Pippin; A Wandering Flame

by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards

  CHAPTER XVI

  PIPPIN ENCOUNTERS THE GIDEONS

  Pippin spent the evening sitting on the edge of his bed, whistling onhis file, as was his custom when perturbed in spirit, and taking counselwith himself. He had had a shock. Two hours ago, after leaving the whitehouse, he felt the need of a pipe; a smoke of tribute, call it, towhatever gods might be interested in youth and beauty, in dimples andwaving hair. Nearly opposite the house, across the lane, was a huge elmwhose branches drooped low over the roadside. Its roots formed acomfortable seat neatly cushioned with moss. Pippin had already observedthis natural retreat; now he sought it, and lighting his pipe, was atpeace with the world.

  Silently he communed with himself about the "young lady." He did notventure to think of her by any other title, though it must be confessedthat he said "Mary" to himself now and then, just to be sure that itsounded like the prettiest name in the world, though of course he alwaysknew it was. And he always knew--now, how did he know it was hername?--that she could have no other. If Pippin had put his thoughts intowords--but he could not! His heart beat quick and hard in his ears, andthere was something the matter with his breathing; and anyway, who washe to set up thinking of her at all? But if he had found words, theymight have shaped themselves thus.

  Honest, now! Had he ever, in all his life, seen a young lady that was apatch on her? Believe him, nix! It wasn't only her looks, though theywas out of sight, clear; it was the way she moved, and spoke--notice howthe corners of her mouth curled up round the words as if she loved'em--And the sound of her voice, and the goodness that shined right outof her--my! my! _that_ lamp is burnin' all right, all right! He paused,for beside the bright face that shone so clear before him, he seemed tosee another, a face no less fair, more perfect indeed in line and tintand carving, but, as he had once said, like a lamp unlighted. "PoorFlora May!" he murmured. "Poor gal! Now wouldn't that young lady be asister to her if she had the chance? You bet she would!"

  Thus musing, he chanced to look up, and was aware of a man coming slowlyalong the road; very slowly, with a singular gait, half limp, halflurch. He was dressed like a day laborer, and carried a dinner pail; apickaxe was slung over his shoulder. It was the gait that caughtPippin's eye; he stopped building air-castles, and looked narrowly atthe advancing figure.

  The man shambled slowly along, and paused near the gate of the whitehouse. Drawing out a clay pipe, he proceeded to light it; a clumsybusiness he made of it, fumbling long for his matches, then makingseveral vain attempts to strike a light, his eyes meantime roaming overhouse and grounds with sharp, searching glances. Pippin, always so readyto help, might easily have given him a light--but a moment before Pippinhad extinguished his own pipe with a swift, silent motion. He satperfectly still under his tree, not to be distinguished from it in thedusk, under the drooping branches, his eyes riveted to the slouchingfigure. So absorbed was he that he saw nothing of the quiet approach ofanother figure, until it stood close beside the first; a lighter,slimmer figure, that of a young man. Pippin could see no more till thenewcomer, turning his profile to the rising moon, displayed a crookednose.

  If the two exchanged words, it was in a whisper so low that Pippin couldnot catch it. The younger man also pulled out a pipe, and seemed to askfor a light; there was more fumbling and scratching, then the eldernodded slightly and went limping and lurching along the road.

  Why did the younger man linger? Why did he, too, slip under a droopingtree--not fifty feet away from Pippin's own, I declare--and stand there,silent and hidden as Pippin himself?

  Why, Pippin, a man may have feelings, even if his nose is crooked. If apretty girl comes out to sit on her steps and look at the rising moonand think sweet, girl-moonlight thoughts, why--be reasonable, Pippin!Why should not Nosey Bashford like to watch her as well as you? Nosey'snose is shockingly crooked, and his eyes are crooked, too, little andred and too near together; he is crooked inside and out, but he has hisfeelings, and it is well for you, Pippin, seeing that you are entirelyunarmed, whereas Nosey is never without a sandbag or a brass knuckle orsome such pretty trifle, that he does not know of your being only fiftyfeet away from him.

