Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-01-18

Querle0 tue 10Y.
Eyes" replied Mclean.
Then why couldn't be watching
just as closely and coming as fast as
an older, stronger mani"
"Why, by George. you could" ex-
claimed Mclean. Il don't know that
the size of man would be half 20
important as his grit and faithfulness.
What Is your name?"
Ereckles grew n shade winter. but
his eyes never faltered-
"Freckles." he said.
"Good enough for every day." laugh
ed Mclean. but can scarcely put
Frcckles on the company's books"
II haven't any name.' replied tho
boy.
Il don't understand" said Mclean.
II was thinking from the voice and
the face Of you that you wouldn't
said Freckles slowly
"Docs it seem to you that any one
would take newborn baby ard row
over it until it was bruised black. cur
off its hand and leave it out In bit
ter night on the steps of charity
home 10 the care Of strangers? That's
what somebody did to me.
1.-THE home people took me In. and
was there thi. full legal age and several
years over. They could always find
homes for the rest Of the children.
but nobody would ever be wanting Tue
ON account Of me arm"
Were they kind 10 your asked Nc
Lean.
II don't know" answered Freckles.
The reply sounded SO hopeless even to
his own ears that lie llastrned to qaai
ify it by adding: "Ynm see. it's 'ik"
this. sir. EindncsscS that people ere
paid to lay of IN job lots and that
belong equally to several hundred 9th
ers amt going I" be soaking into an,
one fellow much
'GO on" said Mclean.
"There's nothing worth the taking OF
your time to tell" replied I'rcckIrs
1.-THE home was in Chicago. and ! w,s
there all ne life III, to three months
ago. When WAS too old for the train
ing they gave to the little children they
sent me out to the nearest ward school
as long rs the law would let them. hut
/ was never like any Of the other chill
dren, and they all knew it. Id to 80 and
come like Il prisoner and be working
about the home early and late for me
board and clothes. always wanted
to learn mighty bad, but / was glad
when that was over.
"Then new superintendent sent lie
down in the state to man he said he
knew that needed boy. He wasn't
for remembering to, tell that man that
I was hand short. and lie knocked
me down. Betweenf noon and that
evening he and hts son. about my age,
had me in pretty much the same shape
in which was found In the beginning.
so lay awake that night and run
away. I'd like to have squared me ac-
count with that boy before left, but
didn't dare for fear Of waking the
old man, and knew I couldn't handle
the two of them, but I'm hoping to
meet him alone some day before I
die"
Mclean liked the boy all the better
for this confession.
II didn't even have to steal clothes
to get rid of starting in me home
.ones,. Freckles went on .for they had
already taken all me clean, neat things
for the boy md put me into his rags,
and that went almost as sore as the
beatings. for where was we were al.
ways kept tidy and sweet smelling
anyway. l hustled clear into this state
before I learned that man couldn't
have kept me II he'd wanted to.
commenced hunting work. but it is
with everybody else just as it is with
you. sir. Big. strong. whole men are
the only ones for being wanted
II have been studying over this mat
ter" answered Mclean. II am not so
sure but that q man no older than you
and like you in every +way~could. do
this work very well If lie were not a
coward"
If you win give ME q job where.I
can earn me food, clothes and place
to Sleep" said Freckles. III I can have
a boss to work for like other men. ana
place I feel I've right to will do
what you tell me or die trying"
He said It so quietly and convinc-
ingly that Mclean found himself an-
swering: II will enter you on my pay-
rolls. Wen have supper. and then
will provide you with clean clothing.
wading boots. wire mending apparatus
and revolver. The first thing in the
morning will take you over the trail
myself. All ask of you is to come
to me at once mt the south camp and
tell me like a man If you find this job
too hard for you. It is work that few
men would perform faithfully. What
name shall put down?"
Freckles' eyes never left McI.ean's
face. and the boss saw the swift spasm
Of pain that swept his lonely, sensitive
face.
Il haven't any name.'' he said stub
bornly. no more than one somebody
clipped on to me when they put me-
on the home books. with not the
thought or care they'd named a house
cat. What they called me is no more
my name than 1t is yours. I don't
= , 7s:;.