Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-03-07

Iuell.
But if he came to steal trees
wouldn't he bring teams and men
enough, that all any man could do
would be to watch and be after your
queried the boy.
YES" replied Mclean.
"Then why couldn't L be watching
just as closely and coming as fast as
an older, stronger man?'
why, by George. you couldv' ex-
claimed Mclean. Il don't know that
the size OF u man would be half so
important as his grit and f%aithfulness.
What is your name"
Freckles grew a shade whittier, but
his eyes never faltered.
"Freckles." he said.
Good enough for every day." laugh
ed Mclean, but l can scarcely nut
Freckles on the company's books"
Il haven't any name," replied the
boy.
81 don't understand said Mclean.
Il 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 Il newborn baby and row
over it until it was bruised black, cut
off its hand and leave it out in a bit
ter night on the steps of a charity
home. to the care of strangers? That's
what somebody did to me.
THE home people took me in, and 1
was there the full legal age and several
years over. They could always find
homes for the rest of the children.
but nobody would ever be wanting me
on account of me arm"
Were they kind to you?" asked Nc
Lean.
81 don't know" answered Freckles.
The reply sounded so hopeless even to
his W ears that he fastened to quail
ify it by adding: you see, it's like
this, sir. Kindnesses that people are
paid to lay off in job lots and that
belong equally to several hundred 9th
ers amt going to be soaking into any
n fellow much"
go on" said Mclean.
"There's nothing worth the taking of
your time to TELL" replied Freckles.
"The home was in Chicago. and I was
there all me life up to three months
ago. When l was too old for the train
ing they gave to the little children they
sent me out to the nearest ward school
as long as the law would let them, but
I was never like any of the other chill
dren, and they all knew it. I'd to &c and
come like a prisoner and be working
about the home early and late for me
board and clothes. I always wanted
to learn mighty bad, but I was glad
when that was over.
"Then a new superintendent sent me
down in the state to a man he said he
knew that needed a boy. He wasn't
for remembering to tell that man that
I was a hand short. and he Knocked
me down. Between noon and that
evening he and his son. about my age,
had me in pretty much the same shape
in which I was found in the beginning,
so l lay awake that night and ran
away. I'd like to have squared me ac-
count with that boy before I left. but
1 didn't dare for fear of waking the
old man, and 1 knew T 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 ever 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 and put me into his rags,
and that went almost as sore as the
beatings, for where l was we were al
ways kept tidy and sweet smelling
anyway. I hustled clear into this state
before I learned that man couldn't
have kept me if he'd wanted to. I
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 I'VE this mat
ter" answered Mclean. II am not so
sure but that a man no older than you
and like you in every way could do
this work very well if he were not a
coward"
eff you will give me a job where I
can arm me food, clothes and a place
to Sleep" said Freckles, IF I can have
a boss to work for like other men. and
a place 1 feel I've a right to I will do
what you tell me or die trying"
He said it so quietly and convinc-
ingly that Mclean found himself an
swering: Il will enter you on my pay
rolls. Well have supper. and then l
will provide you with clean clothing.
wading boots. wire mending apparatus
and a revolver. The first thing in the
morning 1 will take you over the trail
myself. All I ask of you is to come
to me at INC at the south camp and
tell me like a man if you find this job
too hard for you. 1t is work that few
men would perform faithfully. What
name shall I put DOWN."
Freckles' eyes never left McLean's
face. and the boss saw the swift spasm
Of pain that swept his lonely, sensitive
face.
"I haven't anv naman ha sold otuh-