New-York tribune., 1913-09-07

- midst Of still more small boys, all OF
the same DANGEROUSLY unclean class as his
first three acquaintance. He shuddered as
they lcaped about, yowling, dancing
almost wondered if they were not germs
themselves. But before he could quite make
1p his mind two Of them had seized long
round club and were placing Their hands on
il. first one. then the other, till one had
claspcd the end Of the stick, whcreupon ne
flung the stick down and pointed his fingers
at one Of the boys.
His companion beckoncd to Boob. 49,
The first boy picked another, saying, u
choose Wabbles.
"Blinker!" shouted the other chooscr.
"Hcv." said Blinker, drawing Santas for
ward. "choosc this kid, will yer'
kin he play''
"Surcl"
And Sanitas found himself chosen-for
what he knew not.
The small boy is adaptive, even when
stuntcd bv ovcrcduCation. like Sanltas Per
lection Briggs. and inside Of five minutes
he had discovered that there was game
called baseball In ten he was immersed IN
il. In fifteen he had crossed the plate with
the first run Of his life, and within halt an
hour he was calling the umpire a roober
and poking his ist-as grimy inst as was
ever secn-into his face while an admring
clientele stood behind him and cXhorted
him:
"Go it, SAMMY! Donchcr leave him bluit
YOU. SAMMY, He's a robber."
1t was during Sanny's sides turn at bat
lthcy had given him his nickname, when
blow fcll \ female voice shricked from
somewhere:
George, Oh. Gcorgy."
Blinkcr bent at the knees, and Sanitas5
wondered why. The voice came again, ana
Blinkcr turned whitc-White as Samtas
linen costume had been
"Gcc" he faltcrcd. Its me old woman.
She sent me 10 the store, gotter go,
\ shaft Of horrible recollection struck the
heart Of Our hero. Miss Aandriycr. He
would have been missed by this time, and II
he had
II guess III be going too, he said, and
followed the fleeing Blnkcr on run across
the field.
say. he gaspcd. on the heels Of the other,
give me a boost over my fence, VIII YOU
Are they after you too;" asked Blinkcr.
"I-I'm afraid so.
Don't tell cm Il was me. sad Blnkcr,
and Sanitas promised.
So. reaching his yard, Bhnkcr gave him
the boost continuing his own retreat almost
before Sani,as had swarmcl to the top Of the
wall
With q palpi,a'ing heart Sanitas waited
for % moment There were no signs that his
absence had been discovered. But he
glanced down at his clothes, dirty and ter
rblv ,uuslci. al his shoes. once white can
vas. now anything else; az his hands
on. horrors, He WAS 81 goncr, Billions OF
germs were creeping around his interior, no
doubt. and IL would bc miracle II he could
yet into the house alive But he must try.
He threw himself to the 'crracot,a yard and
skunk in Very quietly he went up the stairs
no signs Of Miss Nanirivcr. He sought
the second story before he called hcr-stlll
no signs. And then he had "a most wicked
idea. Perhaps, il he hurried. he could hide
the signs of his sin he had other white linen
clothes, other white shoes. and he could
wash his hands and face. He rushed into
his room.
TWENTY minutes later he heard the
front door open. Inl Miss MInirVcr
called his name Tie answered swcctly
"Oh. She said q, She came upstairs, YOU
came IN from the yuri,"
"Ys. Miss AIandriycr said Slnitas
tru,h,uly.