Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-02-10

near enough to draw him out and was
himself finally dragged from tho icy
river with n broken leg and other in:
juries. In leaping into tho water he
had struck n splintcrcd tree-trunk,
sunk In the bottom of the stream. The
prolonged chill resulted in partial
paralysis. lie 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 tho time Paul had heard this
much of Johnny's story they had
reached the house. This was not Doc
tor Dudley'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-pilc, and
repeated the story he had heard.
1--WE never thought of johnny Shay
as hero, did we, Ncd?" he SAID.
"Why didn't somebody tell MS SO
long ago, wondorp" exclaimed Ned,
who was very-fond of heroes.
As soon as 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 somethingp" sug-
gcstcd Ned.
II was waiting to hear from you
boys. Now, if you could walk
all the way out to johnny Shay's
to carry comic Valentine, 1
wonder how hard task it would
be to take some meat for broth, and
some tea and sugar, and other things,
to the old motherp"
Both boys expressed their delight at
being allowed to go back on this bet
ter errand.
"I have 10 change my horse, and go
into the country some distance, hut
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
bcef-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.
~ can't very we'll send these things
out tonight" the grocer said, as he
did up package after package for the
boys.
"Will 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 pretty big
load to get up that hill.
"Put 'em in" said Paul "rm good
for it,"
The grocer loaned them large basket
and suggested that, as potatoes and
flour We're 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 right-candles, then. And there
ought to be apples, and
THE basket Is quite as full rs you
can carry now," the grocer laughed.
Nv ait 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 toilcd along.
Doctor Dudley had promised to let
the people Mt home know that the boys
would probably be late, and SO they
had no uneasiness on that score.
When they set their basket down on
Johnnys humble door stone and
knocked, it was with no sense of shame
nor regret, but of gladness and pride.
They found Johnny had fallen
asleep under the influence of
the anodyne, and they lighted
one of their own candles and
helped Mrs. Shay put away the things
in their proper places. She made her.
self cup of tea at once, and invited
them to eat with her; but sley declined.
they were nearly famished.
After they had said goodnight, they
stopped outside moment to watch her
through the window getting the beef
over for broth. so busy and comfortable.
This was not the last visit Paul and
Ned paid to Johnny's home. As he
gradually grew better, and began to
get about, they spent hours with him,
for they had never found comrade so
full of devices and ingenuity as he. He
could whittle out all sorts of mimic
make traps and toys of all
kinds. play with wonderful sweetness
on his battered old violin, and though
foolish in many ways and easily excit-
ed, was a most entertaining compan-
ion.
As his affection for his new boy
friends increased, he grew to have
more confidence in all children, and
lost his old hunted and defiant look
and manner He was never followed
upon the streets any more and tantal-
lied, but only in the best of fellowship
and understanding.
Kindness, merely kindness, had
tho Irrnnt nhn nnn. and Inhn-