The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-04-21

shocked tone, he added, why, he is
wounded. Some one fetch doctor at
once |"
"'Tain't no rise, /" whispered the boy.
family; and then, reckoning to the
merchant to bend closer, he said, in IT.
regular gasps. "Does yes savoy the
mouseY
The merchant looked perplexed.
eyer don't know me, but I know-d
you and the little gal, too, as soon as I
seed her drop. I'm the boy what was
looked up"
"Yes, yes, I remember; but You
mustn't talk until the doctor comes, my
poor fellow"
"Tain't no use, I'm goin'," said the
small mouth. "Here, take that out and
count it, and he indicated lump that
protruded from pocket of his wet
clothes. The merchant gently with
drew rag, in which was rolled lot Of
silver.
"Count it, persisted the lad, earnest
ly. The man wonderingly obeyed, and
then said there were just So. 40 in the
bundle.
ST said I'd pay you back this year."
said the boy In fainter whisper and
with disregard of his terrible pain that
was marvellous but can't now Tn
a-goin', and I'm so cents short |"
And he said this with so earnest
look of distress and shame at his failure
that through the mind of his wet-eyed
creditor involuntarily passed thought
of the petty privations, the ceaseless lit
tie acts of self-denial, the half-fed days
and shivering nights that were ex-
pressed by each of the battered dimes
and boarded nickels of the slowly
acquired sum he held in his hand.
"Never mind the money" said the
father in choking voice; "my baby is
worth all the money in the world to me,
and you have saved her lfe." As he
spoke sudden thought dimly bright
ened the eyes of the battered little
tradesman. Accustomed as he was from
his earliest moments to fight the despe-
rate battle of existence with his hunger
sharpened faculties on the alert for every
advantage and offset in his pigmy bar
gains, he asked:
:" Is gals worth anything?"
It was evident that saving another
life, or losing his own, was small mat
ter beside his anxiety to pay the debt OF
honor that weighed upon him. He
asked the question incredulously, though.
The few girls of 'Snub's acquaintance
were Yretchedly Intellectual creatures,
unable to compete in the paper trade,
and proportionately worthless and in
significant.
Yes, yes mine is worth ever so
much" said the parent gently. and
hardly knowing how to frame his an
swer to the odd question.
"Sixty cents ?" persisted Snubs.
Oh yes-much, much more
"Then," whispered the child, with an
effort, but still triumphantly. "we're
square. I said I'd do it-and / have I
and his eyes closed.
"Can't I do something for you, my
poor little hero?" said the merchant
through his tears, for the just-arrived
physician had turned away, shaking his
head. "Do you wish for nothing q
The little black eyes opened duly
moment, pondered, and then closed
again.
81 should like Skinny Smith to have
my corner" The murmur came family
and far off. And then, having made his
brief will, he choked, and as the blood
oozed thinly from his little drawn mouth
he whispered but one word more:
Square"
cts beginning to rain," said one Of
the bystanders, in a husky voice. "Let
us carry the little chap home"
But the wharf rat had gone home
already.-SGn Francisco Post.