The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1910-06-16

The man who stood in the middle of
the freight car looking down in wonder
at the fugitives was tall vagabond Of /,
the most picturesque type. No raga-
muffin was ever SO tattcreI ard tern
as this rahish Individual lis clothes
barely hang tsIctIer on bis hank
frame.
Long. thin lips curled into smile of
delicious regard. His sides shook with
the quiet chuckle of understanding
He was thinking Of other days and
nights and Of many maids in faroff
lands and CT countless journeys in
which he. too, had had fair and gentle
company-short journeys, yes, but not
! to be forgotten.
| He lighted the stub of tallow can
| die All. how envied this great. sleep
| ing wayfarer. How beautiful his mis-
1ress! How fortunate the lover. They,
slept. How tired they were! Whence
had they come?
| Why should he stay here to spoil
their waking hour? No. He would
surrender his apartment to them.
Softly he tiptoed to his own corner
longings-an ancient violin case.
stout walking stick, goodly sized
pack done up in gaudy cloth. we'll
worn pair of sandals with long, frayed
lacings. AS gently he stole back to
the door. He tossed a kiss to the
sleeping girl, his dark gypsy face
aglow with admiration and mischief,
and was about to blow out the light
of his candle. Then he changed his
mind.
| With a determined shake of his head
seated himself and began to open his
ragged pack.
At last his small store of food lay
exposed. Without hesitation he divid-
ed the pieces of smoked venison, Civ
ing one part to himself, two to the
sleepers, then the miller's bread and
the cheese and the bag Of dates he had
bought the day before.
Again he blew n kiss to the prettiest
girl he had ever seen. Shutting his
candle, he dropped to the ground and
closed the door against all spying un-
civil eyes.
|
y gates.
Coming to an empty fat car direct
" from the Quarries, he resolutely seated
himself upon it's edge and, with anna
bic resignation, set about devourins
his early meal, all the while casting
longing, almost appealing. glances to
ward the next car but one. Busy lit
!, !, tie switch engines began chuggin:
Il about the yards. The railroad at leas
was exhibiting some signs of life.
e Down through the maze of side
tracks whisked the little train, GU
x upon the main line with a thin shriel
e of greeting, past the freight houses
's 1t was then that Sir Vagabond sat u
very straight, look of mild interes
3. in his eyes. Interest gave way to pei
u pleXity, perplexity to concern. What
~ this-leaving the city? He wasted n
* time. Clutching his belongings to hi
side, he vaulted from one hand, nimbl
= landing safely on his feet at the roat
= side.
IL He thought of the luckless pair
the empty box"
III Suddenly he stopped, his chin VI
|
ne of laughter scared from his lips. tt
az joke was Oh them. 1t was rich. TT
ID more be thought of their astonishme1
on awakening the more he laughed.
His immense levity attracted ate
ton Four or five men approache
him from the shadows of the freigl
houses, ugly, unsmiling fellows. The
demanded Of him the cause of his u
seemly mirth. With tears in his me
ry black eyes he related the plight
the pretty slumberers. They piled hi
with questions. He described the co
pie, even glowingly. Then the sin
ter fellows smiled. More than thu
they clapped each other on the ba
and swore splendidly.
And so it was that the news spre
over town at O'clock that Truxt
King was where he could do no har
1t was well known that the ira
would make forty miles an hour dov
the steep grade into the lower valley
When Truxton King first awoke
the fact that they were no long
lying motioEless in the dreary val
he leaped to his feet with a start
shout of alarm. With frantic ener
he pulled open the door. For a m
ute be stared at the scudding walls
stone so close at hand, uncomprehel
ingly. Then the truth burst upon b
with the force of mighty blow.
staggered back. his jaw dropping,
eyes glaring.
e! "Great God, Lorraine! We're goi
We're moving" he cried hoarsely.
She shot to her feet and lurched
his side Don't fall outw she aim
shrieked.
nas Suddenly the train shot out into
no open, farm spattered valley. Trux
fell back dumfounded.
1.-THE country" he exclaimed. eve
| hann FRIED AWAY Cod in hQaY