The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-02-10

..No. sir; for Johnny's mother wa,
crying. and we felt terribly ASHAMED
and sorry. Here it is"
And he drew the crumpled envelope
from n side pocket. where he had
thrust it with q vicious squeeze when
he left the Shay house. His father
took it from his hand. opened the
crushed envelope. and spread it out or
the robe over his knees.
"You thought it would DO fun to rid
iculc misfortune" he said. gravely.
I'VE boys like to tease Johnny, yor
know, just to see him get mad" said
Paul.
THAT is natural. perhaps" replied
his father. '.for Johnny is poor. fool.
ish fellow, and boys do not always
stop to consider. But do you know
how he came to DO crippled and lose
his wits?"
No. Paul had never thought to in.
quirc.
II will tell you: In his youth. some
forty or forty-five years ago, he was
as bright as anybody. He was out
skating with dozen or more of his
comrades one day. and one of them
broke through the ice, and came very
near being carried under. Johnny
plunged in after him. brought him up.
kept his face above water until. with
great difficulty, the boys could get
near enough to draw him cut. and was
himself finally dragged from the icy
river with broken leg and other in
juries. In lcaping into the water he
had struck splintcrcd tree-trunk.
sunk in the bottom of the stream. The
prolonged chill resulted I'm u partial
paralysis. He never recovered either
his shape or his health. At one time,
l believe, he drank badly. and of late
years has seemed to grow rather fool
ish. But his old mother still thinks
him the best boy in the world"
BY the time Paul had heard this
much of Johnny's story they had
reached the house. This was not Doc
tor Dudlcy's first visit to them in sick
ness. and the old mother welcomed
him with grateful tears. He examined
his patient. gave him an anodyne, and
said he would return again before bed
time.
Paul found Ned working out his re-
pentant shame at the wood-pile, and
repeated the story he had heard.
1--WE never thought of Johnny Shay
as hero. did we. NedP" he 81 d.
''Why didn't somebody tell us SO
long ago. l wonder?" exclaimed Ned,
who was very fond of heroes.
As soon rs Doctor Dudley's visit was
finished. he slowed both boys in his
cutter and drove away.
Father" said Paul. with some hcsi-
tation. I'm afraid they haven't any
thing TO eat there. wish I'd saved my
ginger-snaps."
Cant we buy something's" sug-
gcsted Ned.
II was waiting to hear from you
boys. Now. if you could walk
all the way out to Johnny Shay's
to carry a comic Valentine. !
wonder how hard task it would
be to take some meat for broth. and
some tea and sugar. and other things,
to tho old mother?"
Both boys expressed their delight at
being allowed to go back on this bet
ter errand:
II have to change my horse. and go
into the country some distance. but
shall be back in time to see Johnny
again tonight. He is very sick. You
may go to the grocer's and order what
ever you are willing to carry out there.
Get two pounds of round steak. for
beef-tea. first. and then use your judg-
ment about the other things"
Here were motive and spirit very diff
fcrent from those of the first trip
IL can't very we'll send these things
out tonight" Ike grocer said. as he
did up package after package for the
boys.
xviii morning do?'
mo. sir" answered Paul. 1--WE
were to order only what we were will
ing to carry. Go ahead. We can haul
more than that. can't we. Ned?"
YES" replied Ned. heartily.
LETS see! We've got tea, sugar.
coffee. pepper. crackers. butter and"
1--WE haven't any flour yet or pota-
toes.
They looked at each other as much as
to say potatoes would be a pretty big
load to gut up that hill.
..Put 'em in," said Paul. "Tm good
for it"
The grocer loaned them large basket
and suggested that, as potatoes and
-four were bulky and heavy. five
pounds Of each might do. To this they
agreed.
Put in some kerosene. May be she
hasn't any light to watch by
The grocer suggested candles in
stead.
':All ri:ht-candles. then. And there
ought to DO apples. and
1.-The basket Is quite as full as you
can carry now" the grocer laughed.
'.Wait till some other time"
1t was dark when they started. and
darker still when they entered on that
lonely road. They changed hands
often. and yet their arms ached as they
pulled and toiied along.
Doctor Dudley had promised to let
the people ut home know that the boys
would probably be late. and 50 they