The Owosso times., 1920-11-19
For a
Dollar Bill
(Copyright.)
By ALEX s. BRIscoE

.'and shot cracker-bowl out of reach
"f the newcomers grimy fingers.
1t was not that he objected to the
soiled garb and unwashed person of
he new customer-railrOad freight
rain crews on their runs were his
'i'incipal patrons-but there was yes
pmething repellent about the thick
''ulk of the man studying the bill of
ARE painted on the wall.
Fried eggs" the man growled in a
'oice that matched his surly coun-
tnnance.
"How?" was the brief query of the
unchrOom man.
Sunny side p-sinkers-coffee."
Out or the corner of his eye he kept
'iary watch on the other patron.
1t had happened in the past that
fersons had eaten his food, then de-
parted hastily into the night, forget
ting the formality of paying.
He summed up his estimate in the
one word-"yegg."
The three railroad men had finished
their meal and were matching coins to
see who should pay. Larkin, the front
brakeman, lost and swOre fluently as
he banged down silver dollar.
That's my last bean until pay day."
he said. "And there's no pickings
these days. Haven't got red in
three nights. Nothing doing since the
yokels quit trying to beat their way
back from the harvest fields with all
their wages. Only hoboes riding now,
and they'll pound ballast before they'll
dig up jtney."
The yegg-for the lunchroom man
had correctly appraised hm-stuffed
his paper napkin in his pocket and
fumbled In pocket. From an old to-
baccO pouch he drew forth dollar
bill and two dimes. The coins he laid
on the counter.
"Cut o. plug" he said.
AS his yellowed teeth, fanglike In
their length, worried generous Sec
tion from the square of black tobacco
the man flashed glance at Larkin.
The look from under his sullen
bTows was that Of vicious dog dis
turbed gnawlng a bone He had over
heard the railroad mans remark about
hObOes.
Frisco Red" hobo, yeggman. hater
OF work for mere wages, and wanted
by the police OF many cities. a. few.
minutes later sat In the shadow of n
water tank, waiting for the two short
blasts OF the locomotives whistle that
would give warning No. Q was about
to pull out.
Across the sky to the west cut the
white lance of the headlight of the
fast mail. for the passing of which the
freight had been laid out on the siding.
There came crunch of gravel, the
waverlng CLEAN Of lantern, and the
yeggman shrank behind the tank. rec
Ognizing the shadow exaggerated bulk
OF Larkin passing.
The fast train roared through and
Red stood erect.
Red darted across the narrow space
and caught the ladder Of box car.
He had no inclination TO take to the
rods. for in q coat pocket, carefully
wrapped in many thicknesses of pa
per, was a bottle Of thick, oily, yel-
lowish liquid-nitroglycerin the
"soup" of the safe-bower.
A few days before In Kansas CITY.
when funds were low and ''Pete." the
lodging-house keeper, had begun TO
look upon him with unkindly eye, he
had received dingy scrawl from his
"sidekick," one Happy Carmody,
reputed among his kind as the most
dependable, nerviest Outside man" in
the profession.
The letter had told of an easy job
in Syracuse.
And so Red, gladdened by the news
had swung a blind at Holiday, Just
outside the city and was on his way
to met his partner.
The long train clattered and pound
ed over the frogs to the main line. and
Red cautiously thrust his head over
the top of the car.
A light flashed in his eyes and
harsh voice greeted him.
On top of the swaying car Larkin
thrust lantern into his face. There
always Is something disconcerting
about light held close to ones eyes.
Red blinked.
Thought so," said the brakeman.
with satisfaction. "Now pony up with
that dollar bill If you want to ride
with me-"
The others face was stolid.
Broke, pal" he said.
Forget the stall !" came the savage
snarl Of Larkin. ~ saw you flash II
In the lunchrOom. Kick in!" His
voice was a menace.
With a quick movement Red reached
.rhe brake-wheel, strategic position,
as It would AFFORD hand-hold in case
Of fight on the narrow roof.
Nothing doingl" he said fatty.
Larkin ragged, but forebore to at
tack.
For a moment he studied the face
of the other, balancing himself easily.
his body swaying with the movement
Of the car; but there was no sign of
yielding In Reds face.
Tough customer. are your" he
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