The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-01-26

train, I'm going to fell.you something
about yourself. In your pocket you
have Il telegram; it is from Chicago.
where your pay-check originates; 1t is
short, sweet and comprehensive, con,
tanning an order which you are going
to obey. 1t reads somewhat as fol-
lows:
"My friend, John S. Webster, wires
me from Blank that lie boarded train
mt Blank and was refused tirst-class
Accommodation because he looked like
a hobo. Give him the best you. have in
stock, if you have to throw somebody
off the train to accommodate him.
Signed, Sweeney
do 1 hit the target?"
The conductor nodded. "You win,
Mr.. Webster" he admitted.
occasionally I lose, old timer.
Well?"
no offense, AFR. Webster, no offense.
I can let you have 4 stateroom--"
"Tl:at's trading talk I'll take It,"
The conductor gave him his receipt
and led him back to, the staterOOm in
the observation Car. At the door Web
ster handed him tiye-lollar bill. "For
you, son." he said gently, "just to take
the sting out Of what I'm about to tell
you. Now that possess your receipt
and know that ten men and a boy can
not take it away from me, I'm going to
tell you who Sweeney is"
"WhO is hep" tire conductor queried.
Already lie suspected he had been out
generated
Sweeney" said Mr.. Webster, "is the
chief clerk in one of Chicago:s most
prete1tiOus hotels and a young man
who can find all the tangles Of a sit
uationHwithout working it out in loga
ritlms. 1 wired him 3he details Of my
predicament; he heard the Macedonian
cry and kicked n.ssNeat is it not?"
The conductor grinned. II hate to
take your money! he declared.
Don't. just at present I'm very
flush! Yes, sir, I'm as prosperous as Il
yearling burro up TO hls ears ID alfalfa
and the only use Thar ever found for
money is to make otA er people happy
|, with it, thereby getting some enjoy
ment out Of it myself! Nhen I'm broke
I'll make some m0re!,,'l#, ~ =, -.
And Mr.. Webster retired to his hard
won sanctuary, where lie removed as
much alkali and perspiration as he
could, carded his long hair aid :whisk-
ers, manicured his finger nails with; a
, jack-knife, changed his shirt, provided
five minutes Of; industry for George,
with Lis wfiskbroom and brush, and
set himself patiently tp await tie first
call to dinner. 80 "
Presently 4 pink jowled; well
curried, tlashily dressed big man, of
about Webster's age, passed in the cor
ridor, going toward the head Of the
train. An instant later wo1nn's
voice said very distinctly:
Il do not know you, sir; do not
wish to know YOU, and it is lOathsome
of you to persist in addressing me. If
you do not stop your annoying atte1-
lions. l shall call the conductor"
/ "Ah! Beauty in DISTRESS" John
Stuart Webster soliloquized. Il look
So much like IN Angorl goat might
as well butt in" He stepped to the
door OF his stateroom1 A, girl stood IN
tire vestibule, confronting the man who
had just passed Webster's door. Web
ster bowed.
MADAME, or mademoiselle, as the
case may be-" he said, unlike this
other male biped, my sole purpose il
presuming to address you is to suggest
that there is not the sllghtest necessity
for taking this matter up with the con-
ductOr. I am here and very much ut
your service"
The girl turned--;nd John Stuart
Webster's l:eart Hoped twice in rapid
succession, like trout newly grasSed.
She was as lovely as q royal flush.
Her starry glance began ut his miners
boots. Travelled up his old soiled, whip
cord trousers, over his light blue cham
bray shirt and found the man behind
the whiskers. She favored him with n
quick, curious scrutiny and grave,
sweet smile. "Tl:ank YOU so much. sir"
she answered, and passed down the
corridor to the observation car.
"Well, old-timer," Webster greeted
the fellow who had been annoying her,
chow. about you? What do you think
we. ought to do about this little af-
fair?' - r.
.-""The sensible thing would be to do
nothing. You might start something
you couldn't finish" e.
THAT'S u dare" Webster declared
brightly, "and wasn't it the immortal
Huckleberry Finn who remarked that
anybody that'd take dare would suck
eggs and steal sheep?" He. was silent
few seconds, applaislng his nan.s II
suppose you commenced operations BY
moving into her section and asking if
she would like to have the window
open and enjoy the fresf, air. She re-
buffed you, but being Il persistent
devil, you followed her into the OBJ
servation Car, and in all probability
you Ogled her at luncheon and ruined
her appetite. AID just now, when you
met her in this yestibule, you doubt
less jostled her. begged her pardon
and without waiting to be introduced