The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-05-26
Bonny. adorable Prince Robin.

THEY SLEPT. HOW TIRED THEY WE'RE!
Bonny, adorable Prince Robin!
On came the splcrdid phalanx Of
guardsmen. followed by rigid infantry
men in measured tread. The great
coach of gold with its half score of
horses, rolled somberly beneath ma
lures canopy of green, surrounded on
all sides by proud members Of the
royal guard. Two carria res from the
royal stables preceded the prince.
coach. In the first We're the Duke of
Perse and three fellow members of
the cab1ne. The second contained
Baron Dan less and General Brace
The curtains in a house at the cor
ner OF the square. parted gently. A
hawk faced old man peered out upon
tie joyous crowd. His black eyes
Fswept the scene. A grim smile crept
| into his fnce. He dropped the cur.
Gains and walked away from the wiz
dow, tossing cigarette into a CRATE
| on the opposite side OF the room. Then
he looked at his watch.
The man who stood in. the middle of
the freight car looking down in wonder
at he fuGitives was a tall vaSabond of
the most picturesque type. No ragn-
| muffin was ever so tntteced and torn
as this rakish individual. His cIother
barely hung together on his lank
frame.
Long. thin lips curled into Il 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 of countless journeys In
,t.l, L.
company-short journeys, yes. but not
to be forgotten.
He lighted the stub of a tallow can
die. All. how envied this great Sleep
ing wayfarer! How beautiful his mis-
tress! 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
Of the car. He gathered up his be-
lonSinSs-an ancient violin case,
stout walking stick, Il goodly sizeC
pack done up in gaCdy 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
and new flash of the cre. he calmly
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. I'M
civil eyes.
Daybreak found him at tue wharf
gates.
Coming to an empty fat car direct
from the quarries. he resolutely seated
himself upon its edge and. with anna
Bile resignation. set about dcvouring
his early meal. all the while casting
longing. almost appealing. chances to-
ward the next car but one. Busy lit
tie switch engines began chugging
about the yards. The railroad at least
was exhibiting some signs of life.
Down through the maze of side
tracks whisked the little train out
upon the main line With thin shrek
of greeting, past the fire. light houses.
1t was then that Sir Vagabond sat up
very straight. n look of mild interest
in his eyes. Interest gave way to per-
plexity, perpIeXity TO concern. What's
this-leaving the city? lie wasted no
time. Clutching his belongings to his
side. he vaulted from one hand. nimbly
landing safely on hts feet at the road
side.
He thought of the luckless pair in
the empty box"
Suddenly he stopped. his chin up.
his hands to his sides. \ hearty peal
OF laughter scared from his lips. The
joke was on them. 1t was rich. The
more he thought of the astonishment
on awakening the more he laughed.
His immense levity attracted atten-
ton. Four or five men approached
him from the shadows of the freight
houses. ugly, unsmilinC fellows. They
demanded of him the cause of his I'M
Seemly mirth. With tears in his ner-
ry black eyes he related the plight of
the pretty slumbererS. They piled him
with questions. He described the cou-