Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-22
Winner of $40 Prize

Winner OF $40 Prize
A FAVOR RETURNED
By Chester w. Billings of Pittsburgh
A RIVAL hardware salesman and were sitting in
~ the depot of little South Dakota town two
hundred miles west of Minneapolis one Novem-
Der night eight nine years ago. 1t was around
o'clock, and waiting for the eastbound pas
senger which take H. sixty miles down the line
and me to St. Paul.
The night was extremely cold and hard northwest
wind was blowing had Just remarked about the pros
poets of blizzard when the door opened and young
fellow looking much the for wear entered. He
made rush for the stove and gave sigh of relief as he
felt its warmth Presently he turned his attention
way, and said
1Well, Gents, this is pretty cold night
We agreed that it was and added that the prospects
for blizzard were quite promising.
Blizzard" he exclaimed. Il hope I'm out of this
region when it hits. just walked twelve miles from
the town below, and these toys and low cuts of
mine feel distinctly out of style; but the walk did my
appetite lot of good Wonder if you fellows could
stake me to the price of meal? I'm broke
My friend H., who had little sympathy with the
hayward class remarked that there plenty of work
around nowadays and that the majority of unorunates
we're themselves responsible for their condition.
Possibly so,' said the young fellow, with weak
attempt at smiling; @but I've had drama of hard luck
with circumstances playing the leading role, that's all
Excuse for asking.
He had started for the door; but stopped HIM and
gave him seventy-fve cents telling him to go and eat
He thanked me, and inquired my line of business. 4
gave him my card.
In about an hour hungry friend returned and said
he had had big meal and felt lots better He inquired
of the agent about westbound freghts, and was in
formed that would stop there for orders in half
hour. He picked up advertising circulars that
lying the tickle. counter, and went in the
corner and began scribbng Shortly the freight pulled
in and the young fellow turning up his coat collar
started out, saying he going to try and locate
warm empty" When he reached the door he beckoned
to me, saying:
I'D like to speak to you minute outside before I
leave
followed him out the platform.
aMy friend" he said, showing couple of slips of
paper my hand Il happen to be telegraph oper-
ator out Of work and my way to the coast. was
listening the wire when in that corner and
copied couple Of messages that going through
/ think they will do you some good Anyhow, l want
to show my appreciation for that feed"
Before could say anything he gone stepped
up the light from the ticket office window, and i'm
agne my surprise find of the messages addressed
to my firm and the other to HIS, from customer up
Aberdeen whom we both had called few days pre-
viously, but who didn't want anything. They read
follows:
Have decided to put in line of stock. Also open
ing branch in Montana. Send man at once. First
here gets the business.
Putting them into my pocket went into the depot,
and noticing HIS inquirng gaze, explained that the
young fellow just wanted to thank again. few
minutes before our train due made an excuse that
had forgotten something at the hotel, and would be
back in time, telling him l should meet him in the
smoking if he happened to get first. When the
eastbound with H. safely aboard had pulled out l