The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-12-12

H0H l the little 1elIOW turned
from q sgnbOard at the
edge of the alley.
What yOuse whimperin' about,
ymutt? he asked. Then Skeeter
fingered his newspapers he added,
stuck"
Il are" replied Skeeter sadly, lean -
ing against the corner of the building,
foot resting top of the other.
AN look dere." -
Blink cooked his left eye in the di-
rectiOn of Skeeters nod, and with
exclamation of bOyish delight beheld
the dramatic scenes portrayed in bril-
liant cplOrs.
Blink was nicknamed for that detection of his
left eye and readily recognizing that short IN
complicated were suitable for the needs
of their profession. he had applied "Skeeter' to
his dminutive younger brother with the authority
of the elder brother of a 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 I 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 loft fer 10
cents"
ness. 81 only got nough to buy mudder's Christ
present an six cents over" replied the boy.
An people amt buyin' more"
"Aw choke it off youse amt de job little
bit retorted Blink, although he knew that the
demand for papers was decreasing. He glanced
ut Shelters big arnfu and then at his own slim
pile and softened bit. "Gwan now, make a
hurry" he added iii give youse de foist
chance
A customer whistled and Skeeter ran OF. Blink
jngled the coins in his pocket ''Ill help de poor
kid if he don't sell enough" he told himself
sold free" came Skeeters shrin voice from
the corner
Blink beckoned to him with wildly waving
arms. "Hey, youse, pipe yer lights over dereT' he
shouted, pointing the street. "G'wan,
beat it."
Dodging in and out among the wagons and
riages Skeeter started across the street on a
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
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 extri-
cate both Skeeter and of the of the
team. Skeeter revived quickly, but the
severely injured, and while he and Skeeter lay
waiting for the ambulance he held brief hur-
ried talk with his partner.
Remember, Jim he said in low tone. audi
bic 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 t?"
The nodded.
sThen get 'em up to the Regent as soon as you
the mark but be suren tell him they're for the
second performance tonight"
Blink had Skeeter home by o'clock. vi
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 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, Blink"
"Afn't no good returned Blink, shifting awk-
wardly.
"Ain't?" repeated Skeeter. his head thrust up
in emphasis Oats all you knows. Why, deres
poin' to be two performances tonight"
Blink's eyes opened wide in surprise 1.-TWO"
no exclaimed ''NNho said 500"
..De man what went to de hospital wit me-"
said Skeeter. and he told of the conversation.
..HuIIy Jim =" exclaimed Blink excitedly. 'Dere
must be some class to dat show.
az rink so,' Skeeter agreed. can say, Blink.
Won 60 an tomorrer youse kin tell me all
about it,
Rlink slapped his knee and jumped from his
chair al never fought of dat he said. IN
do it." So