New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-09
~ I |

"4llw
That's me, cir
Let me zee your arm
Its all right sir
''All right, is it In my humble opinion
it's about as wrong as wrong can be-
All looked down at the bruised flesh and
broken bones he had affirmed to be "all
right" with a half contemptuous smile, and
then, resigning himself to the inevitable,
laid quietly watching the white hands of
the young doctor as he prepared splints,
bandages, etc, and commenced the work OF
setting the bone, now rendered doubly diff
cult by the swelling of the bruised flesh.
The light of the setting sun stole into the
ROOM Illuminating with a sudden glory the
bare walls and comfortless surroundings,
and throwing into strong relief the two
figures which gave life to the picture. The
doctors frank, good humOred face, slight
easy figure and air of careless good
breeding, could not have been out of
place under any circumstances; but the
other seemed strangely in unison with,
and Yet in contradiction to, his sur
rOundings. His muscular frame might
have served as model for strength
ana beauty-a Hercules in a prison dress.
His hands. hardened and roughened by toll,
had been as slender and well shaped as the
doctors own. His face, bronzed by expo
sure to all weathers, was still high. bred and
rehned-aQuiline features, clear. brave ewes,
and above all, the close cropped hair of a
convict. he had that air of reserve, totally
distinct from rudeness, which only we'll
bred people possess, and which impresses
even the most vulgar and Obtuse.
Though the sensitive mouth BETRAYED his
delicate. nervous organization, nothing
could be more stOical than the composure
with which he bore the torture he was
suffering.
,.Ur r%b
thing, or cry QUIT" exclaimed the DOCTOR
half impatiently.
Noticing the gathering wilderness round
his patients lips, the doctor hastily poured
something in glass, and, bidding him
drink it, went quickly on with his work.
After few minutes silence he glanced up
suddenly.
What's that y pointing to a small blue
figure on the brawny wrist.
THAT. o! my crest l did it when l
was boy said the man, inditferently.
Your crestF
Ibid l cay thatl' and flush crept over
his face, Il must have been dreaming;
people 90 dream sometimes, don't they"
The doctor did not answer, but looked
keenly at him, as he turned away his head
with short. embarrassed laugh
What is your Manner
mo. All"
Il don't mean that; mean your NAME"
persisted the doctor.
Jim Brown"
DIR. Harris laughed. Jim Brown Why
don't You say Bill Scroggins! One name
would suit about as well as the other"
No All frowned slightly. why should
/ tell you my manner
I'm sure ! dent know was the an
swer; ..uuless because / want you to. That
crest on your arm is very like my own. l
thought perhaps we were related"
..And if we werel You would not own |
me-"
WHY mott am not bad fellow in my |
do l think you are. Why |
own your
The man raised himself on his arm, and
looked searchingly into the doctors face.
~ convict?' he said. s..iS
Well said the doctor, dryly, II don't
.ee much society except convicts at present,
md cant say but what I ,Ssm them as
God deal better. I've found out it isn't
iways the worst that are caught, by any
peans. I'm radical you must Know"