The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1911-03-30
HER BRAVE
SOLDIER

park a delightful place in the early
forenoon hours. The squirrels we're
out in full force. every bird had its
song, and such people as we're about
carried good-natured faces. OF all
places to 6nish up the last three chap
ters Of an interesting book the park
had the lead.
And little Tot, six years old, Miss
Molly's niece, had found the park .
regular paradise. A quarter Of a mile
away Capt. Phil Dayton of the army,
who had been invaded home from the
Philippines. sat on a selected bench
every morning and blessed the park.
please, sir, I'm losted!"
Captain Phil had finished his paper
and laid it down beside him and was
fairly nodding in sleep. He straight
ened up with a jerk and opened his
eyes very wide at sight of the. owner
of the voice-little Tot. She stood be-
fore him with fingers clasped, a very
solemn look on her face, and the
pioion of tears in her eyes.
II say I'm losted," she repeated al
the captain continued to stare.
ooh, 1 see," he replied. You came
into the park alone and have got
turned around and can't find the way
out?"
mo, I didn't come alone. Aunt Mol
ly came with me. l ran away from
her and got losted. I've been walking
miles and miles, but l can't find her
again. She'll be awfully scared"
"And how about you-aren't you
scared"
"Oh, no. 1 knew I'd find somebody
to take me home"
"And what is your manner"
"Tot Foster. Do you thing it's a
nice name?"
Il surely do. How far do you live
from the park?"
"Oh, we have to take a street car,
and the conductor charges me full
fare. He told Aunt Molly that l was
no kid"
We'll, Miss Tot, l think the best
thing we can do is to wait right here
for a little time. Your aunt will sure.
ly be searching for you, and is apt to
come this way. Besides, there will be
a policeman along soon, and we can
get him to help. Plenty of room for
you to sit down here by me-"
THANK you, sir!!" said Tot with all
the dignity Of a married woman; and
after taking a seat close beside him
she continued.
1T wasn't a week ago that Aunt
Molly told mamma that II she ever
married 1t would be a brave soldier.
You r brave, aren't your"
People have said So"
Then that settles 1t. AS soon al
Auntie finds me I'll introduce you.
guess she's gone some other way
Let's walk and walk until we fnd
her"
and talked, and strangely enough they
encountered no one searching for 8
"losted" girl. One of the entrances
was reached at last, and the captain
asked:
Does this look like the place you
usually come In att"
"Why it surely u.s." Tot answered
"Yes, l recognize 1t by that squirrel
there. Now, all we've got to sit down
on this bench and wait for auntie
She'll soon come a-fying. But must
know your name or I can't introduce
you"
"It's Captain Dayton, If you please
That's a nice name, and l know
auntie will be pleased with 1t. She's
pretty particular about names. ny
stars, there comes auntie now"
1t was true. Aunt Molly and a sol
M policeman were coming on the
run, and just at that moment an auto
came up and stopped at the entrance
There were two ordinations uttered
that Captain Dayton did not forge
for q year:
"oh, Tot, my darling!" from tha
half-distraoted aunt.
I'm the KIDNAPPING business, eh-
come alongl" from the solemn police
man.
And while Aunt Molly was huggine
Miss Tot and being Rugged IN return
the soldier was hustled into the auto
and the chauffeur ordered to drive tt
a police station.
"Got him and it's a straight case,
said. the officer to the lieutenant at thu
desk.
Captain Dayton gave his name, ad
dress and profession. He had the doc
uments with him as confederation
The lieutenant was about to ask hin
IL he thought the police force could be
taken in that way when an auto came
ohugging up and Miss Tot n Aunt
Molly came hurry1ng in.
"You just let this gentleman go!',
ordered the little girl as she advanced
and took the prisoner by the hand.
I'm sure he didn't intend-in
tend" said Aunt Molly. but could
get no further.
"And he wasn't trying to kidnaI
you?" asked the oficer of Miss Tot.
"Of course he wasn't! He was see
ing me home! Aunt Molly, this is Cap
tain Dayton of the army. a perfect
gentleman"
A captain in the army, Dayton, die
4-~