  "That's right!" said Pippin, sitting on his bed, as above mentioned,whistling on his file; "that may be all so, and likely 'tis: but thatdon't explain Dod happenin' along just that minute, nor yet them twowith their heads together. Dod has aged some--well, he would! Must besixty year old, or nigh it--but he don't look no handsomer nor no--well,say piouser--than he did. What I say is, I believe them two has a gameon. I hate to keep the Old Man waitin', but I rather guess I'll have tohang round here a spell, and see what they're up to. What say?"

  When in need of sympathy, Pippin was apt to call up his dream family anddemand it of them, never failing of a response. He did so now, and Ma,blue-eyed and pink-cheeked, and Pa, brown and stalwart, appearedpromptly. Pippin, absurd fellow that he was, saw them sitting besidehim, and appealed to Pa to confirm his last remark. Pa said he wasright, things did appear to squint that way a mite. He expected Pippinhad better keep his eye on them two.

  "But I stuck him out!" Pippin slapped his thigh joyously. "I stuck himout, folks! And I would have if he'd have set there all night. Anotherthing!" His voice was grave again. "Notice what happened just before heleft? Why, the Boss--Mr. Aymer, that is--come home. Didn't you hear someone step kind of quick along the sidewalk front of the house, whistlin'a little, but not so as to disturb folks, and then the latchkey rattle amite as he put in? I tell you, 'twasn't all feelin's in Nosey's. Hewanted to know what time the Boss was liable to come home, and he foundout. Oh, they're smart, Bashfords; you got to keep your eye peeled whenyou watch them!"

  Pippin stopped suddenly. Some one seemed to be talking; Ma this time,her blue eyes bright and serious. Had he looked for grace in them two?

  "Green grass!" Pippin laughed aloud. "Grace, in Bashford's gang! Ifthere's as much grace in e'er a one of 'em as would raise a biscuit, onesolitary, little weeny biscuit, I'll--I'll--"

  He stopped again, for again the voice seemed to speak.

  "I didn't know as the Elder made any exception. Fellow creatures, hesaid--"

  Pippin dropped his head. If he had been differently brought up, he mighthave beaten his breast and cried, "_Mea culpa!_" As it was, he said,"Green grass!" again, several times. The last exclamation was in adifferent tone. He raised his head, and his eyes shone.

  "I'll try!" he said. "Honest, I will! Now behooves me get a mite o'sleep. But first--"

  The room was a small and plain one, in a meek by-street which had towork hard to prove that it was not a slum, but did prove it. There werecurtains in most of the windows, faded, patched, darned, but whole andclean (Mrs. Morrissey's were Nottingham lace, the street would have youknow, but then Mr. Morrissey was on the Force), and not a house but hada geranium or a straggle of nasturtiums in window-box or tin can orbroken pitcher.

  Besides all this, not a lodging room in the street but had a Bible; theGideons had seen to that. Pippin took the fat black book from the littlelight-stand beside the bed. He had his own little Testament that ElderHadley had given him, but this was handy by, and besides, he admired toread about them Old Testament guys. Elijah was "some," he thought; asfor Elisha, he had no opinion of him. Gettin' them kids all stove upjust because they was a mite cheeky! Likely he _was_ bald-headed!

  The volume opening at the title page revealed a printed slip pastedinside the cover, on which Pippin read as follows:

  This Holy Book, whose leaves display the Life, the Light, the Truth, the Way, is placed in this room by The Gideons, The Christian Commercial Travelers' Association of America, Aided by The Christian Forces of this City with the hope also that by means of this Book many may be brought to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge.

