The rustler., 1891-12-25

rErE WAS STOPPING OVER SONNY.
near with the ''readin' books that
Pete regarded with such awe.
SO the days went ON. peggiug days
for Pete as he worked and thought
of Sonny's chance in cropping way.
Capering days for Sonny filed with
happiness, red bali and the new
"readin' books. "
When Sonny was eight years old he
pranced into the shop one day in early
spring where Pete sat at work.
Pete looked up and smiled at Sonny
and Sonny smiled back at Pete,
Then Sonny put his wonderful readin'
book, away and picked up the red
leather ball.
/ A few minutes later he had marsh
aled his baseball nine ON the green
where dad kin see Us" he said
As Pete pegged away he heard the
shouts and commands To the imaginary
eight. The game progressed to fever
heat Of excitement
Sonny, with upturned, eager blue
eyes and flying feet, was speeding
across the green to catch the ball.
| Suddenly his foot struck stone that
was frozen into the ground. lie fell
with heavy thud
The sudden silence outside caused
Pete to look up from his work. Then
he hastily laid down the unfinished
shoe.
Soon he was STOPPING over Sonny,
who lay with closed eyes and the red
ball held fast in one small hand.
At last Sonny slowly opened his eyes
and looked into the face SO near his
OWE.
lie tried to smile little as he
said: "Suthin cracked in here, daddy.
heerd it crack Jest here, pointing to
his hip
For answer Pete smcothed back
Sonny's hair gently and said: Dad
dy'll fix it for ye, Sonny. Daddy'll fix
tiff he kim"
Sonny smiled family again and
closed his eyes
Pete carried the child into the house.
Very carefully he laid him down on the
bed in the diving" room Then he
hurried mp the street to see about
Sonny's chance.
Pete walked on till he came to a
sign that was taking n swing in the
spring breeze while il told the public
that this was the Office of one ). L.
Gilbert, NJ. ID.
There was no one in the office, so
Pete sat down patiently TO wait
On the table lay an open telegram.
II was dated Chicago, and read;
TO DR. :. L. Gilbert: Come ut once
Maurice is dying
EtIZABErH G. PORTER.
DIR Gilbert, coming in from one @ :
his patients, had picked up the tel
egram. When he had read it he said:
Poor st ter! | must go to her"
So he Lad gone that day to Chicago
When IT Gilbert reached his sisters
home he found that there was no hope
for the boys life.
The child died.
The next day the doctor returned to
his patients.
He found scrawled on his order slate;
"Kum ter suny at Pete ?cculiars."
The doctor inquired the way and
went.
Soon he was following Pete through
the shop TO the bed in the corner.
Sonny smiled up at them as he lay with
white face and patient eyes.
Soimy's smile was so like Petes.
The doctor looked grave when he
heard pete's story
After long weeks of patient uncom-
planning little Sonny and pegging
Pete, the doctor said the child could
try to use his leg.
Then Pete smiled more hopefully.
lie began to sit up nights working
away Mt something made of wood and
leather.
; They were clumsy little erutches that
Pete made for Sonny But Pete had
said gently as he smoothed Sonny's hair;
''Daddyll fix 'em fer ye," and Sonny
had smiled and waited.
So to Sonny they were all that n pair
of crutehes could be.
1t was on Christmas eve that Pete
. put the last touches to them. So the
next day there was u merry time al
Petes. for Sonny and Pete were fond
of "kelebratin" as they always oulled
! it ut Christmas time.
The widow said: "Thats jest like
them Pecoolyurs. Who ever heerd tell
of sskilebratin'' at Krissmus an havin
fire-crackers too. Pecoolyur by name
an natur say
For two years the sound Of sonnv's