The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-08-07


load of coal.
What had become of the "yellow
wheels?" Since that day he had never
laid eyes on the man or on the wheels.
1t had worried Joe, it seemed to gnaw
mind had been very soon made up to
tell him how sorry he was and pay
him for the damage.
"What are you doing, Joe?n said the
little woman, as Joe the next morning
d" fixed himself up" and put on his
Sunday clothes.
/" i amt going to work to-day" said
Joe. "I've got business down town."
And down town he went.
The little woman asked no questions.
She couldn't help looking over to the
little corner lot. Il wish we had
enough money" she sighed.
"26 Water street, Here's the place."
said Joe to himself. Elmville Manu-
featuring Co., j. Johnson, Treas
urer." And up the stairs, two at a
time, he went The office staggered
Joe. Clerks to the right of him, clerks
to the left of him, and high railing to
keep out" common folks like himself.
Joe remembered that in the army
privates uncovered their heads when
they came into officers quarters, and
off went his shabby hat. Can l see
Mr. Johnson" he asked, looking at all
the clerks in turn.
He is busy just now" answered a
little man, peering over his big books.
Take a seat, and when he's at liberty
I'll tell him."
1t seemed hours to Joe, and the
perspiraton stood in great beads over
his face. Now" said the man,
"come on, you can 90 in; " aud open
ing a door into an inner office, he ush-
cred in Joe.
But one quick look was enough for
him; there, seated at his desk and
facing Joe, sat the man with the "yel-
low wheels"
Come in" said the man, kindly, but
Joe fairly grasped the door-knob for
support. What can l do for your"
Don't you know me?" gasped Joe.
l." | am sorry to say | do not" re-
piled the man.
CLOVIS them wheels?" moaned Joe
them yaller wheels / mashed up on
the avenue, and the hat?"
"Oh, are you the man?" inquired the
other.
g lCdS the man, but l amt no more,
you bet, and if you'll tell me what
the damage I'd like to settle"
And you've come down for that?'
asked his enemy.
Oh, mol" said Joe, conscious that
he hadn't cent in his pockets. I've
most forgot what have come for, see-
ing as it's you" You could have over
turned Joe with a feather, and the man
with the yellow wheels " wore a
puzzled sort of look.
see," said the man, getting up
from his desk "but it seems to me
you're little late. | had almost for
gotten the whole thing; in fact, you
not only made my wheels look pretty
badly, but you spoiled my hat and you
upset me for long time"
Good Lord" said Joe, g didn't
see you spilled out"
&c was only mentally upset." re.
very strong, and used to drive for eX.
ercise. If | had your physique would
have annihilated you then and there
" If you'd a'had to pay for my 'phy
sique, said Joe, thinking of all the
DOCTORS bills and the patent medicines
he had bought for the little woman
"if you'd a-had to pay them bills yor
wouldn't wantmy physique ,; although
it's the woman as doses, not me-" he
continued.
Something about Joe interested the
man. He looked at him and at his
watch, and, coming close to Joe, he sa
| down beside him. "Tell me-" he be
gan, "tell me what brought you here
And Joe began stammeringly, halt.
| ingly at first, but growing more and
more eloquent, more and more earnes
as he went on, the sad, white face OF
the little woman peering into hi:
thoughts and into his words, as If she
stood beside him. And he told the
hOmely story of his life.
" | hdted them wheels!n said Joe
GIVE told you all. We're poor; She,
always a-wishing for that corner lot; she
always says if she could have it she'd
just live and be well; and every time
had sort of IA talk with her, every time
she'd sorter wish for that lot. 1t brok,
me all up; I'd 90 out, and ollus, 0lluS, ,
SAID Joe, meet you and them wheels
them yaller wheels. And somehow
thought it was them wheels that was
running over me, was travelling up and
down my life all the time. didn't know
who to hate, or what to hate, because
didn't get nowhere, and you cam,
the highest; you were the handiest
and so | hated you and them wheels
Amt there no yaller wheels in your
life, mister? Be the only man tina
hates something that he sees every da,
and never can have?" asked Joe.
ooh, mol" said the man, soberl,
and kindly; "you are not the only man
Into my life-yes, into every ones life
my friend-come yellow wheels >; anC
for moment the rich man and thu
poor man met on equal terms.
You want to buy that lot, do you?'
he inquired. "And have you none,
enough to do it? Watt" he said, Z"
have plan" And then he told Jo'
that he wanted some one to make be
ginning on the property. Joe coulC
buy the lot, and pay for it as he wa
able. He would lend him the none,
to build his house; he wouldn't ever
| take a mOrtUaoe. he would take his