nine o'clock
In the group at the station stood a white boy , about ten years old , -- a neatly dressed , well-behaved little fellow , with an expression of crushing and delightful responsibility . He wandered back and forth restlessly and proudly from the track to a tree in the square , where an old horse and wagon were fastened with unnecessary security . The boy tested the halter , and patted the horse continually . It was a very important thing to drive two miles in the dark for one 's father and bring him home from the nine o'clock express . Add to this situation the excitement of an excursion , and Donny de Mone felt that life lacked nothing more to the position and the dignity of manhood . Besides , Donny was very fond of his father , and had not seen him for two weeks . -LSB- Illustration : `` THE BOY TESTED THE HALTER , AND PATTED THE HORSE . '' -RSB-