South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-01

voung fellows. He had a ready wit,
n fearless heart, a big strong body.
slightly red-head and a decidedly
ruddy complexion, a good set Of
eeth and an ever-ready smile.
In only one respect was he differ
emit He was the only man who
Knew how 10 get off a moving train.
bus, or trolley car in manner both
startling and scientific. He got off
backwards much as women are not
to do. Joe said if you leaned for
ward so your chest touched your
knee and landed on your left foot,
YOU could get off any vehicle in mo-
ton without so much as moving an
nch. The momentum would merely
straighten you from a bent position
10 a Standing erect position.
Joe said he had learned the trick
when a boy while working on COney
sland Carousels. The grey hairs
nd palpitating hearts he had given
.onductors since that time would
AXE a qualified statistician TO tab
ulate. Nevertheless he did it day IN
and out and never had a fall. Joe
would smile at a conductor who
would shake his head in a manner
that indicated an extreme doubt Of
Joe's sanity. Joe's smile was con-
tagious. though and few were the
conductors who didn't smile back.
Only one thing was wrong with
Joe's system-you couldn't see what
was ahead Of you or, more properly
behind your back when you dropped
off a bus.
It was a clear October morning
when Joe in dismounting from a bus
in his bizarre fashion had an acct
dent He landed on a mans foot.
you damn fool!' the elderly
aristocratic gentleman shouted
Cant you look where you're going?
Want to kill somebody"
Joe blushed and smiled. He
smiled at a trim little figure in a
blue travelling suit who was standing
behind the elderly gentleman. main
ly because she seemed amused at
the accident.
What are you laughing at, you
idiot?" the old man snarled at him.
Are you looking for a jail?"
NO" said Joe. I'm looking for a
Job. I'm very sorry mister. It's my
fault, OF course. hope I didn't hurt
your foot badly. If there is any
thing I can do for -"
The man looked as If he were go
ing to have apoplexy.
Now, father" purred the girl
from away down in her silver fox
furs. don't become angry. The
young man meant nothing. He's
very sorry. The point is am I go
ing to drive the car home or not?"
"Emphatically NO!i"
'T'n drive for you. boss" volun-
teered Joe.
"Youl Such insolence!!"
The elderly man was beside him
self.
But somebody must father. Con-
troll yourself. The doctor said that
Nelson can't leave the hospital. He
will be operated on Immediately. l
don't think it is every chauffeur who
would drive you to the hospital
while suffering with an attack of
acute appendicitis. You think your
old board Of directors is very i'm
portant but you ought to be thank
full we got Nelson here. 1t may
save his life"
IF 1 can help"-said Joe peni-
emily
can you drive?" the girl looked
at him inquiringly.
Nearly anything" said Joe
from oxen to ambulances."
But you were going somewhere,
she said half in disappointment.
only TO see my kid brother In
here" He pointed 10 the Hospital
in front OF which the automobile
was standing. But ! can take you
where you want 10 go and ther
come back If it will help you out OF
la hole"
do you hear that father?"
yes, yes, hear! All right. Yon'rt
hired. Well, jump in, Joan. This
isn't tea party"
Father. I'm going on home. Wei
/ call for you at twelve" said Joar
Despret. as they left Mr.. Despret In
/ front Of the bank.
But she didn't go on home.
/ Dlu you oetS SOuA ~ - 50
the hospital"
Yes, miss" said Joe.
my father is a trustee there"
An embarrassing silence followed
/ then:
Couldn't we go to see your
brother on the way home? Is hi
very sick? I want to inquire about
/ Na1sor, anxyvyav"
"Oh say. Miss, II you'd come in &c
see Jack II would make him hap
py! Infantile paralysis. you know
Cant walk. Nine years old. Gamest
kid you ever saw. They call him
/ Smiling Jack all over the hospital
He your brother? Father has
told me OF him. Oh, ne is so brave
the doctors say"
tear dropped from Joe's eye
\ but all ne did was shout at a brew
\ cry truck for no. keeping closer tC
/ the curb Wan, the whole street"
\ he beloved.
YES" continued Joe. II go VI
every day. He and 7 are great pals
all that is left OF a family OF
seven. But Jack is full OF sunshine
I He always says, When are you GO
/ ing TO bring Cinderella TO see me?
I read him the story once. you know
and I always tell him next time