Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-12-20

HGNn the little fellow turned
from a signbOard at the
edge Of the alley.
"What yOuse whimperin' abont
y'mutt?" he asked. Then as Skeeter
fingered his newspapers. he added,
"StuckY
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 Skeeter's nod, and with an
exclamation of boyish delight beheld
the dramatic scenes portrayed In bril-
liant col0ra
Blink was nicknamed for that detection Of his
left eye, 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 a fatherless family.
"Why Didn't ! See Dat Last Week7"
After a few minutes Of hard mental labor
Blink spelled out the wording. "Great Mixer 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. II only got 'nough to buy mudders Christ
mas present, an six cents over" replied the boy.
AN people amt buyn' no more"
"Aw choke it OF; 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 bit. "G'wan now. make a
hurry" he added. I'm give youse de foist
chance"
A customer whistled- and Skeeter ran OF. Blink
jingled the coins in his pocket "Tll help de poor
kid II he don't sell enough" he told himAelf,
sold tree" came Skeeters shrill 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. "G'wan.
beat It."
Dodging in and out among the wagons and car
riages, Skeeter started across the street on
run. The street was crowded with traffic at that
point there was 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 1t 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 one of the men of the
team Skeeter revived quickly. but the man
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 a 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
siony Of the preparations which their mother
and Skeeter and he had made for their Christmas
feast had strengthened his pleadipgs with the
hospital doctors. They found a badly sprained
ankle and a 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"
"Aint no good" returned Blink shifting awk.
wardly.
"AintY" repeated Skeeter his head thrust up
IN emphasis. Oats al you knows. Why deres
COIN to be two performances tonight"
Blink's eyes opened wide In surprise. "Tw0w
he exclaimed. "Who said sOf"
"De man what went to de hospital wit me-"
said Skeeter and he told of the conversation
"HuNy Jim" exclaimed Blink excitedly. "Dere
must be some class to dat show"
81 fink So" Skeeter agreed. "An' say, Blink.
you 60, an tomorrer yOuse kin tell me all
about it."
Blink slapped his knee and jumped from his
chair. II never fought Of dat" he said. TN
do It,"
,oro uro NJ eaper newsboys stretched from