Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-12-14

HdSMYANN from Skeeters mOurnful
RS2MSN face to the bundle of pa
HYyWJS4N pers under the lads arm as
u&KyN the little fellow turned
! from signbOard at the
edge of the alley.
! "What youse whimperin' about
| y'mutt?' he asked. Then as Skeeter
fingered his newspapers, he added
| "StuckY'
| Il are" replied Skeeter sadly, lean -
| ing against the corner Of the building. "a
one foot resting on top of the other =
"An' look dere."
Blink cooked his left eye in the d.
rection of Skeeters nod, and with an
exclamation of boyish delight beheld
! the dramatic scenes portrayed in bril-
liant cOlOrS.
Blink was nfcknamed for that detection of his
left eye and readily recognizing that short. I'M
complicated names were suitable for the needs
Of their profession he had applied "Skeeter" to
his dimnutve younger brother with the authority
of the elder brother of fatherless family.
"Nhy Didn't I See Dat Last Week?"
After a few minutes of hard mental labor
Blink spelled out the wording. "Great Mike!" he
exclaimed. "Nhy didn't I see dat last week|
Then turning to Skeeter "Say, Skeet leave US 60
tonight hey? It's de Newsboy Detective It's
at de Regent, an we ken git in de loft fer 10
cents"
Again Skeeter's face was overspread with sad
ness. II only got 'nough to buy mudder's Christ
mas present. an six cents over" replied the boy
; IAN people amt buyin' no more"
Jaw, choke it off; youse amt on de job little
Bit" retorted Blink, although he knew that the
demand for papers was decreasing. He glanced
at Skeeter's big armful and then at his own slim
pile and softened Bit "G'wan now, make
hurry" he added. 'Ill give youse de foist
chance"
A customer whistled and Skeeter ran of. Blink
jingled the coins in his pocket "Tll help de poor
kid If he don't sell enough" he told himself.
"Sold tree" came Skeeters shrill voice from
the corner.
Blink beckoned to him with wildly waving
arms. "Hey youse, pipe yer lights over dere!' he
shouted, pointing across the street. "Gwan,
beat it."
DOdging In and out among the wagons and car
riages, Skeeter started across the street on
run. The street was crowded with traffic at that
point, there was great confusion OF noises, and
the little fellow did not hear the warning shouts
that preceded heavy dray drawn by two run
away horses. Suddenly it crashed full into an
empty carriage, and beneath the torn canvas, the
splintered wood and glass and the twisted iron
lay Skeeter stunned.
Blink, too was stunned by the suddenness of
the accident. Then bystanders helped him extrt-
cate both Skeeter and one of the men OF the
team Skeeter revived quickly, but the man was
severely injured, and while he and Skecter lay
waiting for the ambulance he held a brief, hur-
ried talk with his partner.
"Remember, Jm," he said in a low tone audi
Bile enough to Skeeter, them two tanks what's
marked is them what has the gasolene forced in
'em; other twos plain. The teams all right
amt it?'
The man nodded
'Then get 'em up to the Regent as soon as you
cam" the injured man continued. "Bll knows
the mark, but be suren tell him they're for the
second performance tonight"
Blink had Skeeter home by seven o'clock. W.
sions of the preparations which their mother
and Skeeter and he had made for their Christmas
feast had strengthened his pleadings with the
hospital doctors. They found a badly sprained
ankle and few bruises.
Blink had cast aside all thought Of the theater
after the accident but when his mother and he
had made Skeeter comfortable in bed Skeeter
said "Aint youse gon', Blink"
"Ain't no good" returned Blink, shifting awk-
wardly.
"Ain't? repeated Skeeter. his head thrust up
in emphasis. Oats all you knows. Why, dere's
gon' to be two performances tonight"
Blink's eyes opened wide in surprise. 'Twor
he exclaimed. "Who said sol"
"De man what went to de hospital wit me-"
said Skeeter and he told Of the conversation.
'sHully JIM" exclaimed Blink excitedly. Deere
must be some class to dat show"
II tink co." Skeeter agreed AN say, Blink,
you 20, an tomorrer youse kin tell me all
about It"
Blink slapped his knee and jumped from his
chair II never fought Of dat" he said. I'll
do it."
A long line Of eager newsboys stretched from