The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-01-25
investigate.

termelon rose investigate. It was
pe"-'y th.oe p at three he would 20.
or the man down yonder in the swim
ming hole might come after him to
reclaim his clothes and motor-car. The
Watermelon begrudged every precious
moment.
"Wait, and I will see what the mutt
w"-ts." said he. You will wait;
won't you?" he pleaded. looking down
ut her where she sat on the log.
I'VE really ought to co." said Billy.
"All right, but don't rnn OF until
Twelve cured that cough, will you?"
Billy nodded and the Watermelon
strobe to the bushes from whence had
sounded the harsh, constrained cough.
He push d the branches aside and
gaxed into the small, pinched face of
a thin youth of about eighteen, dressed
In the uniform of the hotel.
Hist" cautioned the boy. before
the Watermelon could speak. II want
to tell you something important"
"All right, spit it out and bs quick
about it" ordered the Watermelon.
IL don't want no. ono to hear
me-" said the boy. with q motion
toward the log and Bifly's slim young
back.
The Watermelon hesitated, but in
the shifty eyes he saw fear and def
erence. II he knew the Watermelon
for tramp, there would be no defer
ence.
"Gwan, spit It out" ordered tho
Watermelon. II amt keen for tho
pleasure of hearing any Of your hsart
to heart secrets"
TITS very important" saa6 ths boy.
'and no one must hear"
Il suppose you think svssy 60 n
bursting to hear your words q w.
DOM" said the watarmalon. PFos.
ably get dime word, ehf'
"1ts about you." aid The boy. hszsh
with impatience and neevuaumaoA
Its" He drew q piscs Of pa2oe
from his pocket aud hsld Il ost ~Ba
gave me that to ssod."
who arc youf"
The telegraph cserk" wasispsssd
tho boy. with 4 trishtaned slanss
toward BILLY on the loS.
The Watermelon read tho paDar
and smiled slow. sweet smile Of an-
ticipated pleasure a. tho fun imposa
of Bartlett's telegram became osaar.
He glanced at BILLY and his suni3s
deepened. Then hs tarned ana drew
the boy farther away.
Bartlett sent this. eh?"
eyes," cried the boy. eager With ez.
element over the service he was RON
dering the great man. "An6 tho min
ute read It and knew that you ware
here, know you ought DO have it,
Where Is he now7'
Il seen him on the front porch
with Miss Crossman. Say. youn want
to be going now. won't you, huh? You
ken get to New York tonight II you
hurry"
The Watermelon ratified the coins
In his pockets and looked down at
the thin. crafty face Of the younguter.
kid" said he. III you keep on az
you've begun. you'll be doing time,
sure. You're thieving little snipe
and ought to be head Of = corpora.
ton some day, or . United States sen.
ator, cause you haven't ~ much
honor as q grasshopper, see? don't
know why you shouldn't land In Sins
Sing. II you miss the corporation Job
or the senate"
"Huh," said the boy. reddening with
the praise Of the great man.
IF you let on that you have shown
this to me, you will lose your Job
here, you know. SO. until ! can see
my friend, ]. Pierpont. about that
!, other Job for you. you'd better keep
your mouth shut. Understand7"
"Sure," cried the boy. "Courss ]
understand"
The Watermelon handed him a
quarter. when I reach New York.
said he airily, ''In send you mo check
for q thousand"