The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-12-25
PETE WAS STOPPING OVER SONNY.

Pete regarded with such awe.
So the days went on, pegging days
for Pete as he worked and thought
of Sonny's chance in a CROPPING way.
Capering days for Sonny filled with
happiness, a red ball 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 a fever
heat of excitement.
Sonny. with upturned, eager blue
eyes and flying feet, was speeding
across the green to catch the ball.
Suddenly his loot struck a stone that
was frozen into the ground. He 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
bali held fast in one small hand.
At last Sonny slowly opened his eyes
and looked into the face so near his
own.
He tried to smile a little as he
said: ''Suthin' cracked in here, daddy.
l heerd it crack Jest here" pointing to
his hip.
For answer Pete smoothed back
Sonny's hair gently and said: dad
dy'll fix it for ye, Sonny. Daddy'n 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 living room. Then he
hurried up the street to see about
Sonny's chance.
Pete walked on till he came to a
! sign that was taking a swing in the
spring breeze while it told the public
that this was the Office of one s. p.
! Gilbert, NJ. d.
| There was no one in the office, so
Pete sat down patiently to wait.
| On the table lay an open telegram.
1t was dated Chicago, and read
TO DR.. 5. p. Gilbert: Come at once
Maurice is dying.
ELIZABETH G. PORTER.
DIR. Gilbert, coming in from one of
his patients, had picked up the tel
egram. When he had read it he said:
Poor sister. must go to her.
SO he had gone that day to Chicago.
When DIR. 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 PeculiarS.'
The doctor inquired the way anG
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.
Sounys smile was so like Pete's.
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.
He began to sit up nights working
away at something made of wood and
| leather.
They were clumsy little crutches that
Pete made for Sonny. But Pete had
said gently as he smoothed Sonny's hair:
''Daddy'll fix 'eru fer ye," and Sonny
| had smned and waited.
So to Sonny they were all that pair
| of crutches could be.
1t was on a Christmas eve that Pete
put the last touches to them. So the
next day there was merry time at
Pete's, for Sonny and Pete were fond
| of "kele bratin" as they always called
it at Christmas time.
The widow said: That's jest like
them Pccoolyurs. Who ever heerd tell
of "kile bratin' at Krissmus an havin'
tire-crackers too. Pecoolyur by name
an natur l say"