  The Ancient Gideon's Test and Triumph--Judges 6 and 7. The Modern Gideon's Motto--Judges 7:21. The Greatest Sermon ever preached--Matthew 5, 6, and 7. BLESSED TRUTH--ACCEPT IT--Luke 19:10; John 3:16. The Supr
eme Sacrifice for all--Isaiah 53. The Universal Invitation to all--Isaiah 55. If lonesome or blue and friends untrue, read Psalms 23 and 27, Luke 15. If trade is poor, read Psalm 37, John 15. If discouraged or in trouble, read Psalm 126; John 14. If you are all out of sorts, read Hebrews 12. If you are losing confidence in men, read I Cor. 13. If skeptical, read John 6:40, 7:17; Phil. 2:9-11. If you can't have your own way, read James 3. If tired of sin, read Luke 18:9-14, 35-43, John 9. If very prosperous, read I Cor. 10:12, 15. The WONDERFUL RESULT--Isaiah 35--Psalm 121--Romans 12.

  We earnestly solicit free-will offerings for the aid of our Bible work. Christian Traveling Men, Join Us, Help Us. For particulars, inquire of any man wearing the button, or THE GIDEONS, 22 West Quincy Street, Chicago, Ill.

  "Green grass!" said Pippin. "Now wouldn't that--" He read it again,slowly and carefully. "Now wouldn't that--well, the reverse of give youa pain! Lemme see! What fits me special in this outfit?" His fingerfollowing the table of contents, Pippin knit his brows and set histeeth, murmuring as he went, "'If trade is poor,'--that ain't me! I madethree dollars to-day, and two yesterday. Fifteen a week wouldn't be farfrom it, and five of that in the bank reg'lar every week. I tell you!

  "'If discouraged or in trouble;' nope!

  "'If you are all out of sorts;' not a mite!

  "'If you are losing confidence in man'--There! Isn't that a leadin'? Betyour life!" said Pippin. He turned to the appointed passage and read:

  "'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have notcharity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

  "'And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries,and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could removemountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

  "'And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I givemy body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.'

  "I expect that is so," said Pippin gravely. "I certainly expect thatthat is so, and I will act as near that as is give me, 'cordin' to. SayI learn it off, so I'll have it handy by and not forget it, what say?'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have notcharity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling--'"

  At this point there was a rap on the wall, and an angry voice askedwhether there was a prayer meeting going on, or what? Couldn't a man geta wink of sleep without condemned galoots hollering their prayersthrough a megaphone?

  "I'm real sorry, brother!" said Pippin pacifically. "I didn't know I'driz my voice."

  "Riz your voice! You go hire yourself out as foghorn to a Sound boat,and you'll make your fortune!"

  "You've got a powerful organ of your own," replied Pippin. "If you'dlike to have a prayer meetin', I'd be pleased to have you join in. Areyou a Gideon?"

  "Are you a goat that wants its hide took off?" roared the other. "If youdon't shut your head--"

  "I've shut and padlocked it! I'm just whisperin' through a knothole. Goto by-by, bo! Pleasant dreams!"

  * * * * *

  Pippin's chance came the very next day. As he was carrying Nipper pastthe white house--he was not going in, but somehow his way seemed to liemostly through the lane--the grocery wagon stood at the gate, and evenas he looked, the door opened and shut, rather hastily, and thecrooked-nosed man--his given name was William, by the way--came out withhis empty basket. He greeted Pippin with a scowl that blackened hisnever too attractive face. Pippin gave him a friendly nod.

  "Mornin', Nosey!" he said.

  Nosey's only reply was a snarl that might have meant anything--exceptfriendliness.

  "Say, Nosey, quit the grouch, what? I'm sorry I sp'iled your beak, bo.There! I'd mend it if I knew how, honest I would!"

  Nosey's reply was intelligible this time, but unprintable. It was to thegeneral effect that if Pippin didn't light out pretty condemned quick,he would "get his," whatever that might mean.

  "That so?" said Pippin. "All right, bo! I just wanted to say that Ihadn't no grouch against you. I'm on the straight now, Bill, see? Mebbeyou are, too?"

