Raspberry Jam | Page 9

the man is
blindfolded, he can't play any tricks on us. And he couldn't play tricks
on newspaper men anyway--they're too bright for that!"
"I think they are, too; that's why I'm interested. Warm enough,
Eunice?"

"Yes, thank you," and the beautiful face looked happily content as
Eunice Embury nestled her chin deeper into her fur collar.
For, though late April, the day was crisply cool and there was a tang in
the bright sunshiny air. Aunt Abby was almost as warmly wrapped up
as in midwinter, and when, on reaching Newark, they encountered a
raw East wind, she shrugged into her coat like a shivering Esquimau.
"Where do we go to see it?" asked Eunice, as later, after luncheon, she
eagerly looked about at the crowds massed everywhere.
"We'll have to reconnoiter," Hendricks replied, smiling at her animated
face. "Drive on to the Oberon, Gus."
As they neared the theatre the surging waves of humanity barred their
progress, and the big car was forced to come to a standstill.
"I'll get out," said Hendricks, "and make a few inquiries. The Free Press
office is near here, and I know some of the people there."
He strode off and was soon swallowed up in the crowd.
"I think I see a good opening," said Gus, after a moment. "I'll get out
for a minute, Mrs, Embury. I must inquire where cars can be parked."
"Go ahead, Gus," said Eunice; "we'll be all right here, but don't go far.
I'll be nervous if you do."
"No, ma'am; I won't go a dozen steps."
"Extry! Extry! All about the Great Magic! Hanlon the Wonderful and
his Big Stunt! Extry!"
"Oh, get a paper, Eunice, do," urged Aunt Abby from the depths of her
fur coat. "Ask that boy for one! I must have it to read after I get
home--I can't look at it now, but get it! Here, you --Boy--say, Boy!"
The newsboy came running to them and flung a paper into Eunice's lap.

"There y'are, lady," he said, grinning; "there's yer paper! Gimme a
nickel, can't yer? I ain't got time hangin' on me hands!"
His big black eyes stared at Eunice, as she made no move toward a
purse, and he growled: "Hurry up lady; I gotta sell some papers yet.
Think nobuddy wants one but you?"
Eunice flushed with annoyance.
"Please pay him, Aunt Abby," she said, in a low voice; "I --haven't any
money."
"Goodness gracious me! Haven't five cents! Why, Eunice, you must
have!"
"But I haven't, I tell you! I can't see Alvord, and Gus is too far to call to.
Go over there, boy, to that chauffeur with the leather coat--he'll pay
you."
"No, thanky mum! I've had that dodge tried afore! Pity a grand dame
like you can't scare up a nickel! Want to work a poor newsie! Shame
for ya, lady!"
"Hush your impudence, you little wretch!" cried Aunt Abby. "Here,
Eunice, help me get my purse. It's in my inside coat pocket--under the
rug--there, see if you can reach it now."
Aunt Abby tried to extricate herself from the motor rug that had been
tucked all too securely about her, and failing in that, endeavored to
reach into her pocket with her gloved hand, and became hopelessly
entangled in a mass of fur, chiffon scarf and. eyeglass chain.
"I can't get at my purse, Eunice; there's no use trying," she wailed,
despairingly. "Let us have the paper, my boy, and come back here
when the owner of this car comes and he'll give you a quarter."
"Yes--he will!" shouted the lad, and he'll give me a di'mon' pin an' a
gold watch! I'd come back, willin' enough, but me root lays the other

way, an' I must be scootin' or I'll miss the hull show. Sorry!" The boy,
who had no trouble in finding customers for his papers, picked up the
one he had laid on Eunice's lap and made off.
"Never mind, Auntie," she said, "we'll get another. It's too
provoking--but I haven't a cent, and I don't blame the boy. Now, find
your purse--or, never mind; here comes Alvord."
"Just fell over Mortimer!" called out Hendricks as the two men came to
the side of the car. "I made him come and speak to you ladies, though I
believe its holding up the whole performance. Let me present the god
in the machine!"
"Not that," said Mr. Mortimer, smiling; "only a small mechanical part
of to-day's doings. I've a few minutes to spare, though but a few. How
do you do, Miss Ames? Glad to see you again. And Mrs, Embury; this
brings back childhood days!"
"Tell me about Hanlon," begged Miss Ames. "Is he on the square?"
"So far as I know, and I know all there is to know, I