Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-12-18

your asked the smiling surgeon.
mo. SIR"
The emphasis was heavy on the last
word. The brown eyes frightened
like stars. and the wan little face took
on the color of life in a moment and
was glorifled with smiles OF JOY.
Il don't know how TO thank you
never. as you ought to be. l wonder
if it's sign I'm a fool. / want to
cry. I'm full up to here. and the hoy
| put his well hand up to his throat
while tears rolled silently down his
pale cheeks.
Other eyes looked as though they
wanted to cry too. till the surgeon
said, You have some good friends
my boy. A capitalist a doctor and a
surgeon. We will stand by you
through life only let us see that you
are noble, good and true in all things"
III be all that. l gave the prom
Use to mother before she died. and l
can't break ii, never!"
When the surgeon again visited his
patient he found the boy much better.
He smiled when Sydney asked for n
pencil and paper. that he might make
pictures of the cattle and sheep he
was going to have on his farm. but the
one hand could not do much so il was
abandoned. and he would lie and think
! of the good which was to come to him
in the near future
Can | have the children termor-
rerP' was the almost daily Cry of the
loving heart of the boy whenever he
got sight of the surgeon in the morn
ing.
The change had been TO great from
active outdoor life, so the capitalist
took him in his elegant carriage with
his wife and child. for short drives,
and then it was not long before he
could hobble on crutches, but the cry
was even more pitiful. If possible:
MAY have the children termorrer?"
Yes" said the surgeon at last as
he came in one morning with the
capitalist, while tho doctor was at the
bedside trying to keep up the courage
of the anxious little patient. Your
home is ready for you, all furnished.
1t is in better locality. where you
can sell papers without going so far
when you are able to take up your Old
business, if you like that better than
any other. But it will be two or three
weeks yet before your strength is suf-
iicient for the undertaking. IL will
not do to begin too soon ana put you
back.
Never had the great surgeon of b
hospital looked so noble as when he
came in with the motheress baby in
his arms. and trembling boy clinging
to the hand at his side. In the blue
eyes OF the baby he saw his own little
one. that all his skill could not save
when diphtheria stalked through the
land. He wanted TO adopt the chill
dren, but Sydney was firm in his over
mastering desire for a farm. so it rested
at that.
When the surgeon went himself for
the children. there was some holding
back about giving them up. Excuses
were made, and it was said that the
committee would have TO meet and de-
eide the matter but the surgeon was
imperative.
The children were left by the dying
mother, in the boys care so he argued.
and the patient had need of them TO
make sure his recovery, and so the
point was gained, though with no very
good grace
The man OF wealth and position was
by the side of the boy when the chill
dren were brought in. The cry from
his lips once heard could never be for
gotten. With emotion he saw the
eager clasp OF the thin arms around
the baby's chubby form. and the
passionate kisses while little Dick
laid his head on his brothers shoulder
and sobbed convulsively
Suddenly the head OF the young
hero was drawn back with the cry.
They have cut Off her beautiful curls!"
And he looked ruefully at the pretty
head lying on his bosom.
Never mind" said the surgeon
soothingly. They will soon grow
out again. See the little rings clus-
tering around her forehead
She had red dress on, and didn't
look like this" was the grieved re-
joinder
She shall have red dress this very
day" replied the capitalist MY
wife is going to make her num-
Der of presents, and will look
after her clothing, and all such mat
tiers, If you will permit her to do so.
A woman who lives on the same floor
where your home is to be will see to
her baths, and will do what you can
not so well do as woman can But
you can live in your own little rooms
as before, if you like that best. and
no one shall trouble you"
We do! Oh, we do" said both
boys eagerly, and again the children
were Rugged and kissed with hungry
longing. IL used TO cook and do the
homework to give mother time to
sew. so it comes handy ever since"
Sydney fastened to add as If fearing
they would doubt his ability TO keep
house and provide for the children.
Tears came into older eyes, as the
little convalescent gave way at last,