The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1929-11-22
(Continued.)


Mishka stepped back and pulled his poured
down. the Mshka stood there like bggar near the
holding his old torn cap in his hand The
the vd flare
Mshka drew it out from the darkness
pity uncle, in the of Christi Mhka cried
The engineer said nothing.
Mishka stood there
The rain poured blew, they kept hanmerng
at Wheels Msha there with uncovered head shrinking
against footboard the engine trembling with cold and despair
Again engineer appeared with his farng TORCH and this time
Mishka seized him by the hand.
"Unce I'll die if you leave me here"
Mbk did NOT know who he was himself any longer famine
bov from the for Tashkn to get
had deserted him. No would let him on the
take him along? He could pay little
if necessary--he had knife and thousand rubles.
engineer "The conductor will be along in
a moment, ask him."
peraey, the omented voice of his pain and despair:
in Chriss take me along! III die here
The engineer said nothing.
long around the wheels and hammer
ing, and then he went off to the station
poured the wind blew, and Mishka stood there
the Wheel in torment of and fear Suddenly
asking he climbed into the engine He warmed
his back little by the engine chimney and then he warmed his
Then when his chest little warmer he turned his back
again
Toward morning the rain ceased.
Everything silent and misty and dead
In the pale light visible and the Kirghz
tents behind the station
The engineer along.
Mishka blue face and Mshka's tOrmened filled
with pain. In voice that notangry, he inquired:
$50 you're coming along with us comrade?'
piteously
Don't chase out little uncle I've been freezing with cold
all night long -
you boy? You'll under wherever
Things easier when people together courage
Mishka told he from and where he going
Then he began to brag little If he could only get Tahken
had relatives there Twice thew had written to Msbka mother and
begger her send him. They wroe he likes it with U.S. he can
stay good like will send him back
a ticket
engineer listened smiled glanced Mshka blue lips
and suddenly said
Come along with me-"
first Mishka did believe When he found himself by the
engine fire and all about him familiar levers wheels knots bolts
keys handles and the fiery throat of the engine with its aping
flames fantastic thought began to circle through his starving head
what sort of place had he fallen into?
The engineer pulled of the above the roof
under first slowly cautiously then broke loose and dashed
along such speed that Mshka heart stood still and his thoughts
began his head What this that bore
them along of contrivng?
upgrades toied along slowly then would dash
off full speed The his black shirt leaned out
of the window and smoked his pipe Another kept throwing
wood down the engines fiery throat and suddenly he picked up Mshka
comrade Kondrayev shall throw him in instead of wood?
an with him. laughed Kondratyev. That will make hoter"
Mshka observed these closely he that they
CINE made his heart feel lighter And when Comrade Kondraev
turned little opcoc and filled his kettle with boiling water drank
warmed by this friendliness, said:
"Its a long time fnce had hot water to drink"
And then Kondratyev broke off piece of bread
No it wasn't the bread that did it.
didn't begin satisfy his The bit
happy but
He sat ON the warm stove Completely at home kept falling into
seepy fondd his knife his pocket thought peacefully
happily
"What good people!"
AS they approached large station Kondratyev said:
Now you'll have get off, Mchaa the engine going
tricks then We'll ahead Tashkent
further now"
Mshka hung his head.
what afraid off"
"Peope different! awayn
Kondratyev patted him on the shoulder.
Donvbe afraid, Michaia You're coming with don't
too far from the station When the yard
whistle twice and then hurry back here. you
wait for :"
Thanks, little uncle I'll do as you say"
"Al right" ....t
And meantime I'll take look
bump into of muiks. Do you cigaees?"
"Why?" ak.a$
maybe could buy you a couple the market"
.kondratyev laughed.
If you buy me cigarettes won't take
When they arrived at the station Mshka
friendly glance and jumped off the
a took off his bark sandals unwound the linen
the torn sandals and tying the stockings together strips, flung
them his shoulder
his the back of his
Ito be continued)
Party to mobilize the workers for the