's grown
up, do YOU" queried the girl, who had
become quite Interested in the proceed
ings.
--.sThat's So" assented Cartwright rue
fully. ',But I feel by the pricking Of
my thumbs that she's homely as a
hedge fence. cross eyed and at least
nifty"
"'That may not interfere with her APP
petite for plum pudding" suggested the
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
aah with decision
sI'm very well satisfied as am" she
answered. dropping her eyes demurely.
The conductor had returned.
~'Lend me the precious pudding" he
suggested. "Guess can help you
ont"
He walked to the front Of the car
and faced about.
'Ts there lady In this car by the
name of Mary LangT 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.
''This suspense Is awful" he OBJ
served. With hands clasped dramat-
ically he awaited the outcome.
The door opened. A giggle came