Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-21
CHAPTER VII.
In Which the Bait 10 NlbbIsd.


form beside the Bar Harbor ex-
press. Some wore plying ex-
spressions, others smiled little toler-
antly. Pals Face Harry sneered
openly.
"Nutty!~ no coushed. and touched
his forehead. Nothing doing in the
upper story-some one ought to look
after him."
The Flopper, crippled thing on the
ground, fixed Pale Face Harry with
pointed forennger.
.'Youse don't look Ike You had many
weeps to spare for anybody but yer
self-ye're fallin' to pieces" said the
FIopper. II didn't ask you nor any
Of youse to butt in-I was talkn' to
dis lady here"
He mot!cned toward young wo-
man in 4 wheeled invalid chair, who.
between 4 trained nurse on one side
and gentleman on the other, was re-
gardinx him with startled express
sion In her eyes.
She turned now and spoke to the
gentleman beside her.
aRobert,n she said In q low, anxious
tone, do you think that-that there
can be anything In it,"
@HGve you lost your head, MAZDA
| che man laughed. THE are OF mira
cles has passed"
"But he u 50 sure" she whispered.
''Poppycockf' said her companion
. contemptuously.
The Flopper. in good, If unfashion-
4onable and ready made clothes, fresh
linen and a clean shave, turned q
bright, intelligent face on the man at
this remark.
II guess youse are de kind" he said
with a grim smile, dat amt had to
kill yerself worryin' much about any
kind Of trouble. an It amt nothin' to
you to cut de ground Of hope out
from another guys feet an let him
slide. Mabbe you think I'm nutty, too,
because I knsw I'm soin' to be cured.
But 1t doesn't hurt You none to have
me think SO, does It? Mabbe some day
you might like to hope little your
SELF, an IT,
"sBoard! All Saboardr' the cOnduc-
tors voice doomed down the platform.
The young woman leaned forward in
her chair toward the FIopper.
II know what It is TO hope" she said
softly. .Will YOU come back into oar
<ar after. awhile? I'd like to have you
tell me more about this. Please dos
Sure" responded the Flopper anna
bly,.
The crowd broke up, hurrying for the
train, ana the Flopper. dragging ava
nse beside him, jerked himself toward
the steps.
"swipe me II I amt got bite a.
ready" he told himself, "an' outer
private car too! Wouldn't dat bump
your An, say, wait till you see de Doc
crow up his dukes when he listens 10
me- liandin' out nue. sterilized English"
The brakeman and kind hearted
fellow passenger helped the Flopper
into the train, and thereafter for an
hour or more In the f1rst class coach
the Hopper held undisputed sway. Tho
passengers, docking from the other
cars, filed the aisle and seriously in
terfered with the lordly movements OF
the train crew.
NJ The Eopper was in deadly, serious
earnest. There was no doubt, no pos
sibIs room for doubt, on that scors.
Ono had but to look at the flush upon
h!s tcheek: s.A note the ring &c COW ic-
ton In his voice. Even Pale Face
Harry's gibes and meers melted before
the unsuitable, assurance, and he be-
came, with reservations. noticeably i'm
pressed.
A metropolitan newspaper man was
struck with the idea of q humorous &C.
ries Of articles to pay for his vacation,
entitled characters I Have Met In
Name and forthwith, perched on the
back Of the seat behind the Hopper.
proceeded to sketch out the first one
with the mental determination to get
Of at Medley for the local color nee
sssary to its climax.
The F1opper was an artist, and he
was In his glory. Where bis position
became Individually weak he Sidestep-
ped with the frank admission that he
knew no more than they. he knew
only one thing. and that was the only
thing he cared about he was going
down to Medley TO be cured-and he
lot them see Mr.. Higgins letter.
"A porter from tho rear car squirmed
and wriggled his way down to the seat
occupied BY the sFlopper.
"Mistah Tho'nton. sah," he an
nounced Importantly, would like to
zee you In his private car. II you could
done make u convenient, sah."
"Surer said the Flopper.
The passengers crowded up, standing
on the seats and arm rests to make
room for the Flopper to crawl down
the aisle, while the porter preceded
him to open the doors.
Through the car in the rear Of the
enc ne nad occupied, the regular parlor
CIR. the Hopper, a piteous spectacle,
made his way; chairs turned, the occu-
pants Grained their necks after the de-
formed and broken creature, while
smothered ordinations and little
cries OF sympathy from the women fol
lowed him along. The Flopper's eyes
never lifted from the strip Of carpet
before him, but his lips moved. Y,
"Gee!' hs muttered. dis has de
cape wagon skun mile. Wish I could
pass dc hat-I'd make de killin' Of me
young life. Oh. gee, Atthess Flopper
sighed u got to let It go!'
with regret still poignantly affecting
! I'm s.;s Essi,i:ss PASSED IN into me