“All out for Erie Railroad!” now yelled the guard, as the train pulled in and it was his duty to open the doors.
“Git off here and wait fer a train what comes in on th’ other side the platform!” called he, shoving Don and Dot out from blocking the doorway.
“Much obliged! Good-by!” called Don, about to wave his hand that had been hidden in his pocket. The other hand grasped Dot’s sleeve.
The door slammed, the train moved out, and the twins were left standing alone. Don found he could not withdraw his hand readily, and discovered that the gum had not only stuck fast to his fingers but had also clutched a hold on various articles a boy always carries in his pocket.
“Dot you go and ask the newspaper man how long before a New York car comes in?” suggested Don, as he wished to be alone when that gum came forth.
Dot, proud to be trusted by her brother with such an important mission, ran away and Don hurriedly set to work. After much tugging the gum came out and with it came a marble, a broken jackknife, a fish-hook, a brass button, a sling-shot, and a few other treasures.
Don did his best to extricate his personal property from the gum without wasting too much of the rare treat. So he carefully chewed off every bit that clung to each article as he pulled it forth. He replaced the treasures in his pocket and thrust the gum in his mouth just as Dot came back.
“See that red sign—up there?” said she, pointing to an electric sign overhead.
“Well, that reads where the trains go. This one just coming in is uptown the man said.”
With that she dragged her twin aboard without ceremony—was he not chewing that gum again, and did she have any? No, sir!