Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1917-01-05
HowBilly Was Sent
to His Mother
By HANNAH HIRSHFIELD

man in charge of an express car that
was about to be pulled out, heres a
package l want you to carry to Mil
ford Center"
GOwan produced "a box about three
feet long by eighteen inches broad and
deep. The lid was hinged and held
closed by hook and staple. The box
was perforated and marked: Perish
able. This side up with care"
81 can't take it, said the express
man. "You must put it through the
Office in the regular way"
GOwan took a ten dollar bill from
his pocket book and put it in Tom
Murphy's hand.
Tom" said Gowan, Its my boy
Billy. His mother went to Milford
yesterday, and I've got to leave home
tonight. Billy must go to his mother.
He's too young to travel alone. and
the company wouldn't take such per
Ishable property. You'll be alone in
the car, won't your"
Eyes: I'll be alone in the car. and 1
can let the boy out between stations.
box. How old is he?"
Give
''Well, I'll try it on for you, Jim. but
don't want your money"
GOwan took the box into the open
car, lifted the lid. and Billy cIinched
his arms around his fathers neck.
BILLY, you must keep very quiet un-
less Mr.. Murphy opens the box If
any one hears you in the box You
won't get ride
eyes, daddy. I'll be quiet"
"Well, goodby. Give mother kiss
for me-"
"All right, daddy"
"Tll close the lid till the train is off
and the car door closed. then Mr.. Muir
ply will let you out"
The father unwOund his sons arms
with kiss. closed the lid. slipped the
hook through the staple and left the
car. In a few moments there was a
putting and a grinding of wheels. and
the train pulled out The lid was again
lifted, and Tom Murphy stood looking
down at Billy with an amused smile.
as it time to get up?" asked the boy.
II reckon I'll let you get out for
twenty minutes. Then when we stop
at the station you'll have to get back
again."
Billy sat up, and Murphy lifted him
out onto the floor Of the car Billy
looked about him wonderingly at the
boxes and packages piled here and
there. Seeing a tricycle.. he was much
$voAo -
have ride, But Murphy objected
When the whistle sounded for the next
station Murphy said:
Nov. Billy. you must get back into
your crib and keep very quiet until you
hear the door shut and the train move
on
When the train stopped a special
agent Of the express company got in
the car. He told Murphy he was going
to the next station and would ride in
the car. Murphy suggested that he
would be more comfortable in q pas
senger coach, but he was not to be dis
suaded. Settling himself on a box near
Billy's crib. he lighted a cigar.
When the train moved on Murphy
was much disturbed The next stop
would not be made for half an hour.
and he feared Billy would not be able
to keep quiet so long. But Billy I'M
dOubtedly appreciated the situation. for
he lay perfectly still. The special
agent. who was a supervisor as we'll
took occasion to say to Murphy that
there had been many cases Of goods
carried by the cOmrany's agents the
charges for which had gone into the
agents pockets. He had been on the
watch for such and had caught several
agents in the act. They had at once
been DISCHARGED While communicate
ing this fact he looked about him. Muir
ply thought, with view to discover
ing another case.
Finally the supervisor got tired of
talking and smoked in silence. Sud
denly he cooked his head on one side
and listened. Was that some one
breathing? He got up from his seat
and walked about trying to locate the
sound till he finally stopped bending
over Billy's crib. He distinctly heard
the sound of some one breathing in
sleep. Murphy was at rude desk at
an end Of the car looking over some
way bills. His back was to the super
visor, who unlocked the lid Of Bills
box. and, lifting it. there was Billy
sound asleep. CHANGING at Murphy.
the supervisor saw he was not OBJ
served He stood for moment with
his eyes bent on the boys innocent
face irresOlute. then softly lowered the
lid.
A few minutes later the train stopped
at the next station.
'"TOm," said the supervisor. "aIl i
want from you is that you haven't
made any money that properly belongs
to the company"
81 haven't was Toms reply.
$50 long" And he left the car.
AS soon as a new start was made
Tom went to Billy to let him out Of his
box. The hook was not in the staDle.