Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-06-17


II supposed you knew. but I see sho
hasn't told.''
Then the three days history Of tho
lunch box was repeated with partcu-
lars which included the dog.
"Now laugh" concluded Brownlee.
Blessed II l see anything funny"
replied sinton. "And IL you had
bought that box and furnished one Of
those lunches yourself you wouldn't
either. / call such q work q shame.
I'r have it stopped"
"Some one must see to that, all
right. They are little leeches. Their
father earns enough to support them.
but they have no mother, and they run
wild. suppose they are crazy for
cooked food. But it Is funny, and when
you think it over you will see it If you
don't now"
About where would body find
that father?" inquired Sinton grimly.
Mr.. Brownlee told him. and he started,
locating the house with little difficulty.
House was the proper word, for of
home there was no sign. Just a small
empty house with three unkempt little
children racing through and around It,
The girl and the elder boy hung back.
but dirty little Billy greeted Sinton
with, "What you want here?'
II want to see your father" said
Sinton.
"Well, he's asleep" said Billy.
"WhereY' asked Sinton.
I'm the house." answered Billy. "and
you can't wake him."
"well. I'll try" said Wesley.
Billy led the way. There he Isl"
he said. HE is drunk again."
On dirty mattress in cornerilay
sleeping man who appeared to be
strong and well.
Billy was right. You could not awake
him. He had gone the limit and q
little beyond. He was now facing
eternity.
Sinton went out and closed the door.
"Your father Is sick and needs
help" he said. you stay here and
I will send a man to see him"
III you just let him lone, he'll sleep
it off," volunteered Billy. Hes 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 srimy hand on the re-
gi0n 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 twisted?"
asked Sinton.
Billy appealed to the others. when
was It we had the stun on the
bridget"
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 II. Pa had come
back, he was drinking some more. and
he ate a lot of Utmost the whole
thing. and it made him sick as a deg,
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. "I'll
send you some things to eat with him.
What's your name, sonny?"
"Billy," said the boy.
"Well. Billy. I guess you better
come with me. I'll take care Of him."
Sinton promised the others. He reach
ed a hand to Billy.
Il amt no baby, I'm a boy" said
Billy as he shufiled along beside Sim
ton, taking kick at every movable
object without regard to his battered
toes.
Once they passed Great Dane dog
l0lling after its master, and Billy as
cended Sinton as II he was tree and
chung to him with trembling hot hands
II amt afraid Of that dog scofed
Billy rs he was again placed on the
walk, "but onc't he took me for rat
or somepin and his teeth cut into my
back. If I'd a done right I'd took
the law on him."
Sinton looked down into the indig-
nant little face. The child was bright
enough, he had a 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 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 a
tender, empty spot.
"Say, son." he said, 'fhow would you
like to be washed clean and have all
the supper your skin could hold and |
sleep in good bedT'
Jaw. geev' said Billy. II amt dead
yet. Them things is in heaven. Poor
folks can't have them. Pa said So"
''Well, you can have them IL you
want to go with me and get them,''
promised Sinton. /
"Kin I take some to Jimmy and |
BELIEF
IF you'll come with me and be my
boy I'll see that they have plenty
"What will pa sayY'
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