The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-01-04

his old friend and contemporary. Yet
such are the contradictions of life that
his pocket that night was furnished with
the eiehtn OF the worth Of an air-pump
which ne had disposed of the same even,
ing 10 an ltinerant Philistine.
What world of phantoms! AS he
passes through the streets of the great
metropolis at night, one is inclined to
speculate upon the various chances and
incidents which are passing within those
friendly or traitorous fabrications of
brick and mortar. A shadow upon the
blind may betoken death or life, dis
honor and ruin, or reconciliation and
happiness. Ten thousand hearts NAV be
throbblng passionately, despairingly,
hopefully beneath the veil which civil
cation has wrought before with cynical
decency, while this crumb of mortality
Is pacing the streets below, totally un-
affected.
One night, to continue the above
details, the wayfarers in certain by
way oil Fleet street might have observed
a shade start into relief against the blind
OF al upper window of dwelling, which
for the rest was in deep blackness. This
apparItion seemed to throw its arms
above its head, and, after wildly clasp
ing the hands, stagger out of sight, leav-
ing the square of light to its former
unbroken dimensions.
Alb, doctor, we have recognized you
and will enter.
a square table adOrns the centre of
that room which owns the lighted case
ment, and round it are seated some half
dozen card players, all flushed with wine
and IN uproarious humOr. In striking
contrast to these boisterous spirits is the
form OF poor Bone, bowed down to the
earth with shame and misery, with his
white hair falling over the lean hands
which are strained to his face as if to
shut out-What? With cry he sud
denly starts to his feet. "Boy," he
says hoarsely to the young baronet, who
Is sitting there and turns to him coollv.
" have lost mine all-no silver remains
to me, and [ am in debt to thee. But |
have some valuable things at home, the
most precious of which shall recompense
thee"
" Pooh, pooh, doctorl" answers the
young fellow, 81 am i faith no merci-
less creditor: thou shalt have time to
collect thy rents"
No time" says the other, miserabIy
enough, can restore me what | have
lost; thou art young, boy, but, | all too
soon have to account to my Maker for
these recent misdoings. Swear to me-"
he cries suddenly, "swear to me that
thou wilt take and preserve in all honor
what | shall render to thy keeping, for,
God help me, It's dear token and one /
would have well tended"
NAY" replies the boy hastily, dis
turbed by so passionate an appeal and
the unconcealed mirth of his compan-
ions, and moved maybe, by the eager
entreaty Of the applicant, as thou art
so determined, Doctor, I'll accept thy
gift, and, POUNDS, it shall not be sighted
at my hands,"
With this promise at once both poison
and nectar, the old man arose from his
knees, upon which he had latterly
thrown himself, and with one piteous
haggard look on the table and its hate
full surroundings, rushed wildly from
the room.
With the exception of a few loiterers
the streets We deserted as this poor ruin
hurried through them with uncertain
gait and his thin locks streaming in the
chill breeze. With many halts and di-
versions from his course, he at length
succeeded in reaching his house, and,
letting himself in with trembling hand,
he mounted the stairway and softly stole
into the room in which his boy Geof-
frey was enjoying the dreamless sleep of
childhood.
81 have beggared thee" he said, with
a long, heart broken sigh, and the boy
woke up suddenly and wondered at him
with round, sleepy eyes.
"COme, my little one" whispered the
doctor, Il have mission for thee; ask
no questions, pretty; thine old grandad
is sorely troubled" With great sob,
he lifted the astonished but obedient
baby from the crib, and waiting no
longer than to envelop him in a thick
blanket, crept noiselessly down the stairs
and out again into the night mist.
The small party in the room on Fleet
street having broken up was donning
cape and muller, when a feeble step
came climbing the blight toward their
room door. This opened and DR.. Bone
silently entered, with his bundle SO
/ adjusted as to conceal the contents
/ Placing it gently upon the table, and
still holding it, he turned to the young
| baronet and said:
CTS the last stake lost to thee, boy
| remember thy words-oh, God pity me.
remember my words!
| He was gone before they had recovered
/ from their establishment, when one ex-
claimed:
| "Gadzooks, Harry. 1t is something
/ that movesp
Sir Harry strobe hastily to the table,
and, with a suspicion of the truth, un.
/ wound the blanket and disclosed the soft
/ form and wondering features of living
child
/ A moments silence, followed by 9
bOisterous roar of laughter, attended his
/ discovery, and a torrent Of sarcastic con.
gra ,ulations and coarse jests were poured
upon the happy recipient of the doe
/ tors last stake. In the midst of it all he
turned to them with something like 6
! tear glittering in the corner of his eye.
Hold thy gabble," he said roughly
the doctor had more reason than most
/ Of Us in his play, after all. To be sure
he saved my life Once-though 'twa.
professionally-and bis wish shall be
/ fulfilled.
Seeing him in genuine earnestness
! they contented themselves with a few
sneering utterances, which he paid Nc
heed to. Sir Henry, taking the child
gently to his breast and sitting its ner
vous tremours to the best of his ability