The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-08-01

the light to keep the current of air from
it, aud then went back to bed and can
say this-that that faint light coming in
from the front room gave me more peace
of mind than anything else could have
done. We two-Mary and I-were the
happiest pair in town that night, and the
lamp has never been out of my window
since.
"The curious part of it," he concluded
sis that my affairs improved directly,
and you couIdn', put that lamp out now
| for fifty thousand dollars"
"Aud dill it do any good2" asked.
Not that night" lie replied with n
laugh. THAT was for my sake, you
know ~
"For yo,tr sake2"
Eyes it brought rest from a bad con
! science and that pleasure that always
comes from an attempt to do good.
Mary who had often urged me to show
the light-was particularly happy, and
NC ialriy longed for some one to knock
at our coor.
| "The first time there came rap in the
night my heart fairly leaped into my
throat. We have laughed many tine
at our delight in getting up in tie night
With aIdor ON taat occasion. 1t proved
to be regular vagabond, but he was the
most astonishing man you ever heard of.
The way We washed his feet and gave
him hot supper and cuddled him gen.
eraly was "a C luton. Hah hah! hahl'
Here my friend roared with laughter,
but thought saw tear in his eye.
But how" asked does the thing
really workt"
"Oh, variously! There are duties con-
nectt d with the lamp that one must be
careful to perform. One gets expert in
fast will have my tramp down and put
him through his PAGES. | shall perhaps
hint that he had better find work before
night. Imiy help him a bit, or may
mention his case to the policeman on the
corner"
Here B. lapsed into silence.
I'D, you kno -" said l, that l rather
expected from you a story that you
would have saved life the very night
you put out the lampf
B laughed.
J
are all for fire and action and overlook
the still life and so you war with nature.
You would bring in wounded man with
thunder and lightning and leave out the
peace Of mind and coutentment of the
lamp lighter. People do not think
enough of feeling"
He turned his cigar in his mouth, and
saw dark angry look in his face for
an instant.
God help me and forgive me, but
there is one thing that CHANGED to me
when boy 1 never will forget. Yet it
was mere tritle that happened when
was out of work-a tramp, in short"
"You must tell it. l never could i'm
agine you a tramp without you painted
The picture"
at would be tedious to tell how it
came about altogether. A bad hand
wound got by machinery lost me stua-
ton, and as it gathered proud flesh got
restless, and boylike, must need go
roaming of after work was lilly fitted
to do. had spent all my money by the
time reached Cleveland, and then came
the pangs Of hunger. could get no work
at the trade knew something of, and the
, time had come when must do anything
| could get or starve. | had been day
almost without food, and had gloated
over the stores of bread and fruit in the
stores with a longing that is terrible to
!, me to this day. As wandered aimlrssly
down "a long street of fair residences
that stretched out Of the town, chance
threw me in the way of gentleman who
needed lad to work in his grounds.
This just suited me, as l ardently loved
out OF door scenes, and we soon came to
terms and | rejpiced over the prospect of
having my dinner lie, however, was
very careful, as he said he could not
take boy except he had good reputa
ton. felt that this was proper. He
demanded references and gave them,
but 1t would take week to write to the
parties. AT the end of the week | was
to call and IT the replies were satisfactory
| could get the place. l knew the re-
plies would he satisfactory, and now only
had to keep up Tor week. Before night
| had engaged with smal farmer to
work for ing board for one week, aud was
contented. II must have astonished that
man to see me eat my supper, for through
all my pride kept me from telling any
one of my destitution. The people were
very kind, and the lady, VINO was re-
markab c pretty, showed me how to use
burnt alum to eat the proui flesh out OF
wound so that it healed up rapidly. At
the end OF the week bade adieu to my
friends and gaily sought the city. My
troubles considered over. l could hold
this situation as long as l pleased, aud
| amid hnXers and Tees be hannu [ WAC