The patriot. (Glenmora, La.) 1918-1955, 1918-12-13

IGT iii the little fellow turned
from a sgnboard at the
edge of the alley.
what youse whimpern' about,
y'mutt?' he asked. Then Skeeter
fingered his newspapers, he added,
stuck"
81 are" replied Skeeter sadly lean -
ing against the corner of the building, "a
2ne foot resting on top of the other. 81
AN look dere"
Blink cooked his left eye in the di-
rection of Skeeter's nod and with an
exclamation of boysh delight beheld
the dramatic scenes portrayed in bril-
liant coIors
Blink was nicknamed for that detection of his
left eve and readily recognizing that short,
complicated names 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 Weck?"
After q few minutes of hard mental labor
Blink spelled out the wording. Great Mike" he
exclaimed. "Why didn't l 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 loft fer 10
cents"
Again Skeeter's face was overspread with sad
ness. 81 only got 'nough to buy mudder's 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 a little
Bit retorted Blink, although he knew that the
demand for papers decreasing. He glanced
at Shelters big armful and then at his own slim
pile, and softened bit. "G'wan now, make a
hurry" he added "Tll give youse de foist
chance"
customer whistled and Skeeter off, Blink
jingled the coins in his pocket. I'm help de poor
kid If he don't sell enough" he told himself,
"Sold tree" came Skeeter's shrll voice from
the
Blink beckoned to him with wildly waving
arms. "Hey, youse, pipe yer lights over dere" he
shouted pointing across the street. "G'wan,
beat it."
Dodging in and out among the wagons and car
riages Skeeter started across the street a
run The street was crowded with traffic at that
point, there a great confusion of noises, and
the little fellow did not hear the warning shouts
that preceded q 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 bystaDders helped him extri-
cate both Skeeter and one of the 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, Jim," he said in q low tone, audi
BILE enough to Skeeter "them two tanks what's
marked is them what has the gasolene forced in
'em; other two's plain The teams all right,
amt it?"
The man nodded.
'Then get 'em up to the Regent as soon as you
can" the injured man continued "Bill knows
the mark, but be sure'n tell him they're for the
second performance tonight.
Blink had Skeeter home by seven o'clock. vi
sions of the preparations which their mother
and Skeeter and he had made for their Christmas
feast had strengthened his pleadngs with the
hospital doctors They found badly sprained
ankle and few bruises.
Pink had cast aside all thought of the theater
oftar the accident, but when his mother and he
had made Skeeter comfortable in bed, Skeeter
said. saint youse goin', BinkY'
aAin,t no good" returned Blink shifting awk-
wardly.
In emphasis. "Dat's all you knows Why deres
roin, TO be two performances tonight"
Rlink's eyes opened wide in surprise. "Two!"
no exclaimed "Who said 500"
.ne man what went to de hospital wit me-
,o,d Skeeter. and he told of the conversation.
"Hully Jim" exclaimed Blink excitedly "Dere
,rs+ he some class to dat show.
az fink So" Skeeter agreed. An say, Blink,
vou 90. an tomorrer youse kin tell me all
pink slapped his knee and jumped from his
.,a.. ST never fought of dat" he said. "FH
do it," -, strotcbad from