The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-08-15

quite so" said Ronald promptly.
I'm very much obliged to you,
guard; | particularly wanted 70
reach London today
Same ere" remarked his fellow
passenger.
The guard glanced at him with
smile
We'll. you've worked your pas
sage, so to speak" he said. Gave
us a hand at one Of the shuntings.
sir" he explained to Ronald; 'made
himself very useful, for We We're
shorthanded; said he wanted to 80
to London, so | chanced it, AMI gave
him a lift; in for a penny in for a
pound"
That's what the cove said when
he It the second p'liceman on the
cad" commented the man, with in
tense gravity
Ronald paid the tribute of laugh
to this witticism, and took out his
pipe; but the guard shook his head,
and Ronald put the unlit pipe in his
mouth in imitation of his fellow
passenger, who nodded approvingly
and remarked:
AN empty pipes better than no
smoke; and lit don't burn the ton
que. My old muyyer, bless er et,
used to say If ever you're 'ungry,
Chorley try and pretend as you've
'ad a good blowout; it's wonderful
'ow filling it is
Ronald laughed again
There's something in that Mr.
Chorley," he said.
That's Just what the man said
when he blew is air off with a
gun as he thought wasn't loaded,
observed the man.
But you amt got my name quite
right, sir. 'Chorley's' the name
was christened by; the other one is
'Smivvers.
Beg you pardon, Mr. Smthers,'
said Ronald, making a guess at the
pronunciation.
That's it, sir" said Smithers, with
nod You've got it the first
time, though you give it the fancy
pronunciation, which is a bit too
hard for general use"
Ronald was attracted by the man,
by his simple yet shrewd face, his
cheerful philosophy, and his quaint
way OF expressing it, and, to carry
on the conversation. said:
You've been down the line?"
Yes, sir" replied Smithers. Been
looking for work. That's a pretty
hard job in itself, like uniting for a
pin in a straw-yard"
What kind OF work are you look.
ing for?'
ANY kind; though | should ave
preferred something soft, as the
man said when they arst i'm what
he'd ave for dinner, after he'd been
10 the dentist for, soft or ard, it's
all the same; works as scare in the
country as it is in Lunnon.'
What can YOU do?' asked Ron
aid, with a vague idea of being able
to help the amusing fellow.
There aint no time to ;eli you,
sir" replied Smithers, glancing a
the window, past which tae houses
in the outskirts of London werr
flashing rapidly. I've tried me
and at most things, but nothing
seems to stand by me, as the gentle
man observed when he was crossing
the channel. ! started as an err
rand boy, but was too fond o. mar
bles; then l was two-legged cam
el."
What on earth is that" asked
Ronald, with a laugh.
Porter, sir; but l was only like
| a camel about the face; | wasn't
strong enough. Then l was cook at
one of them cabby ani poultice
/ shops
I'm afraid you'll have to explain
| again." said Ronald.
'Horselflesh sausage and mashed
! potato" explained Smithers grave
/ ly. "Arter that | was a tout at a
cheap photographers; you stand out'
side the door with a photograph.
nicely framed. in your and. and po.
litely arst the people to step inside
and ave their likeness took. ! kept
that place for quite a little time .
but the photographer was poor
and at the game, and one day a
middle-aged female, bein dissatis'
fled with 'er photograph. set to
hano-in' mo with 'er upbrella Wirh