West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-08-29


all other thoughts for the time, but the
haul was still long oee, the sun very
warm, the horses tired and hstless, and
Joe began TO wonder II, after all, he
hadn't made fool of himself to saw the
leastG What would the tired little wo-
man say who never had heard of those
yellow wheels, IL he should tell her
what ne had donel And then he wished
his favorite wish. that he had never been
born
you must get her out of this" said
the doStor to Joe. 'She tells me she
has few hundred dollars saved up in
the bank, and she longs for little home
of her own. Stairs are killing things
tor women. Can't you buy a lot and
build little house for herr / sec that
there are some lots for sale over there, A"
and the doctor pointed to the corner lot
that the little woman had looked upon so
wistfully, where, from her dingy attic
windows, she could see a few stuntcd
willow trees wave in the summer breeze.
ut would cheer her up continued
the doctor, Through the coming winter
to think about it, and you could have her
in il by next fall"
81 will try" said Joe. "I've got a
little left from my bounty aud nv pay
that l never touched, and she don't know
about. We might, he said, "do il to-
gether;" and he climbed up his high seat
and started of with his load of coal.
What had become Of the "yellow
wheelsg" Since that day he had never laid
eyes on the man, or ON the wheels 1t
had worried Joe, it seemed 10 gnaw at
his hard, unfeeling heart, aud his mind
had been very soon made up TO tell him
how sorry he was, and pay him fer the
damage.
"What are you doing, Joe!" said the
little woman, as Joe the next morning
''fixed himself up, and put on his Sun
day clothes.
II amt going to work today" said
Joe. GIVE got business down town. 4"
And down town ne went.
The little woman asked no questions,
she couldn't help looking over to the
little corner lot. 81 wish we had enough
money!" she sighed.
1926 Water street, Here's the place. s"
said Joe to himself "Elmville Manu-
featuring Co., J. Johnson, Treasurer. "
And up the stairs, two at a time, he
went. The Office staggered Joe. Clerks
20 the right of him, clerks to the left of
him, and a high railing to keep out
common folks" like himself. Joe re-
membered that in the army privates un-
covered their heads when they came into
officers quarters, and off went his shabby
hat. "Can see Mr. Johnson2" he
asked, looking at all the clerks in turn.
''He is busy just now" answered lit
tie man. peering over his big books.
Take seat, and when he's at liberty
I'll tell him"
1t seemed hours 10 Joe and the per-
spiration stood in great beads over his
face.
Now" said the man, ''come on, you
can go in;" and opening a door into an
inner Office he ushered in Joe.
But one quick look was enough for
him; there, seated at his desk and facing
Joe, sat the man with the "yellow
wheels"
"Come in, said the man kindly; but
Joe fairly grasped the door knob for
support. ''What can I do for you1"
''Don't you know me2'' gasped Joe.
81 am sorry to soy do not, replied
the man.
"How's them wheels7" moaned Joe
'them yeller wheels mashed up on the
avenue, and the hat2"
"oh, are you the man7' inquired the
other.
''I was the man, but amt no more.
you bet; and if you'll tell me what's the
damage I'd like 10 settle"
''And you've come down for thatl''
asked his enemy.
ooh, noW said Joe, conscious that he
hadn't a cent in his pockets. owe most
forgot what have come for, seeing as It's
you" You could have overturned Joe
with a feather and the man with the
''yellow wheels wore a puzzled sort Of
look.
II see, said the man, getting up from
his desk; ''but il seems 10 me you're a
little late had almost forgotten the
whole thing; in fact, you not only made
my wheels look pretty badly, but you
spoiled my hat and you upset me for a
long time"
GOOD Lordi" said Joe, .I didn't sec
You spilled out 4"
81 was only mentally upset. rejoined
his enemy. az haven't been very strong,
and used 20 drive for exercise. II had
your physique ] would have annihilated
you, then and there"
81 II you'd a-had TO pay for my ply
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 you
wouldn't want my physique altho' it's
the woman as doses, not me, " he con
tinucd.
Something about Joe interested the
man. Hc looked at him and 90 his
watch, and, coming close 90 Joe, he sat
down beside him. "Toll me " he began
-'tell me what brought you here
And Joe began stammeringly, haltingly
at first, but growing more and more elo-