Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-08
GaIes ar16 Sketfkes.
fHE xEwsBeTs' GgEsf.
BIT W. H. BRANERD.

less pretentious houses on Broadway, near
x street. q few years ago. At the
side Of the doorway, however, as if To
elucida,e the unsatisfying five letters. was
another. tin sign. the lettering on which
was nearly obli,erated. but which on study.
disclosed the words. "Dr. John Bangs
The individual who correspondent to the
name on the big and little plates, and
dwelt within the house. was lonely man.
DIR. Bangs had lost his wife years ago. bat
short time after marriage. and was now
an old man with bent figure and white hair.
The affection he sustained in his early
wears had been alleyiated. but not removed
with the years. and the doctor had never
cared 10 re.if his ship after the sad wreck
of his first venture on the sea Of welded
life. Touched by his own bereavement,
gladly he held his service at the disposal
OF all who applied to him in distress; and
as TO fees from the afflicted, the thought
occurred to him He did not care for
money; his only aim being TO supply his
wants. Often when n poor man would
call on him for aid, and had not the means
to buy the medicine which he prescribed,
he would furnish the necessary money out
of his own pocket. Through an open, and
what was in years gone by. handsome
face. shonc generous heart and noble
spirit. His practice was large. though
not lucrative but in it he had found com
fort and solace for the years which had
brougt him little other Joy.
Il was night in bleak December. The
doctor sat with his slippered feet on the
screen before CRATE fire. The warmth
from the flames seemed to make the old
- fao srioxu int sal u mi nsual
and rs he sal in deep thought the door bell
rung. With yawn. he rose and opened
the door A gust of wind blew the heavy
snow storm through the opening and made
the old man shake. He nimbly jumped
behind the door, and babe the man out
side hurry in.
Terrible night this. doctor"
II should think So" said the physician.
as he wrapped his gown about him and
hurried back to the fire.
What can do for you?"
BABY has the Group again. and my
wife must have it that you come at once.
The doctor needed no second request.
Bidding his visitor good evening. and
promising to overtake him. the doctor hur-
riedly put on his coat and prepared to at
tend the cradle OF the sick child. The night
was bitter cold. The wind whistled and
howled. and the snow was driven with
singing force against the face. 1t drifted
and drifted. Walking was an effort. The
horse plows of the street railroads we're
kept constantly ut work endeavoring to
clear the tracks. close sleighs driven at a
rapid pace were seen at short intervals.
The stores were brig hit, but save the clerks.
but few people were in them. Customers
would paironize them when the elements
were not so boisterous. The holiday sea-
son was fast approaching, and the win
dows and counters of the shops groaned
under the weight of wealth. Dr. Bangs
took but little notice of these things as he
| plodded along through the deep snow He
was closely muflied, and with hands in
| the pocket of his great coat. walked with
his head down to protect his face from the
storm. He was in the act of crossin 9
| Maiden lane in Broadway when he came
| into collision with youth who was run
ming. The little fellow being the lightest
fell sprawling. and his stock of evening
papers flew about. and were lifted by the
wind and carried away. The doctor had
hard work to retain his equilibrium, but
after an effort succeeded. and looked
| about him. At his feet half buried in the
snow lay the form of boy probably ten
| years old. His clothes were scant and his
little hands were still in his pockets The
doctor helped him up. and he said with a
CHEEKY laugh;
| "Whoo. that was header
| Whats the matter. my little man p
asked the physician good naturally. a.
the little fellow burst out CRYING.
| I've lost my papers,"
\ ''How many did You have?"
/ 81 can't remember. don't know. sir >
| Where do you live?" asked the doc
tor: Il will 90 home with you and will
straighten up matters. 1t was my faul
that you lost your stock"
IL have no home"
| mo home ?-poor little fellow"
NO. sir-me and Billy go down to tn,
newsboys' lodgin' house these cold nights
Billy sold out and has gone to do an er
rand. He told me if | didn't sell out b,
the time he got back that we woult
'whack up and both lose equal"
Then Billy is your partner'"
| "Yes, sir"
4 And has he no home. either? ?"
| No. In summer we sleep in cars ant
boxes. but when il gets cold we have to g,
down TO the newsboys' house. To-nigh
| can't 60 down there, because l won
have enough TO pay for my lodgin' ant
buy papers in the mornin'."
| Come with me. will give yoL lodg
ing"
| "But then Billy will come back here
and If he don't find me at the lodgin'. hel
think I'm pulled in for there is NEAR
cop on this beat; or he'll think somethin
has happened to me. Could Billy com,
with me s'
"Yes. Billy may come with you. Her,
is my card. can you read. yes? Well
come up there as soon as You find Billy
and if I'm not there, you go in my offic,
and wait for me-"
IAN right sir. l will !" and they parted
III.
doctor Bangs, Broadway, ,
read Garry. He's jolly old cove
though. He said be would make it al
right about the papers. Whewi amt i,
colds" and running his hands deeper into
his pockets, he pressed his arms tighter
to his sides. The cold blasts penetrated
his scant and tattered clothing. He
jumped into frindly doorway to await
Billy's coming. 1t seemed as though that
individual would never return. He was
me<fifatinc on the warm bod and r,nsS;hf =