The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-31
A wavering voice replied:

n "aFerlnS voice repileu:
''Only me. Is that you, boss?"
John Proctor bent forward and per-
ceived man slowly crawling along in
the shadow of a pile of joist. As the
figure emerged into the moonlight, he
saw that the fellow dragged one leg
helplessly after HIM His suspicious
melted away beneath his natural
warmth of heart.
''Are you hurt?''
''Only falling timber, boss, but the
fire got into my eyes and | can't see
very we'll"
He had drawn himself to Proctor's
feet and stopped, turning little upon
his side, his head propped up with his
hand.
"You see when come through the
door something fell against me. and
not seeing you, and not being able to
get about very well, there were so
many of them cussed Mexican thieves
about, l was afraid they might make
off with this out a fiat
leather book which John Proctor seized
with a glad exclamation. The man
went on, talking in an absent way.
Il wouldn't have liked to have you
think i'll of me. You're the first man
who give ME q chance since
got down. 1 want always a loafer.
sir. You spoke of my knowing some
thing about the business, and 10 be sure
l ought, if fifteen years as 'sorter' in
the Wisconsin lumber region can teach
a man anything of lumber. But when
my wife died struck off out West. Its
been hard luck ever since-and my lit
tie girl-back there with her grand
parents
His voice seemed to fail from weak.
ness.
What have you eaten to-day"
asked the other sharply.
The man answered reluctantly and
almost in tone of apology.
You see, sir-down there among the
lumber piles how could p
John Proctor was q man more
given to action than speech. He ad-
dressed the man now in clear, decided
tones.
'.Do you think you could hold on to
my back while | carried you down to
the hOtel?'
''Why. sir. it wouldn't be fit"
"Shut up! Put your arms around my
neck"
The Office and bar room of the hotel,
pretentious structure of Eastlake
architecture, held its usual quota of re-
spectacle loafers, when John Proctor
entered, with the uncouth figure on his
back. A gurgle of laughter ran through
the crowd. The majority fancied the
young lumberman's brain had heen
turned by his recent losses, and that his
dementia had taken the form of vio-
lent development of the weakness with
which he had hitherto been accredited.
Their laughter suddenly ceased when
the young man went straight to the
clerk, saying, in clear, ringing tones:
''Give me the best room you have.
This man, who saved my life last night,
is badly hurt. Some OF you." turning
TO the .idlers, ''go at once for the sur
geon of the Atchison road"
A dozen men sprang forward to re-
carry the poor fellow to comfortable
room, where he was gently laid upon
the bed. The sufferer received those
in silence. His dim eyes
stared incredulonsly about the room,
and into the kindly faces bending ovec
him. That anything like this should
happen to him! Howlong would it last?
Would they let him have one good
nights rest before turning him out
again? When once more on the desc |
late plain, wandering through sage
brush, mesquite and soap-weed, it !
would seem like some strange dream. !
But what was this? The stalwart young |
speaking huskily to the
doctor:
"And mind, Mclean, do Your best.
| owe him more than can tell yOu.
Put him in good trim TO take the fore
OF my yard when get stocked
up"
The silly old vagrant buried his face
in the pillow and wept.-FI0rG HaineS
AppOnyi, IN Chicago Current.