Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1913-04-09
Placing the
Responsibility

chester AlDury fletcher Sifaduleu
his coaster and patiently waited tor
the old lady who was descending the
steep hill to reach the bottom.
Chester did not ike old iadies-at
least when they Wee on the Gardner
street hill
Gardner street haI gutter covers at
the street corners and one could coast
the whole three blocks OF the hill,
and run along on the level sidewalk
for perhaps another block. The Red
Racer could so further than any
other coaster when the aXles were
greased-which was whenever Ches-
ter could find a wagon and no driver
watching.
Mrs. Halsey finally reached the bot
tom Of the hill and turned into SUIT
ton street. SO with q whoop Chester
drew up his feet ard the Red Racer
was OFF The coaster gained speed
with every revolution of the wheels
and at the end of the second block
was tearing along finely. Chester had
lately encountered I coal wagon
freshly creased and the aX!es OF his
own wagon were now we'll supplied.
He yelled a warning as he neared
the corner of Sutton street. Ben
Travis was crossing the street in a
strangely absent minded manner. he
did not seem to hear the shouts nor
the rattle Of the wheels, and Chester,
being but eight and YET to experience
his own first touch OF the master pas
sion, could not know that Elsie Bay
ard. coming along Sutton street in the
opposite direction. was responsible
for Ben's abstraction,
1t Is rather embarrassing to come
face to face with a girl who only the
night before has passionateiy declared
that she never wants to see you
again. Travis was wondering
whether to bow OF % act as though
he had never seen Elsie before. IN
the face of such an absorbing prob
lem it was not strange that he should
not hear the coaster.
Elsie herself was equally engaged in
trying to decide whether she would
bow codly II Ben aid bow and 80 it
happened that, unconscious OF the rat
tie Of the wheels. she st@rped almost
| directly In the path oG the speeding
! coaster
; With A quick twist OF the wheels
. Chester essayed 10 pass between the
! two. He could have made it had not
! Ben sprung forward 20 push Elsie out
! of the way and had come himself dl'
rectly in the path CT me machine.
There was a crash. a cry and Ches
te, rolled over into the gutter while
Ben lay still and whi.e at Eisie's feet
Unmindful of her dainty dress, Elsie
threw herself upon '.eT knees beside
the unconscious man. little CROWD
soon gathered and .EGffered aid. One
brought a glass Of water and With this
Elsie restored Bel . consciousness
and assisted hin. ;Gfn the drug store
on the corner. IL had been badly
shaken up, but Elsia's ninistrations
We're more potent than the sulnuan'
that the druggist rtofired. and pres
emily he rose weakly 10 his feet ant
announced his ability 10 get home IN
assisted,
Il an going with YOU declared Ell
sic You are not ft to go by your
sell"
DO not trouble" urged Ben. though
his ewes twinkled. "You have done faI
more than have a right to expec
from a stranger
"Dont," cried Elsie with little
shudder. II was thinking Of that whel
YOU lay there so still and white. Ha'
YOU died l never could have forgiven
myself
Then you mean-T questione'
Ben.
.I mean that I am sorry for las
night" she confessed. But II 1t ha'