The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-20
an
Emergency

"Lemme sit by the WINDOW! Lemme
sit by the window, dad!" shrieked the
small boy, making a dive for the last
double seat.
Don't make SC much noise"
growled dad, fussy little man with
white eyelashes, following his son In
to the seat. Here, turn around and
take your dirty shoes off my clothes"
Giving a farewell wipe with the
shoes, the small boy turned his atten-
tion to raising the window shade.
Here, leave that alone!" grumbled
dad. Don't you see that let's the sun
shine right in on me? Why can't
you have little consideration for
other people?"
What's consid-Say, dad, look at
that kid out there. Say, looky! He
hit that other kid right in the nose.
Say, bet If | was that other kid I'd
punch him in the Stats. Say, looky,
dad!"
IF you don't shut up I'll drop you
out OF the window" observed dad,
sourly. Keep still. now. want to
Ieau the paper.
Say. dad, what're We stoppin' for?
Oh. gee! Look at all the people get
tin on. Where's they all goin' to sit?
Say, dad. look at all the people,"
Dad buried his nose In his paper
and grunted.
An injured looking man with a re-
ceding chin stationed himself in front
OF the pair and fixed dad with a meek
glare.
Say, dad" remarked the small boy,
punching his parent in the ribs, that
mans lookin' at you. Say, what's he
lookin' at you that way for, dad"
Look here" muttered dad, in re-
strained but wrathful tones, If you
say another word I'll give you the
worst whipping you ever had tn your
life the minute We get home"
The small boy stuck his thumb In
his mouth and returned with a round
eyed stare the glare Of the injured
looking man. At the next stop the
injured looking man was pushed for
ward and his place was taken by two
short sleeved. low necked, hobble-
skfrted damsels,
"Wisht l had some place to sit
down." remarked one. glancing from
dad to his son.
Wonder he wouldn't make that kid
get up and t somebody have that
seat" observed her friend.
Dad" said the small boy, In a loud.
hoarse whisper. 'she says it's a won
der you don't make me get up and
give her my seat. Do have to give
her my seat. dad! Amt she got
nerve. dad?'
Dad. hts head completely enveloped
In his paper, made no response. The
two girls giggled. The small boy
amused himself for a few moments by
sticking out his tongue at them. When
this palled. he looked about for some
other means Of entertainment and hit
upon the novel diversion of reclining
upon the small OF his back and run.
ming his heels up and down the back
"a ehO oOot III ilOhl vi lie seat
was occupied by man who sat with
hunched up shoulders and twisted
legs. reading a railroad time table.
He wore dusty looking brown hat,
with rather wide brim, which the
small boy kicked with each gyration
Of his feet.
Dad. watch me kick that mans
hat. Say. ain't that a funny hat, dad?"
No response from dad.
The train stopped again and the two
girls gave place to fat. perspiring
man with a heavy suitcase. He plant
ed the suitcase on the floor and drew
handkerchief from his pocket.
"Phew!" he observed to the public
In general, hopping his face with the
handkerchief. This amt the kind
OF day to run for train"
With the exception Of the small boy,
the passengers all assumed the stony,
far away expression that Is supposed
to be appropriate when a genial re-
mark is made by a stranger to no
body In particular. The man looked
down and caught the eyes of the small
boy.
Say, son." he asked cheerfully,
don't you want to get up and let me
have that seat? You can sit on my
lap"
Nav" replied the boy, regarding
his interlocutor dispassionately.
The fat man, with considerable ef-
fort. seated himself upon his suitcase.
Well" he observed. as he seated
himself, II Amt in the business OF
bringing up other folks children. but
/ must say that when | was a kid II
I'd "a sat down when there was a lot
OF grown people standing my dad
would "a fixed me SO probly wouldn't
"a been anxious to sit down anywhere
for week"
Then. suddenly. something hap
pened. The hunched up man. thrust.
Ing the time table into his pocket, un-