The Russellville Democrat., 1889-03-07
LITTLE BOW-LEGS.
How He Repaid the Doctor for His
 Kindness.

IT certainty was 8 Qfed4lul uAE lOF the middle Of March; the sleet was be- ing driven in clouds along the streets by a keen east wind and roads and pavements were deep in slush. Nurse Grant paused just within the threshold of & small house in Old Road, Stepney, to unfurl her umbrella and gather up her skirts. T will call again this evening. Mrs Evans; but l think the danger is past for the present, and you need not be uneasy
 Thank you, nuss. I'm sure. Please God. things will go better now
 Well, really think she is around the corner; but be sure she takes plenty of nourishment. Good morn- ing"
 "Oh. nuss, nearly forgot, so l did! Will you just call at No 9 and see Lit tie Bow-legs2"
 The nurse nodded; she was already out in the street, and the wind would have drowned any verbal reply. Her black vail was blown across her face, her umbrella creaked with the strain upon it, and nurse gave a little shiver as she hurried along pushed on by the wind as by unseen hands. When she reached No. 9. she gave sharp, double rap at the knocker, and then watched grating in the pavement to the left. 4 face appeared below it presently, and nurse nodded; moment later the door swung open, and nurse dived into the welcome shelter
 'Very dark down stairs to-day, isn't it. Miss Moses?"
 1t is so, nurse; but I'm glad all the rooms are let
 "Id rather have one upstairs room unlet, think, and get more light and air. l wonder 1 don't have you for Q patient. living in a cellar like that, and nurse shook her head severely and began to climb the stairs. On the sec ond landing she opened a door and en- tered a low room lit by one small dirty window. There was a bed in one cor ner of the room. and large table coy- cred with erockery, sewing materials, papers, etc, stood in the middle. The walls were hung with bird-cages of every description, some wretched little wooden things, others nice, large breeding-cages, and all occupied by birds, who were huttering and singing, and filling the room with noise. Sev- eral strings Were stretched across the ceiling, from which damp garments were hung; and diving under these, nurse reached the fireplace, before which a small boy was sitting. He had not heard her enter because of the birds; but directly he saw her he got up from the floor, and seizing various rags, threw them over the cages from which the loudest songs were trilling, and then pushed forward a chair and said: "Sit down. He was a boy of about seven, with q well-shaped head and clear, pale complexion; on his lace was a grave expression, as of one weighed down by weary experiences.
 He is very ill. nurse. Do you think ne can live? He is to be my very own If he does" and he held up a wretched- looking canary he had been cuddling under his coat.
 1t looks very i'll, Jim, Has it caught cold?''
 II b'lieve so. He used to sing beau dful, better nor all the others put to- gether, and now l think he'll die
 T hope not. But you didn't send for me to sec the canary, did you?"
 No, nurse" The boy paused and covered up his bird. Il want to go to the 'orspital
 I'm afraid dear boy, they can't do any thing for you there
 "Oh yes, they can; they can do most any thing. Do take me. :"
 But, Jim, it would be horrid op- eration, and you would have to stay in bed for weeks"
 T don't care; don't care for nunln. SO as to be like other boys. Now, cant run, but I tumbles down, and they shouts after me everywhere: There goes Little Bow-legs?' The boys voice quivered, and nurse looked distressed
 Just then the door opened, and a woman came in with black bundle in her arms Bless me nurse, is that you2 Sure you are good to that boy dunno what he would do without the books you lend him, for he can't play like other boys
 "Is that work, Mrs Millan2 How are you getting on?'
 The woman uupinned the black bun de and threw it on the bed Flannel trousers, nurse. A nice job to do in a muck of room like this They birds sprinkle dirty water over every thing "
 Better than mo work; and the birds paid the doctors bill last year.
 That's true too How's Betty Evans2
 "She is much better to-day About this boy of yours Mrs Milan; he says he wants to go to the hospital 10 see if they can straighten his legs. What do you wish2'
 Wish l wish I'd never married his father He's got his fathers legs, and hell get his fathers temper soon, specs"
 "I don't know any thing about his father; but think Jim is the best and most intelligent boy of his age that know Do you wish him to go to the hospital?'
 "As he likes. replied Mrs. Milan, carelessly. "I don't believe nothing will make those legs straight Taini as though it were an accident. it rum. in the family.
 If any thing could be done it would