From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 21: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

18 dat | bought them vrom a man vot I nefer saw before.” “Then it was not a lady who left them,” said the country girl, quickly. “I tells nottings more,’ repeated the man. Marion left the shop, being unable to elicit further information. She was satisfied now that Mr. Lawson was in the city Bert who had pawned them? It lay between them. “T am sure it was Lawson,” firmly : of Bert. big city.” She hailed a car and was soon riding down the Bowery just as the officer had told her, but she was so upset over her discovery that she hardly glanced out of the window. Twice the conductor had to ask her for her fare, and when the stylish, handsome girl asked him how much the ride would cost he stared at her in earnest, and so did the passengers. . But Marion was learning very rapidly, now. Excitement was clearing her brain and sharpening her wits. It would not be very long before she would rid herself of her timidity at the great city’s bewilderments. When she reached the lodging-house she found a pleasant faced man at the desk, who spoke to her kindly when she stated her errand. | “There’s been a boy here for two weeks by the name of Bert Jackson,” he said at “but he went away yesterday because He’ll show up again, she whispered “T will not allow myself to think ill Poor boy, I pity him, alone in this once, he had no money. I presume, so you can leave a noteefor him _ if you wish.” “Poor Bert!’ cried Marion impulsively, “but what will he do without any money?” “You can trust that kid for getting along,” said the gentleman laughing. “He's the oldest sixteen year old I ever saw. Why he’s as bright as a New York boy already, yet he pete me he has always lived in the country.” A half dozen ragged boys came in just then and stood eyeing Marion in great as- tonishment. The young girl soon caught some whispered remarks, which she knew were intended to express admiration. “She’s de swellest ting wots come down -at that moment he caught sight of Marion. MY QUEEN. de pike! Bert Jackson must belong ter de high-mucker-mucks ter have So ar in togs like dose a comin’ ter see him!” “She’s er Jim Dandy fer fair! Oh, why ain't I got one coming wid me? Dat’s my bloomin’ luck!” was the whispered answer. The gentleman at the desk was just hand-~ ing Marion a pencil when a commotion in the street made them both turn and look out of the window. “Tt’s Bert Jackson! De cops got ‘im!’ yelled one of the boys, and in a second the whole group of them were out on the side- walk. } “Oh, it is Bert,’ cried Marion, as she caught sight of her friend, standing up very — straight with a policeman’s hand on his | shoulder. an “He’s got into some scrape. Ill go and see what it’s about,” said the' gentleman, and as he started for the door Marion followed — him promptly. s The sidewalk was fairly blocked with boys | when. they finally got out, and there seemed | to be scores of them coming from all directions. “He knocked a gentleman down,” said the officer, as he recognized the superintendent of the lodging-house. “He wasn’t a gentleman, He was an ab- ductor!” cried Bert Jackson stoutly, and just 7 For a second the stylish garments puz- zled him a little, then he threw up his hat and gave a whoop that made even the officer jump in astonishment. a “She’s here! Dollie is here! I just saw her!” he shouted. “She was with that fel-— low Lawson, and, I. tell you, I hit him a zood one!” , “Which way did they go?” trying to push her way to his side. “T couldn’t see!’’ said Bert bitterly, “for the cops had collared me, but I hit him once, anyway! Some day he’ll get another!” “What does he mean?” asked the super- intendent; who hated to see Bert taken to the — station-house. “Perhaps if you can explain — it the officer will let him go.” “Oh, do let him go, sir,” cried Marion — instantly. ‘‘The poor boy is trying to help | me find my sister Dollie, wh ico abducted comicbooks!com cried Marion,