The northwestern bulletin., 1923-11-10
THE RUNT
(Lincoln Service)


his clear, friendly eye flashed every
thing but envy. We were boys to-
gether, and thirty years had gone
since we met. The berths were made
down and the Runt stopped q while
in the smoker to talk old times with
me.
No, he hadn't "hit." He repeated
it, but he had kept line on the
boys, he said, as his face lighted up,
and he was proud that many Of them
had done things in the world of en-
deavor. When Skinny Jackson wrote
his musical comedy, he laid over in
New York and bought a seat In the
front row to witness Skinny's tri-
umph. And he reviewed the careers
of Piggie Jones. Swagger Petworth,
Millie Mays and Sallie Watson, who
were genuine big-wigs on the races
doings.
81 meet them now and them" he
said. ''Some of them are glad to see
me, and some Of them are not; but If
they happen to be on my car, ! al
ways pick the best linen for their
berths and give an extra shine to their
shoes. It's a homely little tribute /
love to pay to days departed. Dog
gle Wilson was on here last week go
ing to some conference. He's big
lawyer now out in Cleveland. He
tossed me two bits when brushed
him OFF. I put it in the has been"
fund, where all Of such tips find their
way. Somehow, / can't spend the
cash of my old friends in the regular
way"
II reckon the facts are against
me-" the Runt continued, Il just
couldn't hit. I've been to the bat
many a time, but I either bunt, foul
or strike out. You know was never
smart in school. 1 had barbershop
down at Ithaca, but the Dagoes open
ed tonsoriai parlor in that town and
got most of the students trade. And
then I started running on the road
and have been here ever since-twen-
ty-eight years. Time goes on whether
you do or not"
The passengers had gone to bed
and after taking several heavy drafts
on my pipe l remembered Mary Mas
terson, with whom the "Runt" used
to attend parties and two-step in the
old days. Mary was brown with
beautiful hair and skin like polished
bronze. At school she insisted upon
writing her name Marie"
"Runt," said. thoughtfully,
what became of Nary"
MARY Masterson that used to be.
Oh, she's at home. We live at SYRIA
cuse, you know. Got a comfortable
place out on Onondaga Lake. II it
wasn't so late when we get to Syra-
cuse she'd be down to the train. /
felt like a criminal when I asked her
to marry me, but couldn't let you
fellows take Mary like you had taken
everything else in my life. She's had
faith in me all along and that's the
reason regret that have never hit
It's tough for girl like Mary to be
tied up to a Pullman porter, when
she might have had a live one-a
lawyer or doctor or something.
Game near losing her when Jim,
our oldest boy, died. Promising
youngster-graduated from Cornell
killed in France Armistice day. His
mother put her hopes in Jim and she
moped around for a long while when
he died. But she's taken on new life
now-fnding something to interest
her. The next boy, Frank, graduates
in law at Harvard in June, and my
baby girl. Nellie. goes to Wilberforce
this year. Thought wanted one of
my children to attend colored
school to get a broader view of life.
''Yes. Mary's well. She Is going
out to Wilberforce so she can be near
the kid and look after her while she
is in school. She said maybe she'd
take a whack at that Domestic Science
stuff out there, since she'd be doing
nothing"
Humph! Jim from Cornell; Frank
in Harvard; Nellie at Wilberforce!
"I'll miss Mary right smart, too"
the Runt resumed. "She Is a great
cook, I'll tell you, and when I get
home off the road we have some great
times. Then. she always collected
the rents. Now I'll have to turn this
over to a real estate Arm"
''What rents?"
"Oh, I thought I told you that
we've got an apartment house in Syr-
acuse. Pretty good place. too. Four
street business stores and-of course,
i haven't hit"
Haven't hit!" couldn't stand
any more of Runt's blues. "Cut that
haven't hit stuff! Babe Ruth's a