The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-08-15

struggle 10 recover the dice and PEN
nies scattered within the snug circle
of excited newsboys gathered far up
D. lane enjoying apparently heed
less OF consequences, midday game
OF much-forbidden crap
In the wild scramble to save their
gambling implements" and neverthe-
less escape the bluecoated official
striding upon them, nobody thought OF
poor Billy. But, with his papers un-
der one arm, his crutch resting be-
meath the other and an empty trous-
ers leg dangling in the breeze. Billy,
with his companions, sought SELF
preservation.
D. lane, for the surefooted was
none too good walking, and a treach-
erous spot found Billy in his mis-
fortune and brought him heavily to
the ground, his papers IN an untidy
pile beside him and the crutch quite
beyond his reach.
The corners OF his mouth dropped
his uncomfortable position and beheld
the ofncerSowering above him.
well, my lad, you seem to be the
one to go along with me. All the
rest have made good to get out OF the
way. I'm mighty sorry I've got to
take you-one of the others would
have suited me better-much better.
But the sergeant detailed me especial
ly to stop this crap shooting. He says
It can't go on"
The policeman spoke not unkindly,
but Billy, from his seat OF earth.
heard, and knew that plea for re-
( lease would be wasted
Here's your crtch, my boy. Como
on"
Jaw, let him OF, can't yer?"
Billy and the policeman wheeled
about at this unexpected interference
from the rear. There, crawling from
beneath an empty barrel set forth by
one OF the many restaurants along the
lane, his face and hair generously
streaked with a covering OF -four TAX
en- on in his place OF refuge. came a
boy not much larger than Billy him
self-one OF the circle of former crap
shooters"
81 say, Billy amt done nothin'. He
warnt shootin with the bunch. The
last | see OF Billy he was settin'
there eatln his handout Weren't
you. Billy?' Billy nodded complacent-
ly. Yer pinchin a innocent man,
boss; straight goods.
Now" the boy went on pushing his
hands deep into his pockets and broad
ening his base. now, I'm one Of the
bunch. I've got pull with the gang.
II do say it myself, and if-if-you-
could only let Billy off-'cause he
amt done nothin' anyhSw-I'li use my
'nflooence with the crowd to stop the
shootin -after-I-get-out- the
lookup"
ment beamed in the officers eyes, and
It was with dlffculty that he re-
strained burst of genuine laughter
but | can't do that for you;
can't let either OF you or" he said,
at last. "You know right from wrong
HDu-HH, ueIe COlhto tho SVohe
Wen let him settle It,"
Billy shrank closer to his champion
as he felt his own tiny atom OF sell
completely overshadowed by this for
mldable giant with shining buttons
and chevrons. The contact lent the
intercessor strength for final appeal
Sergeant. can I speak to you for
Billy? | don't mind for myself. but
Billy just can't go to the lookup"
Nervously the child's fingers locked
and interlocked, but his gaze met that
OF the stalwart officer OF the law un
ainchingly. Breathlessly. he rushed
on.
"Billy's mother Is home sick In bed
She's what you call an invalid. Some
times she can work and help out and
sometimes Billy's got to do 1t all him
self cause he amt got no brothers
nor sisters. nor no father-just hi:
mother. So we fellers found him @
good stand up in the square, but he
can't run after trade since he's los
his leg. Some swell guy run over him
with his auto and never stopped e
say howdy or good-by, and Billy'I
been up against It ever since and
and-shall tell It. Billy, bout slingin
the dice?" Billy hesitated. Shall l
, Billy? It's up to you"
Billy tried to grasp the Significance
OF this sudden bestowal Of responsible
ity and bowed bewildered approval
well. then, bout this game O. crap
sergeant" The boy lowered his eyei
and poked the dirt with the toe OF hi!
4 muddy boot
About this game OF crap-Billy'I
business hasn't been rushing lately
and so we rather planned to give hin
a boost with crap game noontime
till his ma got better. Some o. thu
crowd got more'n you'd think out o
: their papers and they have pocket
full left for themselves. So they pu
good bit OF It up in game O cral
for Billy, Just to boost him along