The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-09-14

help" he said. You stay here and
will send q man to see him."
III you just let him lone, he'll sleep
It off," volunteered Billy. "He's that
way all the time, but he wakes up
and gets us something to eat after
awhile. Only waitin' twists you up in
side pretty bad"
The boy wore no air of complaint
He was merely stating facts.
Wesley Sinton looked hard at Billy.
Are you twisted up inside now?' he
asked.
Billy laid a grimy hand on the re-
gion Of his stomach. and the filthy
little waist sank close to the backbone
Bet your life, boss" he said cheer
fully.
''How long have you been twistedF
asked Sinton.
Billy appealed to the others. when
was it we had the stuff on the
bridgei''
Yesterday morning." said the girl.
"Is that all gomez asked Sinton.
'She went and told US to take 1t
home" said Billy ruefully, land cause
she said to. we took it. Pa had come
back, he was drinking some more, and
he ate lot Of Utmost the whole
thing. and it made him sick as a dog.
and he went and wasted all of it.
Then he got drunk some more, and
now he's asleep again. We didn't get
hardly none"
''You children sit on the steps until
the man comes" said sinton. "Ill
send you some things to eat with him.
What's your name, sonny?"
"Billy," said the boy.
"Well, Billy, guess you better
come with me. I'll take care of him."
Slnton promised the others. He reach
ed hand to Billy.
Il amt no baby, I'm a boy" said
Billy as he shuf1ed along beside Sim
ton, taking a kick at every movable
object without regard to his battered
toes.
Once they passed a Great Dane dog
lolling after its master, and Billy as
cended Sinton as If he was a tree and
chung to him with trembling hot hands,
II amt afraid of that dog" scoffed
Billy as he was again placed on the
walk, "but onc't he took me for a rat
or somepin and his teeth cut into my
back. If I'd done right I'd a took
the law on him"
Sinton looked down into the indig-
nant little face. The child was bright
enough, he had good head, but, oh,
such body!
Wesley Sinton reached his hand.
They were coming into the business
part of Onabasha. and the streets were
crowded. Billy understood it to mean
that he might lose his companion and
took a grip. That little hot hand
clinging tight to his, the sore feet
recklessly securing the walk, the hun
cry child painting for breath as he
tried to keep even, caught Sinton In q
tender, empty spot.
"Say, son." he said. chow would you
like to be washed clean and have all
the supper your skin could hold and
sleep in good bed?"
Jaw, gee" said Billy. II amt dead
yet. Them things is In heaven. Poor
folks can't have them. Pa said SOL
.eWell, you can have them If you
want to go with me and get them"
promised Sinton.
"Kin take some to Jimmy and
BELIEF
IF you'll come with me and be nv
boy I'll see that they have plenty"
what will pa say?'
your pa is In that Kind Of sleep now
where he won't wake up, Billy" said
6inton. II am pretty sure the law
VIII give you to me II you want to
| come"
when people don't ever wake up
they're dead" announced Billy. 'Is
my pa dead?'
eyes, he u.s." answered Sinton.
"And you'll take care Of Jimmy and
Belle, too?"
II can't adopt all three Of you" said
sinton. I'm take rou. and see that
they are well provided for. VIII VOC
conner ~,.
Yep, I'll come" said Billy. Lets
eat, first thing we d."
"All right" agreed Sinton. "Come
into this restaurant" He lifted Billy
TO the lunch counter and ordered the
clerk to give him as many glasses Of
milk as be wanted and biscuit. II
think there's going to be fried chicken
when we get home, Billy" he said, $50
you Just take the edge OF now and nll
up later" 5. Eli Nh 1. @
..issis-e ',s 4 al. II 4# s n, .5#S@. Pa r.
4ss 81 f III 81