Bob Chester's Grit; Or, From Ranch to Riches — John Shaqi
Bob Chester's Grit; Or, From Ranch to RichesWebster, Frank V.
General
Bob Chester's Grit; Or, From Ranch to Riches
Webster, Frank V.
Ranch life -- Juvenile fiction
"Got any money?" inquired the policeman, ignoring the boy's manner.
"Surely." And Bob drew forth the precious ten dollars he had managed to
save from the pittance his guardian had paid him and all that remained
from the money the magistrate had given him.
"All right. Come with me. I'll show you," responded the official,
assured by the sight of the money that Bob was not trying to steal a
ride on the train.
Quickly the two made their way to the ticket office.
"Ticket for this youngster," announced the policeman.
"Where to?" asked the agent.
"Chicago, in a chair car," answered Bob.
"'Leven thirty," returned the man in the ticket office, turning to his
rack and taking down a long strip of paper, which he stamped rapidly.
With trembling fingers, Bob counted out the money, and shoved it
through the opening in the window.
"Correct," muttered the agent, as he counted the roll of bills. "Now
hurry, or you won't get your train."
As Bob received the amazingly long ticket, his breast swelled with
pride. Its possession meant the beginning of his long-cherished dream,
and he started to study it, when the voice of the officer warned him:
"Come this way, kid. Go through gate No. 3. You can read your ticket
when you get on the train; you'll have time enough before you reach
Chicago. Good luck on your ranch," he added in a kindly banter.
But Bob had no time to reply, for the trainmen were already shouting
their "All aboard for Chicago," and it was only by running down the
platform that he was able to get on a car just as the wheels began to
move.
The car in which Bob found himself was upholstered in dark green, and
the woodwork was of polished mahogany. Never had he seen anything so
magnificent, and as he sank into a high-back seat, he uttered a sigh of
contentment.
But he was not allowed to enjoy his luxury long.
While he was gazing with wide-staring eyes at everything about him, a
colored porter entered the car and languidly glanced from one to
another of the occupants, as though making a mental calculation of the
tips he would receive, when his eyes fell on the poorly-clad figure of
Bob, holding his box of lunch on his knees.
With an exclamation of surprise, the porter hastened to where the lad
was sitting.
"What you-all doin' in hyar?" he demanded harshly.
The tone in which the question was asked now caused the other
passengers, who had hitherto been too busy getting themselves
comfortably settled to notice Bob, to turn their gaze upon him.
"I'm going to Chicago," returned Bob.
But the hostile look on the porter's face scared him, and he could not
help a tremor that crept into his voice as he made his reply.
"Whar's yer ticket?" snarled the negro.
Reaching into his pocket, Bob drew forth the long strip of paper and
presented it to the officious porter.
"The ticket's all right," grunted the man. "Now, whar's youah parlah
cyar ticket?"
"My what?" asked Bob.
"Youah parlah cyar ticket."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account