The San Francisco call., 1910-01-15

they first started out 1t was to make
journey through the United States.
The first thing Susie did when they
were on the train was to get ready
some postcards for mailing back to
her chum, Violet Driscoil Mercy!
SUSIE" said her mamma, II should
think you might wait a little longer
before writing to Violet
"Oh owe Violet so many letters and
postcards" said Susie, II want to pay
her back as soon as possible"
They had started from New York
city and at Washington Tony, the Ital-
ian bootblack, got on board the car and
asked If he might black their boots.
HCan Tony go with us out west.
papa?' begged Bob. who took great
fancy to the small Italian.
The children's father said Tony's
parents would not like this, and so they
had to part with their new acquaint-
ance.
Before they had gone much farther
they noticed low, ellipticaf cloud on
the horizon, which their father said
foreboded storm. They decided to stop
at the next station and stay over night
with a friend. When they got off, it
was pitch dark. but their father pointed
to light in the distance. do you see,"
he said. that large beacon? Cordial
greeting will await us there IL we can
get that far. Go on as fast as you can
and we will presently find ourselves in
the home of our friends"
This they did, and presently found
themselves in large old fashioned
mansion. being comfortably slowed
away for the night.
For goodness sake. Bobby. don't
bang or knock the furniture" implored
his mother Remember, you are not al
home and you must be careful"
Are these folks rich. do you think,
Miss Lind?" asked Susie.
"Rch! Moa Dieu! But. how very
impolite. Miss Susie" said sthe gover-
ness who liked to air her French once
in a while. You must not ask such
rude questions
Next morning they got an early start
and asked little Eva. their hosts daugh-
ter. to go on the train with them.
When Eva dares to go on railway
train." said her father, "she will be a
different girl from her present self.
She doesn't like trains or motor cars
Eva's little brother, looking very
anxious. was lettering about, but he
said nothing.
: Papa. Ike never has been on a rail
road train either" said little Eva "and
/ know he would like to 60"
"Ike's face flushed a painful red and
he hung his head sheepishly, but he
looked more than delighted when the
Van Brunts asked him to go with
them on their journey through the
United States.
At the next stopping place they saw
a large crowd of men and women gath
cred around group of horses in the
market place Bob ran off to investi-
gate and came running back breathless
There's going to be sale. mamma"
he shouted; II wish you would buy me
a pony"
"There isn't any time now for
ponies" said his father; but tell the
girls to be ready to start; we intend to
go down the Mississippi by boat"
TO this plan. however Mrs. Van Brunt
refused to consent Go on a Missis-
sippi steamboat she cried. Never! 1
early resolved that that was q risk I
would never take"
1t was then decided TO continue the
journey on the train, and after a pleas
ant trip through the interesting parts
OF the middle west the Van Brunts re-
turned to their home In the state of
New York.
They remained at home but a very