The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-09-02

| Harris and her son lived. Yes. il was
lad there for a sick man, Shirley
thought-bad enough for well one this
hot weather, there was no doubt Of it
and once more he thought Of the cool
mountains and the dashing river where
| he was going.
Everett was overjoyci to see him, and
the tender-hearted fellow choked a lit
tie as he thanked him for the fruit
| Shirley sat down by him and felt re-
morscful. They talked of matters at
the store, and the spirits of both rose as
Shirley told somo amusing things that
had happened lately.
You know young Bridges is doing
-our work" he said, laughing.
Yes, you told me-" replied Everett,
with a little sigh
Well. he doesn't like il very well,
but his father wouldn't get anybody in
your place. He said Charlie could just
as we'll do it till you came back. He
had lots OF trouble at first, but gets
along pretty well now. He's not bad
follow, either. but an awful dandy
wears silk h~, and patent lesthcrs--"
"Ies, know; and recollect once
he fell down in the mud and cano into
the oSce nearly CRYING"
"Yes-ws!l-and yoa know big Roger,
.hs jrsymsa?'
"Oh, yes; E,ger has been to see mo
tvics. The last time he brought me q
ssrsaya over . foot long. His wife
made il, and thought it would do me
good"
S.irley lsughel - TIE idea Of sausage,
for si,x diet till the tears came.
" suppose you ..:e .he sausages p Ls
saii 1t last.
NO. I'm keeping it for rex. winter.
:" But was going to tell you about
Charlie Bridges" said Shirley. The
other evening Roger was waiting for
him to make ont some shipping re-
ceipts, and went over in the corner
where it's rather dark, you know, to sit
dow on the stool there. Well, just as
he pumped himself down, he felt some
thing pop up and squash under him,
and jumped up ike he was shot.
1t WAS Charles silk hat. Every body
laughed except Roger and Charlie.
Roger was swfully sorry and offered to
pay for it. while Charlie shed tears but
refused the money. The boys liked
him the better for that, and he and
Roger are as good friends As ever.
Everett lau;rhed so heartily that he
began coughing in o way that cut Shir-
ley to the heart His mother brought
him some water, and. when his cough
was quisted. Shirley had grown grave
and silent
What is the doctor doing for you"
he asked. after long pause.
Not much, now. said Everett . lit
tie sadly. He SAYS I need fresh air
most. and that if could get strength
my cough would stop"
Shirley continued to look grave, and
offered ne reply.
Il must try and get back TO work by
September. continued Everett. Just
think-I have lost eight whole months.
Il is TERRIBLE" And tears stood in the
poor fellows eyes.
Where would yeu 60 for an cutting,
old man r asked Shirley after pause.
"Oh, I don't know! haven't consid.
cred il. Almost any place in the
country where could sc. away from
this smoke and have fresh air. Yes,
there is . place" he added. Its where
we used to live before we came to the
city, and he glanced quickly at his
mother, who bent low ever her sewing
and did not seem to be listening. Il
should hike to SO there" he continued.
1t is about fifty miles north of here,
and there are nice woods and Q little
stream where used to catch perch and
chub. l ahould like TO 60 there again
and fish. / know people there, too,
and don't believe it would cost more
than SIS . month for board" And the
sick mans eyes shone at the thought Of
his old village and the stream with its
perch and chub.
An hour before S. irley would have
laughed scernfully st saeh sport, but
he did not laugh now. Pretty soon he
said goodnight to Everett and his
mother and walked home uader the
street lamps. thinking.
That night when he got TO his room
he made nev calculation. 1t ran e.
follow:
Three rousd trip tickets TO PeksviIls $50
B ard fer tsrss sae meath = .
fih hnss asa hooks for perch and club I %
Total ~ %
Then he wrote little note which he
sealed. stamped and dropped into the
mail box on the corner 1t said.
DrAR EvxnErT: Am going TO take Q vacA-
ton la Aussst And. ~ 1 Sh! want company.
iaNits roo to g wi; b re also ysur mother.
- take care Of Us. have bees ssy,as the
money fer . year. AID have sneuth Ter .
naonIa's trip fer Is a.i. You can prepare to
stsrt next week. will csns up to-niSst and
We can talk it over. Heartily,
Shirley holmes never spent a hap
pier month in his life than that which
he spent with Everett and his mother at
POkeville. Everett seemed to get bet
ter from the first day, and before the
month Was over VAS thoroughly himself
again.
Mrs. Harris visited with her old
friends, while the young men spent