Doodles, the Sunshine Boy

by Emma C. Dowd

The possible selling of Caruso was almost lost sight of in the excitement of the coming picnic. There were trousers and blouses and neckties for Mrs. Stickney to wash and iron. Since papers must be delivered on time, Blue must find a boy that was not going to the picnic. This was a long task, for nearly every one of Blue’s acquaintance had given his name to the Salvation Army Sergeant, and the few not on the list had early been engaged as substitutes. But a free lad was finally discovered, and Blue, who had been tormented by spasms of fear lest he might have to remain to serve his customers himself, ran home on nimble feet to tell the good news. He carried joy, also, in the shape of two magic slips of pink cardboard,—passports to the wonderful automobile rides, eight hours in the enchanting country, and a dinner of dainties topped with ice cream.

Doodles had enough to think of that afternoon, for the little pink card seemed to suggest all kinds of rosy delights. He was so wrapped in his own happy anticipations that at tea time he did not notice the shadow which had fallen on his brother.

Blue’s bliss, with a careless twirl of his hand, had suddenly changed to dismay and sorrow. Standing on the curb, he had been idly fingering his new ticket, when it had slipped from his loose grasp. A strong north wind was blowing, and swept down the street as the bit of cardboard left his hand. Away it flew, with Blue in pursuit; but an inquisitive terrier, spying the curious slip of pink, had started too. The terrier grabbed it first, speeding off with it in his mouth, and although Blue chased the dog out of sight and himself out of breath, he was finally forced to turn back without another glimpse of his precious ticket.

What should be done? Blue said nothing to anybody, but he decided the matter before going to bed. One thing, Doodles must not know. He would directly insist on his brother’s using the remaining ticket. Blue well knew that. So he planned to have Joseph Sitnitsky care for Doodles, and he himself would walk to the grove.

There was no use in asking to have his loss made good. Had not Sergeant Connor expressly warned the children not to lose their tickets, saying that they could not be replaced! No, it was walk or stay at home. Blue had no idea of the distance to Highland Grove; but he felt equal to any number of miles. So without taking Joseph wholly into his confidence he arranged for him to sit beside Doodles in the car, leaving him to conjecture as he might concerning the reason. Joseph never asked questions.

With all his planning, however, Blue did not feel sure of the success of the scheme until he had seen his brother safe and happy in the automobile, waving a merry good-bye to him. He had been afraid there might be inquiries that he could not easily answer; but Doodles, on this morning of unusual happenings, had taken everything without remark, and when Blue had observed, in as careless a tone as he could command, that he was not going to ride in the car with him, had apparently given the matter no further thought.

It was easy to hide himself in the big crowd, and he pressed on ahead, albeit with a little sigh for the pleasure he had missed. He did not hasten; he fell into his usual pace, and kept it. Those sixty automobiles, he argued, would not get started in a hurry, and he should be well towards the end of his tramp before they came up. Billy Frick had told him it was not very far.

Business blocks grew scattering and were interspersed with dwellings. Shops were smaller and less frequent. Bungalows appeared, with tiny gardens attached. The city was falling behind. Along the way were groups of women and children, waiting to see the picnickers pass. Blue heard them talking about it as he went by. Presently he caught the sound of shouts.

“They’re coming!” cried a girl.

He turned in dismay. A big car, gay with flags, was whizzing round the broad curve he had just passed, and a long line followed. Quickly he screened himself with a fat woman, to avoid the possible eyes of Doodles. Then he peeped out—there was Joseph! He dodged behind the broad back, and so missed the sight of his brother. In a moment they were gone.