The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-11-14

him. he had gone the limit and a
little beyond. He was now facing
eternity.
Sinton went out and closed the door.
"Your father IL sick and needs
help" he said. You stay here and
I will send a man to see him"
"If you just let him lone, he'll sleep
II off," volunteered Billy. Hes that
way all the time. but he wakes up
awhile Only waitin' twists you up In
side pretty bad"
The boy wore no air of complaint.
He was merely stating facts.
Wesley Slnton looked hard at Billy.
Are you twisted up inside nowT' he
asked.
Billy laid 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 twistedT
asked Sinton.
Billy appealed to the others. "When
was it we had the stuff on the
bridgef'
Yesterday morning" said the girl
SIS that all gomez asked Sinton.
"She went and told us to take II
home" said Billy ruefully, "and cause
she said to, we took IL. Pa had come
back, he was drinking some more, and
he ate lot of Utmost the whole
thing, and II 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. "Tll
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."
Sinton promised the others. He reach
ed a hand TO Billy.
81 amt no baby, I'm boy" said
Billy as he shuffled along beside Sin
ton. taking a kick at every movable
object without regard to his battered
toes.
Once they passed Great Dane dog
lolling after Its master. and Billy as
ceuded Slnton as IL he was tree and
chung to him with trembling hot hands.
81 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 somepln and his teeth cut into my
back. IL I'd a done right I'd took
the law on him"
Slnton looked down into the indlg-
naut little face. The child was bright
enough, he had a good head. but, oh,
such a body!
Wesley Sinton reached his hand.
They were coming into the business
part Of Onabasha. and the streets we're
crowded Billy understood II to mean
that he might lose his companion and
took grip. That little hot hand
cllnging 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, how would you
like to be washed clean and have all
the supper your skin could hold and
sleep In a good bedT
Jaw. geer' 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 II you
want TO go with me and get them"
promised Sinton.
"Kln l take some to Jimmy and
BELIEF
"If you'll come with me and be my
Joy I'll see that they have plenty"
"What will pa sayT'
"YOur pa Is In that kind of sleep now
where he won't wake up. Billy" said
slnton. II am pretty sure the law
will give you to me II you want to
come"
when people don't ever wake up
they're dead" announced Billy. us
my pa deadf'
Eyes, he Is" answered Sinton.
"And you'll take care Of Jimmy aud
Belle. toof"
II cant adopt all three Of YOU" said
sinton. EN- take you and see that