Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-12-17

quarter he sawene slip her; and It
jist happened run into him that eve
ming and got him in, or he'd a fr3ze to
death. I guess he must a. kind d had
EN- last night, cause he va the Wild
est man you ever see saw asshop-
pers with paper collars on Ind old
sows with feather-duster tails-ehe !
durndest program you ever heard Of.
And he got so bad onc't he was a-goin'
to belt Sis, and did try it; and and
had to chug him one or he'd a. done it,
And then he cried. and Sis cried, and
| cri-, - Dern him! you can bet yer
life | didn't cryi" And as the boy
spoke, the lips quivered into stern COM
preston, the little hands gripped closer
at his side, but for all that the flashing
eyes grew blurred and the lids dropped
downward
That's boss shine on them shoes
/ was mechanically telling over In
my hand the three small coins | had
drawn from my pocket.
THAT is a nice job" said gazing
with an unusual show Of admiration at
the work; and thought continued
/, with real regret, that ! had two
dimes and nickel there, and was
thinking that, as these were Christmas
times, I'd just give you quarter for
your work"
Honest, Cap?"
"Honest" | repeated, "but the fact
is the two dimes, as ] thought they
were, are only two three-cent pieces, so
I have only eleven cents in change,
after all"
"Spect they'd change bill fer you
'crost there at the lunch counter" he
suggested, with charming artlessness.
Wont have time-there's my train
just coupling. But take this-I'n see
you again some time, perhaps"
How big bill is it you want
changed?" asked the little fellow, with
a most acquisitive expression, and
swift glance at our then lonely sur
roundings.
Il only have one bill with me-" said
/, nervously, "and that's five
well here, then" said the boy, hur-n
l. AACAiJJ Will dlOthCA e1LA 1lOlC OIL QLAll-
izing glance about him-"guess can
'commodate you" And as / turned
in wonder, he drew from some mysteri-
GUS recess in the lining of his coat a.
roll of bills, from which he hastily de-
tached four in number, then returned
the roll; and before / had recovered
from my surprise, he had whisked the
RI 1of
hand instead the proper change.
This Is on the dead, now, Cap.
Don't you ever cheep about me havin'
wealth, you know; cause it amt mine
that is, it is mine, but I'm a.
There goes yer train. Ta-ta!"
'The day before Christmas said I,
snatching his hand, and speaking hur-
riedly-"the day before Christmas, I'm
coming back, and if you'll be here
when the five-thirty train rolls in you'll
find a man that wants his boots
blacked-maybe to get married in, or
something anyway he'll want shine
like this, and he'll come prepared to.
pay the highest market price-do you
understand
You list tell that Teller fer me-
said the boy, eclipsing the twinkle of
one eye, and dropping his voice to an
infection Of strictest confidence you
jist tell that teller fer me that I'm his
oyster!"
And you'll meet him, sure?' said /.
Il will" said the boy. And he kept
his word.
My ride home was an incoherent
futtering Of the wings of time, in
which travail one fretful hour was
born, to gasp it's first few minutes help
lessly; then moan, roll over and kick
out its legs and sprawl about; then
crawl a ittle-stagger to its feet and
totter on; then tumble down time or
two and knock its empty head against
the floor and howl; then loom up awk-
Wardly on gangling legs too much in