The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1910-01-14

where does yer family reside, Mr..
Milwaukee RedT" inquired Kelly, with
a mock obeisance.
"Out Russian HIN way" Red told
him. Ignoring the others sarcastic
manner.
Russian HIP" echoed Kelly, tho
cynicism In his voice changing to n
note of interest.
"ics. Russian HIM." repeated Red.
WAITS remarkable about thosef"
"Nothin." suid Kelly. with forced
effort to appear unconcerned. And
then, inter II moment during which
neither spoke. no asked: Where does
them people llvep Worked TINT section
meself once"
He'd told him the street and describ.
ed the house. wondering the while.
though not appearing to notice tho
strange effect the information seemed
to produce upon his pal.
AN yer been feedin' 'cm fer
month";" unused Kelly.
Eyes. an III be fcedin' 'cm fer M
other month unless unless her son
comes back. Reckon he's bummin'
somewhere same as sou as me.
Didn't like TO tell tho old woman.
though. Say, pal. II Ind some kin
folks o me own to hustle for I'd I'd
quit the road an go to work"
Kelly did not answer ut once. lie
seemed TO have lost the power Of
speech nnd TO be lost In thought.
though Red knew him too well to try
to force ILLS ragged friend to unbosom
himself
Finally Kelly pulled himself togeth-
r aud said: well. must be goln'.
Got hen on. No. don't reed no help.
dee yer tomorrow" And then he udd.
ed impressively: Red. whatever yer
do, don't git pinched. llenr me2
Keep yer eye peeled an don't git
plnchrd. s. long"
- long. Kelly" said Red. Look
out yer don't git pInchcd yerself."
There was no denying 1t was II grim
risk Rcd was running, NJ was indicnt-
Ell by tho following news Item which
appeared prominently the next day IN
Il city paper:
SNEAK THIEVES INVESTING HILL
DISTRICT
Recently sneak thieves have been plying
their trade IN the Russian I'M district NO
indusirinusiy TINT there II an inBistcnt
call for more police protection, Articles
OF fOod and clothing have been disappear
Ing M rapidly In that nclghborhood Of
late that II would seem u small army Of
these gentry are At work there. groceries
left at back doors IN the enrly morning
hours ARE being taken. vlOtheslincs are he
Ing drnudcd aud Small nclEhborhood
stores even arc being entered aud robbed
In broad daylight. The police are laying
for these mlscreants, and good healthy
penitentinry term awaits nll caught IN the
dragnet.
And besides the risk which he knew
he was running lted felt the weight
Of the responsibility which he had vol.
unfairly assumed. Looking out for
himself was nn rusy mntter. Long OK.
perlcnce had mndc him II pnst master
In the high art Of living without work
Ing Bat looking ont for himself aud
supporting IN family" were two differ.
ent propositions
However. he had not long To carry
tho burden. One m0rning-lt was n
week since Kclly's sudden disappear.
ancc- Red was surprised to lind the
poor woman awaiting him on tho oft
visited back porch.
Their surprise WINS mutual. for the
woman ut once recognized In lied the
tramp with whom she hud offered to
divide her crust several weeks prevl-
GUS.
"And IL II really you who have been
doing thlsr' she questioned. ms though
doubling her senses.
II reckon 'tnin't nobody else. num-"
said Iicd.
"Ilow can | thank or ever repny
youY" she said. licr lips trembling.
Don't try to q" neither one. num-"
advised Red, longing Tor some avenue
Of escape. "Iluw's ser glttin' erlOngf
IIow's the kids
"0h, TINT /, what | was waiting to
zee you or whoever brought the things
about" said the woman we don't
need help amy more My dear son
Will"-nnd tears OF happiness sIrnr
IN her eyes-"hns returned. aud hr gol
work yesterday. He's going 10 take
care Of uy now. He was gon" NJ long,
and we didn't know where hu was.
But he says he'll never leave ~ ngnln.
We're all 10 happy! II seems az
though you have brought NJ good
luck. | want you Ia CONF his evening
and see my VIII ll"li b. ~ glad Ia
see you"
Red looked past the woman aud gaw
cont which 10 eay,ll recognized ~
Kelly's hanging upon II pcs Just with
IN tho kitchen door. Aud his pnls
strange behavior on the night uf thciI
Inst conversation was at once explain
ed.
Don't see how "nn come, mum.
he snld. but tell Kelly mean VIII
that I'm glad he's dom no well nnd
10 stay with his new Job"
And before the happy woman could
detnin him or press upon him more
words OF gratitude Ited was out the
gate md gone.
But ono day they saw nn Item IN u
newspaper about II trump being run
over by nn automobile mud lying In
hospital with II broken leg Something
IN the reporters reference to the man
led those whom Red Ilnd bcfricndcd to
think II was he. Going to the hos.
pitnl. true enough there was their old
friend. AZ soon nv he was able TO be
moved they took him home with them.
5nd ns they were now In u more pros
porous condition they kept him TN he
Ind grown strong ngaln. Then he In
sisted on going out to resume his
tramps. They tried to persuade him
to stay with them and get work, but
he shook his head grlmly and walked
away.
TILL rhDAlAIhV cTADc