Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-11-19
THE EVENING STORY.
THE KIDS SACRIFICE.
By Donald Alien. =.

i e T 3
BY Donald Alien.
| Copyright, 1910, by Associated Liter.
airy Press.)
The Kid was sixteen years old. He
was freckled-faced, tousled-haired and
had smut on his chin. He was news
boy, bootblack and baggage smasher.
He knew his city and its tricks. He
wasn't looking for sympathy, and 1t
was seldom that he extended any. It
was his business to live, and he sue
ceeded. II a man bought his evening
paper of him we'll and good; if he
bought 1t of the next boy there was
no row over 1t. But, when person
had bought Of him several times, and
had perhaps passed a few words with
him, he came to feel a proprietary in
terest in his customer. This was
especially true in the case Of the
many girls leaving their desks in the
Park row Offices at o'clocsk for
Brooklyn or the suburban homes
reached by subway or elevated
The little stenographer had been a
steady customer of the Kid for a
month, and every time she bought a
paper she hau a smile for him. He
)just called her, stenographer to dis
tinguish her from the typist and 9th
.ers, but he was sure about the little.
She was certainly petite. She had
blond hair. eyes to go with it, and her
sunny smile was good to see.
The Kid found himself taking an
interest in the little stenographer,
and he wondered at it. Where did
she live Was she fatherless? Was
she supporting widowed mother and
a sister or brother? Were they pay
ing her fair salary in the Office?
He had never spent two minutes
wondering about any other girl and
there were times when he felt con-
tempt for himself 1t was nonsense
lit wasn't business. And. vet when 5
o'clock came he found himself look
ing for the little girl with the blue
eyes and blond hair.
After some weeks had gone by the
Kid spotted what he had for some
time been looking for. AS the girl
came up f'ark row, looking neither
to the right nor left, the masher was
lat her heels. The Kid didn't know
his name, but he knew his kind, and
his anger was aroused in a minute.
"a paper was bought. smile given,
and the girl passed on without sIspi-
'cion that anything was aniss, Then
the Kid laid OBTAINING hand on the
Washers arm and quietly said:
drop it! II you don't I'll make
trouble!"
What do you mean. you young
loafer!" was Kissed at him in reply.
"Cool off! You see / know you and
your boss. Mashin' on the street don't
go with him. Let the little gal alone
or you'll be looking for job. Seer
The masner saw He was an of
fee employe and the threat scared
him. He didn't know the Kid, but
the Kid might know him.
The second masher appeared, He
was not as bold as the first. He was
going to follow the little stenographer
and see. where she lived. On car or
subway he might find excuse to adj
dress her. The Kid passed his bundle
OF papers to boy friend and fol-
lowed the follower. He entered the
subway and took seat beside the
sirl. He slipped into it just second
ahead of the masher and got a scowl
and curse for his action. 1t was
long time before the little stenog-
rapher looked up and recognized him,
and then she uttered little laugh
and the exclamation
Why, / never thought of seeing
you here!'
ITS business, ma'em," he replied,
looking as important as he could"
She talked with him in a ,chatty,
friendly way, and when far UP in the
Bronx they left the train together
something was said that brought
about an exchange Of names, and he
also learned her street and number.
He saw her to her own door before
he left her, and for the first time in
his life felt that he was something
of a hero. He was only a kid. but he
had assumed mans responsibilities.
He had guarded woman.
The masher had not followed on.
but had laid in wait. AS the Kid was
returning to the station the man
stepped out and halted him, and hold
ing out dollar bill said:
"You keep out of this from now
on
"The little grl?' was queried.
Cert You don't mix in. Take
this"
You're a scondrel, sir!'
What! What's that! Look here
boy. you give me any lip and III
twist your neck for you:
"And if you foller that girl again
I'll put a kilil; into you!'
The masher reached CIT his hand,
but drew it back again. The Kid had
drawn knife and was ready for
him. They stood and glared at each
other for moment and then passed.
on.
j AS time passed by a third man
came He was puzzle to the Kid.
He came up the row behind the little
stenographer, and he took the same,
car and got off at the same station.
Then he wen: another way. Time
after time the Kid followed him. He
caught him looking at his ward. but
nothing beyond that. He was
young man with rather serious face
and by and by the Kid got the idea
that he was IN love with the blond
Z !. ,,J l>1,,a o1,ac hon h1y