The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-07-01
From the Wayside.

AoAAA AAo ~ Sluos
DIR. Silas Walsh one day sat In his office
reading very interesting book. 1t was Il
part of his business, this reading, for the
hook was of science within the scope of
his profession, Hc was comparatively Il
young man, and had the reputation of being
an excellent physician. While he read
some one rang ut his office bell. He laid
aside his book and went to the door, and
when he saw what was upon the stepping
stone he WAS indignant.
1t was a ragged, dirty boy, known in
Ernsworth as tIlammcr Jim"-raggcd and
dirty, and with the vilencss of the slums
upon him-a boy vicious and profanc,
against whom every other boy was warned
a boy who was called Il thief and villain,
whom no efforts of the Ovcrsccrs had been
able to reclaim, and who seemed to care for
nothing but to make people afraid Of him.
His true name, us the Ovcrsccrs had it, was
James Ammcrton. About his father no.
body in Ernsworth had ever known His
mother had died an inmate Of the Poor
house.
On the present occasion, Jim's face was
not only dirty, but bloody; and there
was blood upon his grimed and tattcrcd
garments
''Please, sir, won't you fix my head?
I've got Il hurt"
''What kind of hurl2" asked the doc
tor.
'I'm afcarcd it's bad, SIR" said the boy,
sobbingly. "One O Mr.. Dunn's men hit
me with rock. Obi"
''What did lie hit you FORE"
81 duno, sir"
eyes, you do know. What did he throw
the stone Mt you fOr2' ,Irt'f
"Why, sir, | was piclS'n up an apple
DR.. Walsh would not touch the boys
head with his fingers. There was no need
of it. lie could see that there was only a
scalp wound, and that the blood had ccnscd
to flow
"Go homc," he said, 'lct your folks
wash your head and put on clean ban
dage:"
''Please, sir, l hain't got no home, and
hain't got no folks"
'You stop somewhere, don't you?"
II stop at the poor-'us when they don't
kick me out"
"Wel, boy, you are not going to die
from this. Go and get somebody to wash
your head, or, go and wash it yourself, and
tie your handkerchief on"
''Please, sir, hain't got no"
''fIold up, boy. I haven't got time to
waste. You won't suffer if you go as you
are"
And with this DR.. Silas Walsh closed the
door and returned to his book. He had not
meant to be mkind; but really he had not
thought there was any need of professional
service on his part; and certainly he did not
want that bad boy in his Office.
But DIR. Walsh had not been alone cogni-
mt IF f1n INSv ns+ Il
witness at an upper window. The doctors
wife had seen and heard. She was wo.
man. She was not strong, and resolute,
and dignified like her husband. Her heart
was not only tender, but it was used to
aching. She had no children living; but
there were two little mounds in the church
yard which told her of angels in Heaven
that could call her mothcr Acting upon
her impulse, as she was very apt TO act, she
slipped down, and called the boy in, by the
back way, to the wash room. He came in,
rags, dirt, and all, wondering what was
wanted. The sweet voice that had called
him had not frightened him. Hc came in,
and stood looking at Mary Walsh, and as
he looked his sobbing ceased.
''Sit down my boy"
He sat down. N,t
''If will help you, will you try to be
good9"
II can't be good:'
"Why not2"
I "Cause can't. 'Taint In me. Every
J body says So"
'.But can't you try9" 4
'T dono." y
s.lf I should help you, you would be
willing to try, to please me2"
''Yes, MI should certain"
Mrs Walsh brought basin Of water and
soft sponge, and with tender hand she
washed the boys head and face Then
with pair of scissors, she clipped away the
hair from tho manufacturing, handsome
&hair-ard found it not bad one. She
brought piece of sticking plaster, which
she fixed upon 1t, and then she. brushed the
hair back from tile full brow, and looked
into the boys face-not a bad face--not an
evil face. Shutting out the rags and dirt,
twas really a handsome face. ar|
What's your name, my boy9"
Hammer Jim, ma'am; and sometimes
Ragged Jim
u mean, how were you christencds"
s$sS (Which, 'm2" -
Don't you know what name your par
GIlts gave ,you3" f
"O--ye-es. It's down on the 'seers'
books, mum, ias James Ammerton."
&"Well, James, the hurt on your head is
not q bad one, and fayou are careful not to
rubsoff the plaster 1t will very soon heal up.
t.s ss Ia. .s.dlease ma'am, i haven't Gat nothing
to-day ~, ssi agt 50 liS9,5i ! 4 & &
/. sac Mrs. Walsh brought out soI6e bread and
n butter ardla cup 81 milk, and allowed tho
n how tn ait thhra in the yya oy,d aoti