The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-02-19

your aunt might be there and pcrhaps-wcl perhaps she
might not appreciate music
She wouldn't Shirley laughed except Onward.
Christian Soldiers or Old Hundred"
Which, unfortunately. not IN my repertoire" he
stcps7"
Why not" the girl answered y
There is reason. really" he said i'll return "The
road has entions'
We are three, she said smiling "you, your pal,
and myself You may walk with nc far as the cross
roads, there by the big willow you shall play for me
again, and then you go on your free way and
will so back to my conventions" she ended little
sadly.
Shirley scanned his face in swift glance. "You
look Different great deal better" She said
I longer i'll" he told her; and then went on
speaking RAPIDLY Il think will tell you part of my
story at least he said 1t will take only few mo-
mcnts. / should like TO have left you that June day
with better opinion of me- but as it was only an ex-
pertinent didn't think ought TO. / not a tramp
real hobo. he told her. "but very ordinary man in
the disguise OF one / am Willard Baker, newspaper
man, at your service
And am Shirley Baker, schoomistrcss," she said
Yes. know" he answered, :" found out by a few
discreet questions back there in the village to-day did
do il for curiosity. but because wanted know the
OF the person who, in all my wanderings, has
treated like equal flannel shirt and knapsacl
make lots Of difference don't theya" he said triAe
bitterly
"Its like this" he went on "Whilc on story on,
day in the New York sums contracted typhoid fever
had it for seven months, and when finally got on ms
feet again they about all had left The doctors
in the hospital said my heart and lungs shay, and
that must take long voyage, summer in the
mountains and that sleep out of doors if possible.
As I had just fifty dollars my nane-thc paper had
kept the payroll long they dccently could
the thing looked preposterous But didn't intend to
let little thing like the lack OF money keep down
after fighting for my life all those months So thought
the plan of coming up here in the Berkshircs and
tramping it for a while. 1 was studying music and
could play fairly well, and could draw slap-dash
sort of way. l thought the two combined might
nc food enough, though should have preferred the
more muscular sort of work. I'd have sawed wood
that day you know" he added quickly, If he wanted
TO explain something particularly II had been able
You sec" he concluded, "the experiment has been
a success. I'm my way back to the city again. The
paper will give me job its shoulder and for
ward march until the next onslaught of fate
I'm SO gadl" Shirley said her eyes shining. II
knew all the time, somcway. that you weren't that
extraordinary tramp you told to think you / used
to wonder how you getting and shudder nights
when there was hard storm.
"You needn't have worried" he replied, smiling back
at her. would lie barn those nights and wonder
if you would give Strawberries and cream when 1
came your way again"
Hardly" laughed Shirley "-in September!"
The old brown fiddle was brought into again
and this time its music a bridge between heart.
young with JOY and rich with hope
Promise me-, the player said. when he had finished,
"that may this way again and play for YOU I'll
get acquainted with the village preacher / can get
him to introduce us-for Aunt Luelas sake, he smiled.
Can you promisc?"
"I promise" said Shirley smiling, and good
night" She held her hand him and he took il for
brief second and held in his Then she started
homcward III the dusk
From far down the road strain Of music was waited
back-a joyful. happy tunc to which the words of An
old nursery rhyme had been set:
Bobby Shafto's gone TO sea,
Silver buckles on his knee;
He'll come back and marry ME,
Little Bobby Shafto"