  "Yes, you are!" with an ugly sneer. "You and your wheel! You look out,that's all I say to you! Gidap!" The last remark was addressed to thehorse, and was accompanied by a savage blow of the whip; the startledanimal sprang forward and the wagon rattled out of sight.

  "Well, I tried!" said Pippin. "Honest, I did!"

  * * * * *

  A day or two after, Mrs. Appleby received a letter that puzzled hersomewhat. It was signed, "Yours in the Lord, Pippin," and was to theeffect that she was please not to be sore because the writer had to holdup that job a mite. He would pull it off quick as he could, but they wassome guys trying to make a deal out of some folks he knew that was dandyfolks, he could tell her, and he felt a call to hang round a spell so ashe would be ready in case an extra hand was needed, for them guys wasmean as they grow, and if that young lady or her boss come to any harm,he'd never get over it, sure thing. But quick as he got this off hischest, he'd make tracks for Shoreham and get that letter, if it took aleg.

  Mrs. Appleby smiled over this effusion, which was carefully written onheavily ruled paper. The handwriting was stiff and official--had notPippin learned to write in the office of the Warden, under the eye ofthat kindly potentate?--the spelling occasionally quaint, but she seemedwell pleased as she laid it away methodically.

  "I am sure that boy is genuine!" she said with a little nod. "I wouldtrust him--what is it, Jane?"

  A pupil-teacher was standing before her, red-cheeked, round-eyed, andout of breath.

  "Jimmy 'as run away again, Mam!"

  "Jimmy! dear! dear! Played hookey from school, you mean?"

  "Yes, Mam! I 'ad 'im be the 'and"--Jane was but one remove fromLondon--"and we was steppin' along quite-like, wen 'e 'eard a horgan,and 'e was horf!"

  "Dear! dear!" said Mrs. Appleby again. "That is the third time; I willnotify the police at once." Stepping to the telephone, she gave noticeof the truant, "Ten years old, small and wiry, red hair and freckles;khaki pants, gray flannel shirt; will probably answer to any name excepthis own, which is James Mather. Do have him found, Mr. Inspector! Heisn't a bad boy, and he is sure to have the nightmare to-night."

  Turning back, she spoke to Mrs. Faulkner who was just entering the room.

  "Jimmy Mather has run away _again_, Mrs. Faulkner! I really don't knowwhat to do with the boy."

  "I should send him to the Farm School!" said Mrs. Faulkner promptly. "Heis a very bad influence here. Last evening, when the cook was going tochurch, he pinned a dishcloth to her cloak, and she never found it outtill she got back. She has given notice. I was just coming to tell you.I think she will stay if the boy is sent away."

  "Little Jim!" cried Mrs. Appleby. "Oh, Mrs. Faulkner! He is too youngfor the Farm School, even if--"

  "Mary is a very valuable woman!" said Mrs. Faulkner severely. "It ismatter of knowledge to me that she has been offered fifteen dollars aweek, and we get her for ten because of her little niece being here.James Mather is worth nothing at all that I can see, and is a nuisancebesides."

  "Oh, Mrs. Faulkner!" said Mrs. Appleby again.

  As she stood perplexed, what was this vision that flashed suddenlybefore her eyes? Two brown, bright eyes in a face that seemed to smileall over, brow to chin; a musical voice saying,

  "There's a kid I like! I could do something with that kid if I had him!"

  "Dear! dear!" said Mrs. Appleby aloud. "I do wish he would!" andhappening to glance out of the window, she saw Pippin entering thecourtyard with Jimmy Mather beside him. Yes, things happen that waysometimes. Mrs. Appleby did not try to analyze her feeling of reliefwhen Mrs. Faulkner was called out of the room just as Pippin entered it.

