The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-12-13
THE cHILoREN's GREETING


why it's Dick" Mrs. Talbot ex-
claimed in amazement as she recog-
nized the figure by the suitcases.
Dick turned and smiled and walked
across TO meet her.
I'm going too" he announced.
Ma said / better go the same time
you were. so you wouldn'. feel so
nervous travelling alone"
"You're going to the city," She did
Fot seem to understand.
Dick nodded, looking to see whether
anyone was within hearing. They
were alone, and he added
Il couldn't stay around here If Amy
isn't coming back. ! think she needs
looking after"
The woman's heart warmed to the
boy
That's nice of you, Dick. And I'm
glad to have you along. | am awful
nervous"
Dick saw about her ticket. And
she settled herself In the train with
a feeling of great relief. She hated
the idea of going so far alone; she
had never travelled in her life, except
short distances to nearby towns.
1t was a long trip, with several
changes of cars, and lunch snatched
in junction station. Though in
actual miles they were not so very
far from the city, the trip took the
entire day. But every bit was a
delight to these two inexperienced
travellers Dick had never been to the
city either
But everyone was going and l
couldn't stand it, he said. Dick nad
Il perfect frankness that was a joy
10 his friends. at was bad enough
when Amy was away and l could
count off the weeks until she got
\ back. But when she wrote she just
wasn't coming-welI, if she isn't
coming back to the country, l have
to go to the city, that's all
II was perfectly simple. Dick was
in love. He had no more feeling
about telling it, than he would have
mad about mentioning that he was
thirsty. He would not have talked
Economically about her; that, some
how, was different.
But he was in love-and why not
admit It? Something in his srm
plicity and sincerity forbade smiles
or teasing from the boys and girls
he knew at home. Mrs. Talbot was
very much touched.
You know I'm on your side, don't
your" she said.
Dick nodded, grinning a little,
and suddenly shy. And the woman
felt that she had one warm friend,
at least, in this adventurous journey
10 the city
Eventually. carrying their heavy
suitcases, they emerged with the
crowd upon the great station plat
form-arrived at last, tired and dirty
and hungry, in New York. Mrs
Talbot never dreamed so many PEG
pie could be in one place, as were
crowded into the station. She walked
close to Dick. wondering what she
would ever have done, had she ar
rived alone.
Then out of the sea of strange
faces, each one peering intently for
someone on the train, there came
the welcome sight of Luther. Amy
dropped her suitcase and chung tc
his arm, terrified by al the strange
people a ound her.
You did give us a surprise, moth
er." he said, as he kissed her "DC
you know, you only allowed two days
for your le ter-it came this morn
l. ing. Suppose we had been away
= over the weekend? Hello, here;
Dick"
I'm going to my cousin Jim's.
Dick volunteered. I'm staying the-'
until | get a job. Loo, how do reaci
this place. He held out an address
and Luther gave him directions 70
finding it.
IT'S not so far from our place
so you can come around and Sc,
Amy a lot" Luther said, glinnini
a little at the boy.
That's what I came to New Yorl
tor" Dick said calmly. Guess II
take these things up to Jim's AM
come over tonight"
"Amy's busy tonight. That is, shell
be home late, about L." Luther said
Wen, I'll only stay five minutes
but | want to see her"
There was no putting him of
Luther smiled and gave him still
more directions as TO how to reac
his place. And then he took Mrs
Talbot's arm, and piloted he
through the crowd and through
long journey in noisy car, unit