Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-06-30
TOM MAKES FRIENDS WITH
THE FAMILY.

Chapter 10
They were nice children! Tom
thought as they crowded about
him after their first shyness had
worn eff. Uncommonly nice chill
dren, considering everything. Jen-
ME was pretty too, not SO pretty
as Gertie, but still pretty. Anna
was plain, but her piquant little
face was attractive; while sturdy
Tom intrigued him greatly, es-
pecially after he was told how
anxious he was to help SO Cert
wouldn't have to do it all.
"She's good, Gertie is! She
gives all her money most to ma"
he had confided--after the pres
ent of a pocket knife such as h
never had dreamed existed, a
good substantial knife, such a
one as ranchman would be like
ly to carry.
But it was Mrs. Cummings who
interested him most. Gerties
mother. Her conversation, illit , :
ate though it was, showed her
10 be a woman of character. She
showed. without realizing it, har
anxiety for her children; her de-
sire that they should grow Up
good.
"After Jennie finishes, and Tim
is older. we hope to move to a
better place." she told Tom.
There is bad boys and girls ev-
erywhere, but Pm thinkin' If we
was to be in better place, the
children wouldn't see so much
badness. So far they have been
all right, thank God!"
Tom smiled inwardly. Mrs.
Cummings was evidently a rel
gious sort of person according to
her views.
She was hospitable too. She
made a cup of tea, and gave 1t
to aim, and with it some home
ilade gingerbread not yet cold.
Tom ate and drank with relish.
What If the cup was thick, and
the plate had nick in the edga
That didn't mean anything.
Gertie looked on saying little,
but fascinated, happy. Wasn't he
the real thing. She wished Lilly
was there to see, then was glad
she wasn't. She might say some.
thing about his being her bean
or something to embarrass her.
Tom said nothing until the
alarm clock on the shelf over tie
stove told him it was 3 o'clock,
Then he proposed they start.
"I'm sorry Gertie has to work
on Sundays" Mrs. Cummings
said, "but she does. Be sure you
git her back"
81 will. Mrs. Cummings, and
may come again before I go
home? I shall have to go in a
week or two"
Come as often as you like
Sir" The last slipped out, I'M
conscious tribute.
Gertie hadn't heard her moth
er's reply. For her the light had
gone out. There was mist be-
fore her eyes. She could scarcely
see. Going away. In week or
two-the end!
Courageously she pulled herself
together. 1t was nice to see him
for maybe two weeks longer. She
would be happy. especially today
when he was taking her into the
country again.
Come down to the car with
us, Tim" Tom said when Gertie
was ready, II brought some fruit
for the children" he added tC
Mrs. Cummings His delicate feel.
ing for their poverty had pre-
vented him from carrying it ur
with him.
Delighted, Tim followed them
downstairs. and out to the car
around which had gathered a
crowd of children, among them
Lilly's brother and two little sis
ters. Lilly would hear all about
it nowl Gertie thought gladly.
Here, young mani" Tom pull
led out a big basket of fruit, a
steamer basket, the best he could
find. and the biggest.
Gee whitiker!" Tim said ad-
mfringly. Gosh! That's great
Then at look from Gertie he
remembered his manners and said
THANK you"
do you think you can carry
it upstairs?" Tom asked smiling.
ly. as he helped Gertie into the
ear.
''I'll tell the world I CAMP and
Tim disappeared inside the door
just as they rolled away.
Tom had glanced up ct the
window. and waved his hand e
Mrs. Cummings and the two