Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1918-12-20
Couldn't you5t9oh'"

If3X2SzD face to the bundle of pa
INEWYIn pers under the lads arm as
Il1EzllN the little fellow turned
from a slgnboard at the
edge of the alley.
"What youse whimperin ABOUT
y'muttY he asked Then as Skee,er
fingered his newspapers, he added,
"StuckT
"I are" replied Skeeter sadly, lean -
ing against the corner Of the building, ~
one foot resting on top of the other.
"An look dere"
Blink cooked his left eye In the d.
recton of Skeeters nod, and with an
exclamation of boyish delight behed
the dramatic scenes portrayed In bril-
liant colors.
Rink was nlcknamed for that DETECTION Of his
left eve and readily recognizing that short ui'
complicated names were suitable for the needs
of their profession, he had applied "Skeeter 10
his dimlnutiye 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 Nike Ne
exclaimed "Why didn't see dat last weeKf
Then turning to Skeeter, "Say, Skeet, leave us 20
tonight. hey? It's de 'Newsboy Detective It's
at de Regent, an we ken git in de loft fer 10
cents"
Again Shelters face was overspread with sad
ness ~ only got 'nough to buy mudders Christ
mas present an six cents over" replied the boy
AN people amt buyn' no more
SAW. choke It off youse amt on de job little
bitn retorted Blink although he knew that Inc
demand for papers was decreasing He glanced
nj Shelters big armful and then at his own slim
nile. and softened bit. "Gwan now make
hurry" he added. "Fll give youse de 1ost
chance"
customer whlstled and Skeeter ran of. Blink
iInged the coins In his pocket It'll help de poor
kid If he don't sell enough" he told himself
"Sold free" came Skeeters shr 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,"
Dodeipg In and out among the wagons and car
riages, Skeeter started across the street on
,un. The street was crowded with traffic at that
point there was great confusion OF noises, ana
the little fellow did not hear the warning SHOUTS
that preceded heavy dray drawn by two run
away horses Suddenly 1t crashed full into an
empty carriage, and beneath the torn canvas, the
splintered wood and glass and the twisted iron
lay Skeeter, stunned.
"
,be accident. Then bystanders helped him extrl'
cate both Skeeter and one of tie men OF the
team. skeeter revived quickly, but the man was
severely injured and while he and Skeeter lay
waiting for the ambulance he held a brief hur-
ried talk with his partner
Remember, Jm." he said in low tone, audi
h1a enough TO Skeeter "them two tanks what's
marked Is them what has the gasoene forced In
,em: other twos plain. The teams all right,
amt it?"
The man nodded.
.Tben get em up to the Regent as soon as you
can" the injured man continued. "Blll knows
the mark, but be suren tell him they're for the
second performance tonight
pink had Skeeter home by seven o'clock. VI
f.ons of the preparations which their mother
and skeeter and he had made for their Christmas
foast had strengthened his pleadngs with the
hosn,taI doctors They found a badly sprained
ankle and few bruises.
pplx had cast aside all thought of the theater
aster the accident, but when his mother and he
had made Skeeter comfortable In bed, Skeeter
said. saint youse goln' BlinkT
saint no good" returned Blink smitng awk'
wardy. -,
I, amnbasis. ..Dats all you knows. Why, deres
ro,n, 10 be two performances tonight"
BlIpks eyes opened wide in surprise "TwoP
M exclaimed "Who said sog
.De man what went to de hospital wit me-
sa,d Skeeter, and he told OF the conversation.
.r1n,lv Tim y exclaimed Blink excitedly. "Dere
must be some class to dat show 49,
sr +.,nk sor Skeeter agreed. "An' shy, Blink,
-. 81 an, tomorrer youse kin tell me all
about IT" -. -,
IL mink slapped his knee and jumped from his
Il chair. Il never fought Of dat" he said. tn
4 do II" .4....,,s, from,
Ns q lVns hh0 Il TY