The Argosy, Vol. XI, No. 22 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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394 tinued, in wonder, as if still endeavoring to elucidate his de- ceptive undoing. ‘*No,” responded Dash; ‘* but there was one found dead alongside the track, and I found him. It was your partner.” ‘‘Great smoke! Yer don't say Biffy is dead!" with a touch of emotion. ‘“ Yes; and he had only himself to blame for it. killed himself with drink.” ‘IT tole him to let ther stuff alone or ‘twould knock him out. So Biff is gone! He was a tougher, but a good hearted feller ; but if it hadn’t bin for him I wouldn't be in no sech fix as this.” ‘What would you do if I didn't prosecute you for rob- bery, and gave you a chance to make an honest, decent man of yourself?” asked Dash, who could see that the man was not wholly bad and beyond reclaim. ‘Td try ter do ther right thing. young feller; I'd throw up the road for quits, But yer don't mean it, do yer?” ‘Yes, Ido; and here's something to help you along till you get work,” replied Dash, as he returned five dollars of the money he had just recovered from the tramp. The fellow’s eyes opened wide, and he gazed at Dash as if he doubted the evidence of his senses. “ Yer too good, young feller, ter sich as me; but I'll do it, an’ be a man. No more trampin’ fer me,” said the man, with intense feeling, as he grasped the boy's hand. Dash felt that the fellow was sincere in all he promised, and would make a temporary effort to reform at least. But he learned some time afterward that his leniency had a lasting effect for good, and that permanent improvement followed from that day. From a worthless wanderer, living by begging and stealing from his fellow men, the man be- came a thrifty farmer ina far Western State. Dash returned to his seat in one of the rear coaches, well pleased that he had recovered his watch and a portion of his money. And we are sure he felt far more satisfaction from having given the tramp a ‘‘ chance,” than if he had in- flicted upon him the full penalty of the law. The fact was, he did not wish to stop off to prosecute the robber, though he would not have done so had not the latter shown a genu- ine desire to do better. After an all day ride, Dash became exceedingly wearied, evea though the coach was most luxuriously upholstered. He felt that, in view of nis preceding night's experience, and the good luck that had followed bim since then, he would be justified in indulging in the extravagance of a berth in the sleeper for the second night. Before bedtime, however, they arrived at Pittsburg, and Dash presented Mr. Barsteel's letter at the ticket office, re- ceiving a pass to St. Louis. Here, too, he found his satchel in the station master's office, where conductor Cartsover had left them, as he had promised Freeman. For some time after leaving Pittsburg the white jacketed porter was kept busy making up his berths, and as he hada full car, both upper and lower ones had to be prepared. There were quite a number of women and children in the car, and as these were attended to first it was late before Dash’s berth was ready for him. For some minutes before the porter called him, he had been gazing intently out of the smoking room window into the thick darkness, watching a red glow reflected against the sky some distance ahead and tothe right. It was soon evident to him that they were rapidly nearing the cause of the light, for it became brighter and seemed to cover the whole heavens in that direction. All thought of sleep was now forgotten tn his curiosity to learn the cause of the glare. If it wasa fire, it must bea He THE ARGOSY large one, lie told himself. They were soon rattling through the suburbs of a large Ohio town, at which the train was not scheduled to stop. But as they approached the station, near which the fire appeared to be, the train came gradually to a standstill. Dash promptly stepped out on the platform, and thence to the ground, going over to the other side of the station to get a full view of the conflayration. A towering seven story building, just opposite the square back of the station, was almost entirely enveloped in flames. A bystander imparted the information that it was a hotel. The burning of a large building has at all times an ele- ment of excitement in it, even when human lives are not en- dangered, but as Dash looked at the roaring, leaping flames, bursting from windows and roof, he was fairly fascinated with horror at seeing frenzied men and women leaping to certain death on the flinty pavement below, or sinking back with despairing shrieks into the fiery furnace. (Zo be continued.) . e 2-2 ee One 8 A SHOP ON WHEELS.* BY WALTER F. BRUNS. a GEE aes CHAPTER XNXIX. COALS OF FIRE. 7 SAY, there,” shouted Mason, as the boys drew rein, ‘‘ won’t you give us a hand?” And then he recognized them ; and if he was frightened before, he was doubly so now, forin his cow ardly nature he thought the boys would turn a deaf ear. ** Never mind what I done against you,” he pleaded. ‘* Let's forget the past," he added, in a forgiving tone, as though he had anything to forgive. ‘“ Allright,” replied Dick. ‘*‘ We are willing.” * You won't go way an' leave us ?” cried Mason, as the wagon gave another lurch, and the boys made no move. ‘‘ If you do, 1UIl be like murderin' us: I can’t swim a stroke, an’ Andy ain’t no great shakes of a swimmer,” ‘What made you attempt to ford such a looking stream 2?” Mr. Mason hesitated, and then, evidently resolving not to prevari- cate, replied : ‘I'm standin’ on too shaky a thing to lie. We ‘lowed we could make it, an’ if we could we'd be a long ways ahead before you'd dare cross, Come, lend a hand, won't you? Hurry up, or you'll be too late! Don't you see how the current’s gettin’ away with us ?”’ That Mason was becoming more frightened every time the wagon was carried along could be told by his shaky tone. Much as the boys could have enjoyed seeing their self made enemy in such a stale of mind, his position was too dangerous for such amusement, and Dick said hurriedly : ‘‘ We have Mason in a tight place for once. Of course we will help him out, but before he is out of danger he will have to listen to a little reason, and agree to a few things.” ‘Just the ticket,” agreed Chub quickly, catching his meaning. ‘But hurry, Dick. I wouldn't be in his shoes for a good sum.” ‘Tsay, Mason,” Dick called, allowing his voice to range above zero. ‘You wouldn't agree to a fair proposition a few days ago; but you will have to now, before we help you out.” ‘What was that—about selling at every other house ?” inquired Mason. ‘Exactly. You recollect without trouble, I notice. There 1s some- thing else you will have to agree to. When we started on the road, you told a pack of falsehoods about us, and you have got to promise faithfully to retract them all, and to make everything straight, or you never come off the wagon with our help!” ‘‘T hope I may never see the inside of my head if I don't!” de- clared Mason rashly. ‘We want a more faithful promise than that,” cried Dick sharply. ‘© Oh, yes,” shouted Mason, allowing his temper to get the better of his fears. ‘* Why don't you ask me to go to those farmers an’ tell ens *Begun in No, 428 of THE ARGOSY. ecoMmnlieooaks COLL