The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1890-07-25

many another foolish young fellow,
l had married anice girl when scarce
ly able to keep myself comfortably,
and the tiny. olive branches had a
dreadful way, sweet as they were, OF
appearing all too frequently for a
poor man. I'm not saying, mind
you, that I've ever regretted my
marriage or been willing to spare
one of the boys and girls now grow
ing up SO fast around me; but money
was very scarce in those days, and a
thousand dollars seemed too much
to let go without some effort to earn
it.
did a lot of hard thinking for a
few days and spent all my spare
time over some old books
In a musty, out of the
way library down town. l finally
told Frank that l would see what
could be done if he would give $500,
the rest if succeeded in the under
taking. He agreed at once, so [ put
a carefully worded want" in the
Herald, offering 5000 for a bit of
scalp from the head of a healthy per-
son, a young woman preferred, and
naming an hour for applicants to
call at my office.
Well, l had "a good many answers,
in person and by letter. The letters
l paid no attention to, and those
who called did not suit, until l be-
gan to think 1 would have a good
Hoa1 Of trorb1o IN Rp1 fbo r;nb& NOV
son, when my small boy of all work
ushered in a young lady. l knew
she was young, though she was
heavily yelled, by her slight, girlish
figure and low, sweet, tremulous
voice. Her dress was neat and plain
and fitted exquisitely. Her gloves
and boots were not new, but they
were the gloves and boots of
q lady. Wavy dark brown
hair was worn in a heavy coil be-
meath a little round hat, and 1
thought "Here's the very girl at
last!!"
| questioned her closely, and ex-
planned to her more fully than to the
Others just what l wanted. She was
nervous, as was quite natural, but
had evidently made up her mind to
win the 5000 if possible. She was
perfectly healthy, shesaid, and so far
as she knew, came ofhealthy parents.
Her father was dead. Her mother
was usually quite well, though not
very strong. She was just now suf-
fering from injuries received in q fall
or the stairs.
"The doctor says" the young Ia
dy went on, chat my mother will
soon be as well as ever, but we need
money very badly at present. On ac-
count OF my mothers illness l lost
my position in-that is, l am
out of employment. and as I am the
bread winner for our family l am
willing to do anything honorable
that will not injure my health to
earn money. must stipulate that
face shall remain covered, and
that nc effort will be made by any
one to discover my Identity"
Can you endure the operation
without the aid of an anasthetic?"
l asked, "You must know thatyour
confidence is sacred"
But, no. She insisted that her
nerves we're strong enough to endure
the ordeal, SO 1 appointed an hour
next day for the operation, and
bowed her out. I then rushed off to
inform Frank of my success. He
charmed with my description of
the girl and delighted with her pluck.
"Give her $780," he said, whether
the operation is successful or not.
She is a brave girl to do such athing
for her family. Great, hulking boys,
no doubt, some of them. Now l
haven't much family, but lam sure I
wouldn't part with any of my scalp
for all of my relatives in a heap"
The young lady was promptness
had just shown her into an
inner room when Frank arrived.
After the operation I sent him away
first, and then put her into a cab,
care to withdraw before she
gave the driver his orders.
No. I'm not going to tell you
how I transplanted two bits OF scalp
from the back of the girls head to
the lip of the young man. I have
never told any one how it was done,
but it was q success.
The young couple were a brave as
possible. The girl lay face down up
on a lounge, her luxuriant, wavy
hair streaming around her. l could
not but admire the dainty shape of
her head and the pretty neck, with
tiny rings of hair curling down upon
it. Just below one shell-like ear a
small star shaped spot showed white
upon the now rosy skin. 1t would
probably not be noticeable usually.
The young lady came to my office
Tor some days until the wounds were
quite healed. As she was young and
it did not take long, but /
never got a glimpse of her face, nor
lid l try to do SO, having too much
for the courageous creature.
When | handed her $500 instead of
5000 she had expected she was quite
with joy. Her voice was