The Coolidge examiner., 1934-12-07

let starr FomU8NN N9ou AA pUt
my sweater on one Of those little
girls"
This worked for a time. and the
smallest children. not realizing
their plight. laughed with delight
NJ the games Nancy invented. The
older ones. however. grew notice
ably quiet as time passed. trying 10
peer out Of the snow covered win
dows. aud speaking together In low
voices.
AZ last Jack and Tom Osgood
started some wrestling matches at
the rear of the bus; while the old
er girls reused themselves In ar
effort TO keep the others occupied.
They danced. Jumped up and down.
and did gymnastics; but despite
this exercise they were growing
colder every minute. and when dur
INK some roughhouse, a small boys
elbow went through pane OF glass.
q cry OF dlsmny arose from one
and all
II was then that Tom OsE0od
had an inspiration. Stored under
the back seat and carried for just
such emergencies. were canned
food and a small. portable stove.
"Tll say we were pretty dumb not
10 think of 'em before" he OBJ
served disgustedly. "but we've
never had a chance to use EN-. and
guess every one forgot" lie had
been rummaglng about on his
hands and knees. and now stood
up. a bewlldered expression on his
manly little face. "Why they're
not here Not anywhere! We've
always carried EN-. and extra
blankets. too. say bet I know
what happened Joe took 'em
out when he cleaned the bus
this morning. and forgot to put 'em
back when be had that pain. He
always sets 'em In the harness
closet out o. the dust: and maybe
Glen s'posed they was right here.
or p'raps be didn't know they'd
ought 10 be here. Geei I'm hun
gry. and some o. that canned soup
would have tasted good"
Don't cry. kiddle." said Jack. as
a small Eln burst Into frightened
tears I'm going to make a stove
out Of this milk can. Wen soon
be opening windows 70 cool or
Nance forced a smile at her
brothers attempt az cheer. and lift
Ing the crying child onto her lap
wrapped her coat about the small.
cold legs The bus was shaking
with each gust OF wind. and though
every window was thick with frost
she knew the storm had increased
In fury.
Where that empty milk can came
from they never knew: but for
while II created not only diversion
but feeble warmth that was dear
~ welcome with the aid OF a pock
ct knife Jack ripped the leather
covering from the seats. and used
excelsior stuning for a Gre. School
books came next. but not until dark.
ness descended and all hope OF see
Ing the missing driver was given up.
I'D so for help" Jack told his
sister. grimly. but even II the road
weren't drlf,ed. I'd never make Il
with night coming on. We've been
here about four hours. haven't wei
II seems IA lifetime already, and
these youngsters have been here a
good while longer. II things aren't
better In the morning I'll have 20
80, Nance. Have you noticed" (he
lowered his voice.. those twins are
getting drowsy. both OF EN-: and
SOS Paul Evans ] can't tell wheth.
er they're just sleepy. or-or-Look
here. Sis It's up 10 US to keep them
moving !"
Darkness came fast: but slowly.
terribly slowly. II seemed 10 Nance
hour after hopeless hour dragged on.
Though all worked desperately TO
keep the fire burning. a sudden. es
pecially fierce gust had blown II
out: and there were no more
matches. Jack had long since relin.
qulshed his sheep-lIned jacket: and
Nance's knitted skirt was pinned Sc
curely about a shIvering boy.
Pretense at games-prancing up
and down the aisle-anything TO
keep blood circulating in those
small. cold bodies. was kept up val
iantly: but as night descended the
children who were not crying had
dropped asleep. huddled together In
corner, and tears OF fright and
pity dimmed Nancy's eyes as she
looked down at them.
Through that interminable night
a grim and silent Jack kept moving
constantly. stopping at every turn
10 rub the legs or arms OF some
small sleeper. Nancy. exhausted.
sat for a time. holding within her
coat a boy OF seven who whimpered
with the cold. Later. when a sem
blance OF warmth returned to him
he dropped asleep. she too arose to
move about the crowded quarters,
and Ike her brother chafe numb
hands and feet.
Dawn came at last, and the storm