Part 19 (1/2)

”I'm going to stand by this door,” answered the little boy, ”and maybe a railroad man will see me and put me off. That's what I want to do--I want to get off this train!”

”Yes,” said Nutty, in a kind voice, ”I suppose that is what you want to do--get off. And you ought to be sent back to your mother. I wish I could help you. But I'm afraid.”

”What you 'fraid of?” asked Sue, petting Toddle.

”Well, I'm afraid of what the railroad men, and maybe a policeman, might do to me if they found me in here with you two children,” went on the tramp. ”They'd think I was trying to kidnap you, and they might send me to jail.”

”We could tell them you were good to us,” said Bunny. ”And that you gave us nuts and water to eat.”

”And I'd tell the men about how you took care of the p.u.s.s.y,” said Sue.

”Yes, I know you would be kind,” the old man remarked. ”But, for all that, the railroad men might think I was a bad man and arrest me. You'd better come away from that door, Bunny. You might fall out. And besides, I'd rather a railroad man wouldn't see you--just yet.”

”But can't we ever go back to our mother and daddy?” asked Bunny, as he walked over and sat down beside his sister and Nutty.

”Oh, yes, I'm just trying to think of a way to help you,” the old tramp answered. ”Let me think a minute.”

Bunny and Sue had often heard their mother say this, and they knew she wanted to be quiet and not have them talk when she was trying to make up her mind about something they had asked her. Thinking Nutty would want the same silence, Bunny and Sue talked only in whispers while Nutty was ”thinking.”

At last Nutty said:

”I think I have it now. This train ought to stop pretty soon at a water tank to give the engine a drink. When it does then you children can get off.”

”That'll be nice!” exclaimed Sue.

”Will our mother be there?” Bunny wanted to know.

”Well, yes, maybe,” answered Nutty, though, really, he did not think so.

Still it might be that Mrs. Brown had seen the children climb into the freight car, and she may have had a glimpse of the engine backing down, coupling to the string of cars and starting off with them.

From the station agent Mrs. Brown could find out where the freight train would first stop, and, by taking a fast express train, she could arrive ahead of the freight. So it was possible for her to be waiting to greet Bunny and Sue when they got off the freight. But, for all that, Nutty did not believe this. He just said it to make Bunny and Sue feel better.

And while this was not just right and honest, Nutty, who was only a poor tramp, probably did not know any better.

”I wish the train would stop pretty soon,” sighed Sue. ”I'm getting tired and I want my mother. But you have been good,” she quickly said.

”And I like Toddle.”

”And the nuts were dandy!” exclaimed Bunny.

”I'm glad I had plenty,” said the old man. ”Now,” he went on, ”you children sit here quietly with Toddle, and I'll go to that door and look out. When I see a place where I think the train's going to stop I'll call you. But don't come until I do, and keep well back away from the crack in the door, so no train men will see you.”

Bunny and Sue did not want to get their friend in trouble, so moved back into the corner, taking the kitten with them. The little animal seemed to like Sue very much, and purred contentedly in her lap.

Nutty arose and walked over to the partly opened door of the freight car. Bunny and Sue, seated in a distant corner, could not see the tramp very well, but, if they could have watched him they would have seen Nutty opening the door wider, inch by inch.

It had slid shut, as I have told you, when the engine suddenly pulled the freight car along, and though a small crack remained open Bunny was not strong enough to slide the door all the way back and make the opening wider. But Nutty, being stronger, had no trouble in making the door slide.