San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-10

| black bottle from his hip pocket, pulled it,
! cork with his teeth and sat down again
Taking the little girl in his arms he gently
forced the mouth of the flask between hel
lips. She swallowed something with a
shudder, and "Reddy" passed the bottle tc
me and pointed to the cork between his
teeth. understood him. Then he took
up one of the dryest coats and wrapped il
about the child as she lay in his arms
She'll be all right now," he said
just then the MOllie rubbed against the
wharf boat, and a white faced woman ran
toward us, followed by half dozen men,
the foremost of whom was her husband
"My child! My Milliel Where is sne?"
''She is here, and is uninjured, Mrs.
Simpson," said several at once.
Freddy" arose easily, and without say
ing word gently laid little Mile in her
mothers arms. Then he stopped, picked
something from the ground and hurriedly
thrust it inside his shirt. alone observed
this movement as handed him his bottle,
saying, "You had better take some of this
stuff yourself, old man"
mot now" he replied, and put the bot
tie in his pocket. As he turned to move
away Mr.. Simpson came up to him, and
speaking with considerable emotion said:
My good man, am your debtor for
more than | can ever pay. What can
say. What can | do to in part show how
deeply grateful | amp"
"Nothingr' answered "Reddy'' rather
GROSSLY, and without changing his position.
But, sir, insist. You do not look like
one who has all he could use of this worlds
goods. | hope You will accept 4 small
token OF my gratitude" and Mr. simpson
took from his wallet a twenty-Collar bill
and held it out.
"Tll take nothing from you. As you
say, am not Overburdened with worldly
goods, and I've seen the time-and not long
ago-when didn't have cent and was
hungry; hut | don't want any of your
money. I'd advise you TO take that saw
buck and buy new padlocks for the Gala
boose with it,"
Freddy turned, and the man who had
treated q" Iingly twenty-four
hours BEL saw 10 whom he was in
debted for saving his child's life. His face
flushed and he looked very uncomfortable,
but he said:
81 was hasty yesterday, my good man,
and ask your forgiveness. promise you
that no man shall again be turned away
from my door hungry. Pardon the wrong
did you, and accept something from me
for the service you have done me and mine
today"
mo-" said Freddy" in softer tone than
his former abrupt refusal. I'm willing
to call it even, and let bygenes be bygones,
but all the reward want for bringing the
little girl out I've got here" and he placed
his hand upon his breast.
Every one present, excepting myself,
thought be referred only to a conscious.
ness of duty done: but / had not forgot
ten his act of secreting something between
his shirt and that breast as l stepped up
to return his flask. knew his words had
other meaning. He went over to the
wharf boat, picked up his coat, and put,
ting it on as he walked, passed up the
levee toward the business part of town.
Mr.. Simpson, with a grieved look on his
face, turned away and joined his wife and
friends. Mile was smiling as she lay in
her mothers arms. She needed only dry
clothing and little care, to avoid a cold,
to be in a few hours as well as she ever
was The trip up the river had been aban-
doned for that day, so far as the Simpson
family was concerned. The little girls
hat, shoes and other articles of apparel
which had been removed were gathered
up, all but one little stocking. That could
not be found, l knew where it was; and
so did 'Reddy;" but / kept his secret-at
least until after he had left town.
The Mollie had once more started up the
stream, but there was no singing this
time. The superstitious darkies were
dumb for the time being. In a few min
utes all the women and most of the men
had left the wharf About score of young
men still fingered near the old dock talk
ing. One of them, who had overheard the
conversation between Mr.. Simpson and
Freddy" asked if any one knew the mean
ing of it. / gave partial explanation,
and then it was proposed that we make up
purse right there for the brave fellow.
A collection was at once taken, and sum
which more than equaled Mr.. Simpsons
''sawbuck" was the result.
We hurried off to find our man, and sooD
learned that he had gone into Steve's
Yes, there he was-in the kitchen, sitting
as close as he could get to the big cook
stove, and steaming like a Broadway man
hole with the cover off.
Morgan" said, 81 have given your ad-
mirers here an idea of why you refused to
accept anything from Mr.. Simpson, and
they have made up this little purse for
you, and we all hope you will accept it,"
you heard me say l didn't want to be
paid for what any square man who could
swim would do"
Eyes, we heard you; but listen to me"
and stepped close to him and whispered,
II know what you've got inside your shirt;
saw you pick it up. Shall tell the boys
or will you take the purse?"
He put one hand over my mouth, and
jumping quickly to his feet said:
Friends, I'll take it. | still think you
overestimate what l did, but you mean
we'll and like you for it. If didn't have
to be continually travelling on account of