The Tomahawk., 1918-12-19

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Couldn't YcxSk9oH:9"
6|0L1NK CoRRIGAN looked
HdtNNZ3ANA from Skeeter's mournful
ISEA&HH face to the bundle Of pa
NSfgQW&4N pers under the lads arm as
fGSRgH the little fellow turned
- from a sgnboard at the
edge of the alley =.
y "What youse whimperin' about,
y'mutt?" he asked. Then as Skeeter
fingered his newspapers. he added
"Stuck?'
II 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 nicknamed for that detection of his
left eve and readily recognizing that short, un-
complicated names were suitable for the needs
of their profession he had applied "Skeeter" to
his diminutive younger brother with the authority
of the elder brother of fatherless family.
"Why Didn't See Dat Last Week?"
After few minutes of hard mental labor
Blink spelled out the wording. "Great Mike!" he
exclaimed. "Why didn't / see dat last week"
Then turning to Skeeter "Say, Skeet, leave us go
tonight, hey? It's de 'Newsboy Detective It's
at de Regent an we ken git In de lott Ter 10
cents" +..-... 49,. =. ..--
q 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.
"An' people amt buyin' no more"
'Aw, 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 a bit. "G'wan now. make
hurry" he added. I'LL give youse de foist
chance"
A customer whistled and Skeeter ran off, Blink
jingled the coins in his pocket. I'll help de poor
kid if he don't sell enough" he told himself,
"sold tree" came Skeeter's shrin voice from
the corner.
Blink beckoned to him with wildly waving
arms. "Hey, youse pipe yer lights over dere !" ne
shouted pointing across the street. "G'wan,
beat it." ..-. >-
Dodgng IN and out among the wagons and car
r1ages Skeeter started across the street on q
run. The street was crowded with traffic at that
point. there was a great confusion of noises, and
the little fellow did not hear the warning shouts
that preceded a heavy dray drawn by two run
away horses. Suddenly it crashed full into an
emptyucarriage, and beneath the torn canvas, the
splintered wood and glass and the twisted iron
lay Skeeter, stunned. ..-t[
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 brief, hur-
ried talk with his partner.
'Remember, Jim" ,"'he said in a low tone, audi
bic enough to Skeeter, "them two tanks what's
marked is them what has the gasoiene forced In
em; other twos plain. The teams all right,
amt it?'' ~ - -
The man nodded. ,,--.~.
'srhen xet 'em up to the Regent soon you
ean" the injured man continued bill knows
the mark, but be suren tell him they're for the
second performance tonight"
Blink had Skeeter home by seven o'clock. VI
aions Of the preparations which their mother
and Skeeter and he had made for their Christmas
feast had strengthened his peadngs 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, "Ain't youse goin. BlinkT
"Ain't no good" returned Blink, shifting awk-
warlly.
"AintT repeated Skeeter. his head thrust up
In emphasis Oats all you knows. Why, dere's
eoin' to be two performances tonight"
Blink's eyes opened wide in surprise. Two"
he exclaimed. "Who said so!" ~
"De man what went to de hospital Wit me-"
aid Skeeter and he told Of the conversation.
~Hally Jim n exclaimed Blink exctedly. 'Dere
rnnst be some class to dat show"
Il t'ink %" Skeeter agreed. An say, Biinks
you go, an tomorrer youse kin tell me al
about It" .1
Blink slapped hi. knee and Jumped from his
chair. II never fought Of dat" he said I'll
Do It"
long lire oe sase newsboy, ssrstehed from