The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1910-04-06
Bill US Milk Route
By LAWRENCE ALFRED CLAY
Copyright. 1909 by Associated Literary Press)

anybody is up. It's only at the dairy
that shall meet any one"
But they'll boot at girl driving 9
milk wagon" objected the brother.
"Therell be no girl to boot at" was
the answer. I'm going to dress in
your clothes and tell them I'm your
brother"
"But you may be arrested"
II can't help it. don't believe any
one will know If I swagger little and
have a dirty face. No use talking
I'm going to try It,"
And try it she did. Jim's suit fitted
her fairly we'll, and when her hair had
been pushed up under her cap and
some dirt rubbed on her hands she
was passable boy The stableman
swore at her when she went to get
man said she didn't look as If she knew
any too much. But Miss Hilda fin
ished her route in good shape and re.
turned home triumphant. She was
"pegged" at along the street by few
boys and few family cooks who were
up to receive the milk growled out
because she was little timid in get.
| ting off the wagon. Then came a
catastrophe. Hilda was driving along
! within block of the Twenty-ninth
street police station when policeman
hailed her from the sidewalk for a
bottle of milk. She had to halt, and 1t
was her timidity and confusion that
gave her away.
so it's girl driving a milk wag.
ON" exclaimed the officer when he
had made sure. well, you are in boys
clothes, and that's against the law, and
you'll have to come along"
Hilda protested and tries persua-
sion, but 1T was of no avail. She was
taken to the station, charged with the
offense and locked in a ce!l, to be
held I'll day and arraigned next morn.
ing. There were officers about the
station who laughed to see "the boy"
cry and hear "him" beg.
1t was three hours after she was
locked up that Capt. Ross made his
appearance. He had had good break
fast and was feeling paternal. He
went to the window to say good morn.
ing to Billy" and was not little dis
turbed to find the opposite sash still
down and locked. After wondering
over 1t for few minutes, he called
for the blotter and ascertained that a
girl dressed as boy had been locked
up. He entered the corridor and
looked at her through the bars. and
she turned her back on him.
H1lda had given fictitious name,
and she felt that she could defy the
judge and all others If only she could
prevent Capt. Ross from discovering
her identity. That would humiliate
her more than anything else.
Young woman. do you realize what
a serious thing this is?" asked the
captain as he paced to and fro.
No answer.
You may not be tough girl, but
how could you so far forget YOURSELF"
Two or three gasps and a sob for
answer.
1T will mean 80 years on the island.
for sure"
oh, captain, captain!"
You refused to give the sergeant
your name, and that looks bad Tell
1t to me, and If this Is only an esca-
pade l may speak to the judge for
you"
IL can't tell" exclaimed weep.
ing voice.
But it'll come out sooner or later"
Then-then I'm Billy-good-morn
ing, Billy!"
what! Billy cross the alley!"
EYES,"
but why DID you do it,"
Midst sobs and tears she told him
all, and her story explained why the
opposite window was closed. When
she had finished he stepped out and
c,me back with the keys and opened |
the grated door and asked:
think you can get home through |
the streets as you are?"
"Oh, surely"
Then you can go out by way of
this back door. l wouldn't drive the
milk wagon any more. may call this
evening to see If you got home safe.
ly."
And when Capt. Ross called, he
changed his salutation to Good even.
ing, Billy" and he told Hilda that
Jim's wages were to go on until he
was we'll, and that the landlord
wouldn't call for the rent that month,
and she was so busy making up we'd
ding clothes when the publishing
house sent for her to come back that
she had to decline. There is another
girl at the window now, but no one
calls Good morning" to her, and she
has no romance.
Close Realism.
Il consider this graphophone sing.
ng just as realistic as the opera"