Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-26
Jir1's


~ HE five O'Clock trolley from Putney dropped
J b "a boy at the FaHport station Just three
minutes after the train he had planned to
take pulled out. This bit OF hardness left
- rnwecome hour on the bows hands. He
took through the watng-room and
sried to look quite at his ease while he wondered
whether he would have the i'll luck 10 run across
anybody who knew him. In corner bronzed
young fellow of his own age was trying to persuade
That's fine dog" he remarked. "Yours?'
No, he belongs to the station, reckon, or else
Ire brown-faced boy fondled the collies head Go
New York"
That's jolly SO am L. Been down for the
summer in Maine, just going home. Same with you.
The first boy shook his head. Then great de-
sire to explain matters overlook him Ne" he
only the end of the land ouTney; take the steamer
out the last sentence casually.
The bEown-faeed boy stopped playing with the
collie Pan12c say that rs IS {2y bow fd2 a are
my cousins got a position down there, he's an
engineer, you know And he's invited to go
My, but that's great! say. you're quite an
il you care to talk, you know My names Gordon.
I'm Jim RradstEset There's nothing much to
on the platform. won't your"
Gordon shook his head. Got to keep an eye on
you ,ce travel light" e~N11 Jus 10
=, Jim B1adstreet flushed. I'm not taking much
approve of my going" he blurted out "He wrote
no to Jacks letter inviting me to visit him down
there and he doesn't; know anything about this"
Gordon locked at the other boy seriously. 81
'ee. he said. you-you're running away"
Gordon snoothed, the cOllies heaq with slow
Hnge5s How'd it come about" he asked;
In my face all the schemes I'd had and declared
that in three months this would have gone the way
wouldn't hear of my leaving schoot-cven for Pan
anna. Said when was eighteen I might decide for
oppose me- though he wants me to go to college
Said Panama would keep. got wrathy. I've edu-
6des want o see he osnS ai the s sn
Father thinks don't know what l want, but I'm
old enough to decide for myself. It's my life
Rnyhow-he hasn't got to live it,
Hes got to see you, 1--WE it" said Gordon So
berry. "But how about.your. cOusin7 Will he take
cob. III have to explain things to Jack, but he's
got sense he'll understand my reasons and he'll
WHATS to hinder. your father teiegraPhing your
"FIe woat miss me He won't know anything
sails. Father and don't see much of each other,
were alone fnT the servants and I'm often
of all night at some fellows: He's too deep IN his
oooks-7le cares more Tor them than he does Tor
Gordon studied hi,r.4 attcntvely for minute as
S ssfod father James BF'd''ree' the writer
lin, roas.d
father likes his things" ne added HE says they're
great
There was little silence. Philip Gordon was
trying to imagine himself and his father in like
situation. He will miss you" he said.
Hell have MS book the new one. Oh no. he
won't really mad."
y done believe It," fatty declared the other boy
Fathers always 60 Why. mine Do you know
Eoar father very wcil7" he asked abruptly.
jim Bradstrce: stopped futnbling with the bills
and change IN his pocket-his allowance had oppor-
tureiy fallen Que the day before: ample monthly
moons and stared at the questioner.
49, know him? Why, OF course. We've lived
/ hen lie si.u: MS mouth When he stopped think
Sbout j. there boy in Putney with whom