Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1873-03-12

pailes. "You'd have to build q house
for 1t, Johnny" said slie, Ms they
turned away.
$50 would! I'd b,:Ild iiice one,
Pd--I'd--'
"Be careful, Jolinny," as the little
figure, its eyes half blinded still by
tho bright gas-light, started to run
across the street, down which two
spirited h5rs. were coming rapidly.
"Oh, there's plenty of time--l can
run"
There was plenty of time as he
said, and johnny was fleet of foot,
but, ali he forgot the treachcrous
sole. 1t gave him no warning until
he had reached the middle of the
street, then he stumbled and fell,
just rs the horses were close upon
him.
They were going furiously, and
could not stop. There was a piercing
shrek as the pitiless hooi cdnle crush
ingly down upoi the small ankle.
Then johnny was very stil'.
A kindly crowd gathered at once.
Very ienderly they lifted hun iroin
The ground Che was not heavy
weight), and carried him home, Su-
san walking silently before, pale as
death. She made Up the little bed in
the sitting-room; aud they placed
him upon it; then the old white
haired doctor came, and she went
llithcr and tliitlier for the necessary
articles as he called for them, hardly
conscious of her mothers frightened
questions, which, however, she all
swered quietly. She made no outcry,
shed no tear, only when some one
put into her hand the precious shoes
(alas! they were muddy after ally, she
forgot herself for an instant, but
almost Immediately became calm
again.
Once johnny opened his eyes,. and
whispered her name, then closed
them again, unconscious.
All the long night she sat there
watching. "He must be kept very
quiet" the doctor said. sit was a
bad break-very bad. lie might
walk again, sometime but just ut the
ankle SO, it was bad" And Susan
shuddercd as the thought OF the ac-
tire little feet, and wondered how
they could bear it.
The next day he was brighter, aud
asked for his shoes. She polished
them until they shone again, and
placed them in II chair by the bed
side.
"Where are the old oncs?" he in
quired at length.
..In the fire." replied Susan half
spitcrulIy.
"Ugly old things!" They threw
me down. Ii Id worn my new ones,
Susan, as you said-'
81 wouldn't talk about it now,
dear"
"But it was too bad," lin plain
tive tone). "It wouldn't be quite so
bad, Susan, if could just move my
foot. q little. Could I?''
'No, johnny; try and be patient !;
III find nice story" aud she took
up Jacks new Reader Qhcrc were
very few books Of any kind in the
house,. and read until the heavy eye
lids closed again.
Four long, long days followed, du-
ring which fatigue and constant pain
made Johnny restless and uneasy.
''He was so tired ~ lie would say
wearily: "he hated to have his foot
all boxed up like that it was SO large
too; MS large as his fathers; he
couldn't wear his new shoes-never."
And then the poor little fellow would
moan in hopeless kind of way that
it almost broke Susan's heart 10 hear;
or, perhaps, CRY pitecusly.
And then she would wet the heated
bandage, and bathe the fevered checks
and soothe him with loving words,
or tell him some funny story, until he
forgot his troubles for time.
But on the fifth morning the good
old doctor looked very sober. The
limb was doing well, but the boy was
sinking. Very gently he told Susan
of his fears, as they stood together,
looking at the motionless figure up
on tic bed; There were tears in his
eyes, as he saw her white hag.ard
face, but there were none in hers.
All that day Johuny slept quietly,
but toward night he woke. The blue
eyes follwed Susan lovingly, around
the room, as she made preparations
for the evening meal. elbow busy
she was,-hov smart! He didn't be-
lieve many boys had such q sister,"
So the eyes watched her proudly.
She couldn't resist them, but paused
often in the midst Of her work for a
smile or kiss
GLOW well he looked! The doctor
was too anxious altogether" Alas
poor Susan!
Father and mother went TO bed as
usual-Jack brought his comforter
and lay down upon the floor beside
them (hc WAS very kind to johnny
now,) and Susan took her accus-
toned seat beside her patient.
"Susan," said lie, looking steadily
at her, "you won't send me to school
now will you?"
"Not quite yet" she answered, try
ing to smile. -.
"You never WILL" he said quietly,
81 heard what the doctor said"
She was silent.
"Won't it be funny" cried the lit
tie voice, almost exultant, "to go to
Gods school! shan't be afraid OF
Him, shall l, Susan ?"
|, ~ hope not Johnny"
'.But shau't, l know l shan't.
like Him. He's good to me-"
:. Brave, loyal, little heart! She
: thought Of the short life, SO full o.
trial and hardship, and couldn't