Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-10-02

ut would cheer her up" continued
the doctor, Through the coming
winter to think about it, and you could
have her in it by fall. "
II will try said Joe. 1--WE got a
little left from my bounty and my pay
that l never touched, and she don't
know about. We might" he said,
do it together;" and he climbed up to
his high seat and started off with his
load Of coal.
What had become OF the ''yellow
wheelsp" Since that day he had never
laid eyes on the man, or on the wheels.
1t had worried Joe, it seemed to gnaw
at his hard, unfeeling heart, and his
mind had been very soon made up to
tell him how sorry he was, and pay
him for the damage.
what are you doing, Joepn said the
little woman. as Joe the next morn
ing fixed himself up" and put on his
Sunday clothes.
81 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. II wish we had
enough money! she sighed.
100 Water street! Here's the place, I"
said Joe to himself. "Elmville Manu-
featuring Company, 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 him
self. Joe remembered that in the army
privates uncovered their heads when
they came into officers quarters, and
off went his shabby hat. "Can | 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."
It seemed hours to Joe, and the
Precipitation stood in great beads over
his face. Now" said the man, "come
on, you can go i'm" 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 "yel-
low wheels"
"Come in," said the man, kindly;
but Joe fairly grasped the door-knob
for support. What can do for youP"
Don't you know me?" gasped Joe.
81 am sorry to say l do not" replied
the man.
"How's them wheelsp" moaned Joe;
'them yaller wheels mashed up on
the avenue, and the hatp"
'Oh, are yow the MANI" inquired
the other.
IL Vas the man, but amt no more,
you bet; and If you'll tell me what's
the damage I'd like to SETTLE"
"And you've come down for thatP"
asked his enemy.
"Oh, mol" said Joe, conscious that
he hadn't cent in his pockets. I've
most forgot what l have come for,
seeing as it's YOU" You could have
overturned Joe with 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 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, II didn't
see you spilled out"
II was only mentally upset." re-
joined his enemy II haven't been
very strong, and used to drive for
exercise. II I had your physique l
would have annihilated you, then and
there"
IF 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;' al
though it's the woman as does, not
me-" he continued
Something about Joe interested the
man. He looked at him and at his
watch, and, coming close to Joe, he
sat down beside him. Tell me-" he
began-'tell me what brought you
hsre."
And Joe began stammeringly, halt
ingly at first, but growing more and
more eloquent, more and more earnest
us he went on, the sad, white face of
the little woman peering into his
thoughts and into his words, as if she
stood beside him. Aud he told the
homely story OF his life.
II hated them wheelsl' said Joe.
"Tve told you all. We're poor; she's
always a-wishing for that corner lot;
she always says, If she could have it
she'd just live and be we'll; and every
time [ had sort of talk with her,
every time she'd softer wish for that
lot, and broke me all up, I'd go out
and alias, allus," said Joe, meet
you, and them wheels, them yal-
Ter wheels. And somehow
thought IL was them wheels that was
a-running over me, was a-travel-
ing up and down my life all the time.
I didn't know who to hate, or what, to
hate, because / didn't get nowhere,
and you came the highest; you were
the handiest. and so hated you and
them wheels. Amt there no yaller
wheels In your life. misterp Be | the
only man that hates something that he
sees every day and never can haveP"
asked Joe.
"Oh, nor said the man, soberly
and kindly; 'you are not The only
man. Into my life; yes, into every
ones life, my friend, come yellow
wheels" and for moment the rich
man and the poor man met ON equal