The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-02-13


police boat, and taken TO the hospital. See
what there Is in 1t.
With muttered objurgation at people
who selected midnight in January for sui
cidal purposes, drew on my ulster and
went out into the cold. 1t was bitter
night, and my temper was by no means
improved by the occasional furry of sleet
which dashed into my face, or the gusts
of wind which caught the long tails of
my ulster and twisted them around my
legs, making locomotion difficult. When
reached the hospital, found out briefly
that an unknown woman had jumped
from the pier at the foot of Maiden Lane,
that q newsboy had jumped after her and
endeavored to save her, but that had it
not been for the opportune arrival of the
police boat, both would have perished. AS
it was, the woman was insensible, and
probably would not live. The boy was
getting on well.
"What is the woman's name ?" l in
quired, looking up from my notes.
I" She's insensible, and we can't tell"
was the answer.
"What is the boys name 2" pursued.
I" He calls himself Patsy Trib."
"Patsy Trib |" 1 exclaimed. Can l
see him 2"
l was taken into the ward, and there, on
clean white cot, lay my young friend.
He was cleaner than had ever seen him
before, for 1t must be admitted that clean
illness was not one of Patsy's virtues. |
went to his bedside
"Well, Patsy, how do you like swim
ming in January 2" l said.
He turned his head and looked up at
ba hoxy
now, that his face was washed and his
hair combed.
"Tell me about it," continued.
"Well, you see, l was down on the
dock, and the first thing | see was the
woman walkin' to the end. When she
got there she looked in the water, and
couldn't rightly say whether she fell in
or jumped anyhow, over she went, and
soused in after her. She grabbed me
round the neck, and if it hadn't been for
the cops we'd both abeen goners. Say, are
you goin' ter interview me 7" he added.
smiled assent.
"And will my name be in the paper 2"
eyes"
"Oh, Jimminy p he exclaimed, with
CLEAN of mischief in his eyes. "Our re-
porter called upon Mr.. Patsy Trib in the
Chambers street hospital, and after a
hearty welcome from that well-known
| chap, the following conversation ensued.
| Is that the kind ?" he added laughing.
81 didn't think I'd ever git my name in
the paper Pm sellin'."
A few minutes more conversation and
| was obliged to return to the office.
took good care to send paper to Patsy
the next day, and he had the pleasure of
seeing his name in print. | called to see
the boy several times, and just day or
two before the doctors said he was well
enough to leave, an old uncle of mine
from the country came into the office to
see me. After the usual greeting, he said,
doubtfully:
az don't 'spose you know of any good
boy can get to work out on the farm
Pm about sick of hired men, and reckon
eff could get good boy, I'd give him
home and treat him all right"
81 know of just the one" I replied in
stantly. "He's newsboy -"
al don't want him. Deacon Smith
had one from the Newsboys' Home, and
such tarnation poster you never see."
"But mine is different" and l briefly
related what knew of Patsy. As con-
cluded l saw my uncle was touched, and
added few words of recommendation of
my own:
the old gentleman, and we started up to
the hospital to see Patsy. When | pro-
posed the scheme he was delighted, and
so pleased my uncle with his enthusiasm,
that the next day they both left for the
farm down on Long Island. For the next
two years lost sight of Patsy, and it was
not until when three years of hard work
at the city desk entitled me to two
weeks vacation, that l saw him. When
decided to go to my uncle's to enjoy my
holiday on the farm, felt slight curl
osity as to how Patsy was getting on and
as / left the train at the little wayside
station, and was looking around for my
uncle, was somewhat surprised when a
young man stepped toward me with ont
stretched hand, saying:
"You don't remember me, Mr.. Dem.
ing"
For the moment did not, but second
look convinced me, the clear gray eyes,
'. the frank expression of the face was the
same, but in the tall, stalwart figure, and
the muscular hand, there was indeed a
change. When we reached the house, my
uncle told me he had never had better
boy.
"He is good farmer and good boy
, and he's goin' to marry a good girl, eff
, amt mistaken. He's been sort O. settin
up to one O. Spragues gals, and eff he
marries her I'll let him have the Other
house and the north end of the farm to
| work until he can pay for it. Pm get
3 tin too old to work the whole place any.
J how"
The rest Of the story can be told in a
, few words.
r Patsy married the "Sprague gal" and
. the next time l visited the old place,
{ stopped at his own house with him. AS
{ we were walking around his well-tilled
, fields one quiet Sunday afternoon, he
t turned 10 me with quiet smile and said
8 "a pretty nice place, isn't it -
4 | assented.
: "And it all came from five dollar golt
:. piece. That night you gave me that coin
!. | held it in my hand and thought I'd keel
0 it and go to the theatre, but l could not
a So ran and gave it back to you, ant
this he added, CHANGING proudly round
a his farm, dis the investment"
a don't believe in drawing moral from
< every true story. But one can't help no