Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1911-02-10
Q
HER BRAVE
. SOLDIER

forenoon hours. The squirrels we're
out in full force, every bird had its
Song, and such people as were about
carried. good-natured faces OF all
places to finish up the last three chap
tiers Of an interesting book the park
bad the lead.
And little Tot, six years old, Miss
Nolly's niece, had found the park
. regular paradise. A quarter Of mile
Rways 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 1t down beside him and was
fairly nodding in sleep. He straight
ehed 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 sus-
picion of tears in her eyes.
IT say I'm losted," she repeated as
the Saptain continued to stare
oh, see," he replied "You came
into tie park alone and have got
turned around and can't find the way
out?"
''NotI didn't come alone. Aunt Mol
ely cme with me. 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-arent you
saRred?"
"Oh, no. l knew I'd find somebody
to take me home"
"And what is your name"
"Tot Foster. Do you thing it's a
nice name?"
II surely do. How far do you live
nom the park?
"0h, We have to take street car,
and the conductor charges me full
fare. He told Aunt Molly that l was
mo kid"
well, Miss Tot, | think the best
thing we can do is to wait right here
Tor little time. Your aunt will sure
" be searching for you, and is apt to
come this way. Besides, there will be
= 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 seat close beside him
abe continued
1T wasn't week ago that Aunt
Molly told mamma that If she ever
married It would be brave soldier.
You are brave, aren't you?"
People have said So"
Then that settles it. AS soon as
Auntie finds me I'll introduce you.
guess she's gone some other way.
Let's walk and walk until we find
her"
They walked and walked, and talked
and talked. and strangely enough they
encountered no one searching for a
~lOsted3 girl. One of the entrances
was reached at last, and the captain
@ asked: 90
Does this look like the place you
usually come in att"
'Why, it surely is" Tot answered.
Yes, | recognize it 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 | can't introduce
you" co.,
It's Captain Dayton, if you please"
That's & nice name, and | know
Suntie will be pleased with It, She's
pretty particular about names. My
stars, there comes auntie now"
1t was true. Aunt Molly and SOL
emn policeman were coming on the
run, and just at that moment an auto
came up and stopped at the entrance.
SThere were two explanations uttered
that Captain Dayton did not forget
fos year:
".Oh, Tot, my darling" from the
Aaff-distracted aunt.
In the kidnapping business, eh-
come along" from the solemn police
pan.
And while Aunt Molly was hugging
Miss Tot and being Rugged in return,
the soldier was hustled into the auto
and Che chauffeur ordered to drive to
q police station.
Got him and it's a Straight case"
said the officer to the lieutenant at the
DISK.
3 Captain Dayton gave his name, ad.
dress AMI profession. He had the doc.
uments with him as confederation.
The lieutenant was about to ask him
II he thought the police force could be
taken in that way when an auto came
chugging up and Miss Tot and Aunt
Molly came hurrying in.
You just let this gentleman go!"
ordered the little girl as she advanced
and took the. prlsoner by the hand.
I'm sure he didn't intend-in.
tend7s"s said Aunt Molly, but could
get no further
"And he wasn't trying to kldnap
you?" asked the officer of Miss Tot.
"of course be wasn't He was see
ing me home! Aunt Molly, this Is Can