  "Run straight into me!" said Pippin, when the culprit had been welcomed,rebuked, provisionally pardoned and sent to bed. "Follerin' a Dago withan organ and a monkey. Gee! Run just the way I used to run after amonkey. I knew the pup in a
minute, and I had him by his slack andscruff before he knew what had got him. Green grass! he was surprised,that kid was! Then he bawled, and wanted to go with me, but nix on that,so I said I'd fetch him home, and he come along like pie. But say, lady,you rec'lect what I told you that day?"

  "I was just thinking of it when you came in! Your coming seemedprovidential."

  "Can you show me anything that ain't, in a manner of speakin'? Well, Isay it again. This is a dandy place for some kids, but it's no place forthat one. You want to let me take him--"

  "Where? Where would you take him, Pippin?"

  "To Cyrus Poor Farm!"

  "A poorhouse?" The matron's face fell.

  "It's that, but it's more than that, and it's goin' to be more than whatit is now. Leave me have that boy and a dozen more like him, and gee! Itell you we'll make things hum there to Cyrus! That's the kind I want;smart little kids, the kind that makes the smartest crook. Catch 'emlittle, and make 'em grow straight instead of crooked--what do you knowabout that? Wouldn't that be mince pie atop of roast turkey andcranberry sauce? I tell you!"

  Thus Pippin, glowing with ardor, sure that everyone must see his projectas he saw it; but now the gay fire died out of his face. "I forgot!" hesaid. "I can't take him just yet, lady. I--you got a letter from me?Did? Well, there's where it is, you see! I ain't free to go just yet.This job to Mr. Aymer's--"

  "Mr. _Who_?" Mrs. Appleby started.

  "Mr. Aymer: John E. Lives corner of Smith and Brown Street. Maybe youmight know him, Mis' Appleby? They sure are dandy folks!"

  "I know Mr. Aymer," drily. "How came you to know him, Pippin?"

  "There's a young lady works for him!" Pippin was blushing hotly, but hemet the inquiring look bravely. "Miss Flower, her name is. I happenedalong by--in the way of business, you understand--and she had a carverneeded sharpenin', and so we made acquaintance. She's--well, there!Mebbe you might know her, too? Do?" as Mrs. Appleby nodded. "Now isn'tthat great! Well, honest now, isn't she--did you ever see a dandieryoung lady than that?"

  "She is a nice girl!" Mrs. Appleby's mouth was under strict control, buther eyes twinkled. "Have you been at the house more than once? You sayyou have met Mr. Aymer--and Mrs. Aymer?"

  "I have, ma'am! They were more than kind to me, I must say. Yes, I'vebeen there four or five times. I--I didn't do all the knives the firstday I was there, nor yet the second. Their knives was in poor shape--"He paused and looked helplessly into the kind, shrewd gray eyes. "I--Idon't know as I was in any too great hurry about them knives!" hefaltered. "I--fact is, I give consid'able time to 'em; took a couple oneday and another couple another. Pleasant place, and nice folks, youunderstand--and--I told you about them two mean guys--"

  Mrs. Appleby said she did understand. And what did Pippin propose to donext? she asked. Why, that was just what he was studyin' over; he wasjust puttin' that up to himself when he ran across the kiddo just now.Whether to wait round a bit and watch till he was a mite surer than whathe was--and yet he _was_ sure, knowin' them two and their ways--or upand tell the Boss thus and so, and let him do as he der--as he thoughtfit.

  "I've got a hunch," said Pippin, "that I'd better tell him right away.What say?"

  "I say you are right!" Mrs. Appleby spoke with decision.

  "I'll do it! I'll do it before I sleep to-night. Maybe he'll think ofsome way to hasten matters up a mite. If they're goin' to do him up, Iwish't they'd get at it, so's we can round 'em up and me get off on mybusiness. Not but it _is_ my business to stop such doin's every time Isee a chance. I wish you good mornin' lady, and I'm a thousand timesobliged to you."

  He departed, and Mrs. Appleby sat down and wrote a note to Miss MaryFlower, care of John E. Aymer, Esq., Cor. Smith and Brown Streets,City.