Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-05-15
Johnny's Tommy

Johnny and his Tommy had whole
big beautiful orchard to themselves 70
play in. In spring 1t looked as II 1t had
been covered with pink and white
snow, the blossoms were so thick on
the trees; and In late summer and the
fall there were ripe apples lying N tne
grass under the green trees. tommy
liked summer best, and so did Johnny's
Tommy.
Johnny was very small boy, and his
Tommy was a very small calf. This III.
tie calf was as white as snow, ana haa
the dearest dark eyes and the most
silky ears one ever saw. Tommy be-
longed wholly to Johnny, and every
day the little boy went three times to
the orchard with milk in a pail for his
pet Sometimes greedy Tommy upset
his bucket and split the milk, and then
Johnny would have to travel back Tor
more.
Just outside the beautiful orchard
lay the railroad track, and sometimes
the up freight train had to wait right
In front of the orchard until the man
in the tower by the track signaued Tor
1t to come on. This was great nun Tor
Johnny: for Johnnys father had fixed
up a pulley post by the hedge with
wheel that Johnny could turn. ana
which would wind up long rope hang.
ing from the top Of the post, and to the
end Of the rope was fastened small
basket. Johnny would fill the basket
with big red apples, and wind 1t slowly
to the top Of the hedge. Then, quick as
wink, the fireman's big black hand
would seize and empty the basket. and
all the trainmen would call out THANK
you, Johnny"
johnny deadly loved to work the lit
tie pulley, and If the train had to wait
very long for the signal the basket was
raised more than once, and every man
on the train was sure to have several
apples in his pockets to take home to
his children.
the orchard the little white calf was
nowhere in sight. The inquisitive little
creature had squeezed through the
hedge. and when at last Johnny spied
him he was standing exactly In tho
middle Of the track.
Come, Tommy! Come Tommy"
called Johnny in fright. for it was not
long until train time. "Oh," said he to
himself, running up and down behind
never to go on the track, I could get out
and drive him of; but promised her
I'd never 20 outside the orchard"
There was no use in running to this
house for help, because his mother had
gone down to the village and there was
no one at home but grandma, and she
was lame. So Johnny could only coax
and call to Tommy, and hold out 9
tempting apple through the hedge. But
and he paid no attention. you'll be
killed, Tommy" screamed Johnny sud-
denly, for he heard the freight train
coming.
The engineer had told Johnny that he
always whistled once II the train must
stop; but If the track was clear and
the signal was out he would blow twice
as he came on.
Clear and sharp came the two blasts
that said, mo stop!'
Johnny laid down in the grass and
sobbed, but Tommy, outside, planted
his feet firmly on a tie, and like the
goose" a young calf often Ia, stood
and faced the monster. .
Suddenly the engineer saw Johnn's
Tommy, and brought tho train to 9
standstill. A grimy brakeman leaped
off, seized the stubborn fellow, rushed
down the bank, and. in spite Of his
hole where he had orawled out to the
track an hour before.
Don't cry, JOHNNY" he called cheer
fully. Tommy Is all right. You watch
this hole till some one comes, for an
other train'll be along pretty soon!
Can't wait!" In minute the train was
rushing along again.
When he had wiped away his tears.
Johnny buckled on Tommy's strap and
led him to the house, for he didn't dare
have him in the orchard until the hedge
was mended. He led Tommy up to his
mother and told her the story.
"That was very kind engineer" said
Johnny's mother after she had heard
it. Guess he remembered the apples"
Then they both laughed at the big
black finger marks on Tommy's white
coat; but that foolish, fat little animal
just kicked up his heels, broke loose,
and scampered to the pail by the gate
to see If dinner had been served
Hilda Richmond, in Little Folks.