The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1935-12-26
II has about everything q fellow
needs there, and the best grid team

II has about everything q fellow
needs there, and the best grid team
In the county. Gee, Tim you ought
to see them huskies 60 after that
ball and smash the line-aEd the
crowd roaring like mad, roofing for
their teams" The eager look faded
he rose abruptly.
"Guess I'll be turning in. See you
later"
"Sure, lad" Tim ignored the break
in the conversation. Better bank
them pine boughs under that shed
over there. This drizzle will likely
be snow by mornin'." I've an errand
of me own to do, but I'll be back
in no time. Git yer rest whilst ye
kim"
An hour later the boy was awak-
ened by hand on his shoulder. and
Tins voice calling: wake up,
Jimmy, I wants to talk to ye."
Jimmy sat up, rubbing his eyes.
"Okay, Tim what's on your mind?
Shoot"
Tim fumbled in his pocket and
produced a bit of paper. First, /
want to say: merry Christmas
from Timothy Ryan to Mr.. James
+, Madden of Mobray, Ioway. Here
it is-a ticket to ye're old home
town. An the fast train will pick
We up in exactly forty minutes. We
got to get goin'. lad.
"But Tim," Jimmy blinked the
last bit of sleep from his eyes. He
turned the paper over and over I'M
til he was convinced it was gen.
uine. IL don't understand, Tim.
How did you get this and where?
'Tim laughed merrily. zone at a
time, lad. First: I got it over yon
at the little railway station where
they sell tickets. Second, I paid fer
it with money, earned money laid
by when work was good"
"That's fine of you Tim, but /
can't take your money. You need
1t for yourself"
"Sure We kin, Lad, an there's
enough left fer mean yer well
come to it. Ye see, Jimmy / sort
of TUX to We the day We walked inter
the loggin camp jest as they were
closin' down fer the winter an we
TUX the trail togither. An when
We talked of Christmas, an SIGH, ye
set me thinkin'. The gift Is not
fer you alone, but fer yer folks who
misses We more than We know. Old
Tins made many mistake, says
to myself, but this faint one, an
mebbe 1t will help square some OF
the Others" .-.-
He laid q gnarled hand on the boys
shoulder. "There's only one thing
I'm askin', lad, an that Is: ven
stay Off the road. It's not fer the
likes of ye. Go home an finish yer
schoolin'." 8. 49, ~. - So. r. ~
"You're right, Tim" Jimmy re-
piled soberly. i've come to realize
that. You've helped me to see things
differently, Tim. I've got a dandy
idea" His face glowed with eager
ness. "Go home with me. Nom and
dad would make you welcome; and
you say you have money" But the
old man shook his head. mo, no
lad, I bin on the road too long. /
know yer folks wud be grand to
me; much obleeged to We fer think
in of it'll be gettin' along where
theirs housin' quarters, an mebbe
bit of work." -~.- 8.
80
The eastbound train came to a
stop. AS the slender youth was
climbing aboard, with last hand
clasp, old Tim pressed a crumpled
bill into his hand. aye must eat,
lad, an don't lose yer ticket. Don't
fergit ye're ridin' like gintleman."
The old man laughed, but there was
an undertone of usefulness.
Jimmy took the money. Il hadn't
thought of eating, Tim. 1t is just
that I'm going home. Home, Tim.
a,lhllIr> b, ,rvwxtHhy,Uyyyyy5 -