The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-08-13

A1uer supper, cnlrIey went 10 the
market and filed basket with fresh,
ripe fruit; then he hurried off to atone
for his neglect.
'Poor Everett" he thought, ''sick
and cooped up in the city, while am
going of for month in the mountains,
and here forgot all about him. How
selfish people are, anyway"
By and by, he climbed three fights of
stairs to close little fiat where Mrs.
Harris and her SON lived. Yes, it pas
bad there for a sick man, Shirley
thought-bad enough for a well one
this hot weather, there was no doubt of
it-and once more he thought of the
cool mountains and Of the dashing river
where he.was going.
Everett was overjoyed to see him,
end the tender-hearted fellow choked a
little as he thanked him for the fruit.
Shirley sat down by him and felt re-
morseful They talked Of matters at
the store, and the spirits of both rose
as Shirley told some amusing things
that had happened lately.
"You know young Bridges is doing
your work. he said, laughing.
"Yes, You told me-" replied Everett.
with little sigh.
well, he doesn't like it very well,
but his father wouldn't get any body in
your place. He said Charlie could Just
as well do II sill you came back. He
had lots of trouble at frst, but gets
along pretty well now. He's not a bad
fellow, either, but an awful dandy
wears a silk hat and patent feathers"
Eyes, know; and recollect once he
fell down in the mud and came into the
Office nearly crying"
"Yes-well-and you know big
Roger. the drayman?"
'Oh, yes; Roger has been to see me
twice. The last time he brought me a
sausage over a foot long. His wife
made it, and thought it would do me
good"
Shirley laughed at the idea of saus-
ages for sick diet till the tears came.
81 suppose you ate the sausage" he
said, at last.
mo, I'm keeping it for next winter"
But l was going to tell you about
Charlie Bridges" said Shirley. "The
other evening Roger was waiting for him
to make out some shipping receipts,
and went over in the corner where
it's rather dark, you know, to sit down
on the stool there. Well, just as he
pumped himself down, he felt some
thing pop and squash under him, and
jumped up like he was shot. 1t was
Charles silk hat. Everybody laughed
except Roger and Charlie. Roger was
awful 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 arc
as good friends as ever"
Everett laughed SO heartily that no
began coughing in way that cut Shir-
ley to the heart. His mother brought
him some water, and, when his cough
was quoted, Shirley had grown grave
and silent.
what is the doctor doing Cor your"
he asked, after long pause.
s'Not much, now" said Everett, =
little sadly. HE says l need fresh alb,
most. and that, if could get strength
my cough would stop"
offered no reply.
IL must try and get back to work by
September" continued Everett. ''Just
think-I have lost eight whole months.
1t is terrible!'' And tears stood in the
poor fellows eyes.
"Where would you go for an outing,
old man?" asked Shirley, after pause.
sidered it. Almost any place in the
country where I could get away from
this smoke and have fresh air. Yes,
there is a 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 over her
sewing and did not seem to be listen
ing. II should like to go there" he
continued. at is about fifty miles
north of here, and there are nice woods
and little stream where / used to
catch perch and club. ! should like to
go there again and fish. know people
there, too, and don't believe it would
cost more than fifteen dollars a month
for board" And the sick mans eyes
shone at the thought of his old village
and the stream with its perch and club.
An hour before, Shirley would have
laughed scornfully at such sport. but
he did not laugh now. Pretty soon he
said goodnight to Everett and his
mother, and walked home under the
street lamps, thinking.
That night, when he got to his room,
he made q new calculation. 1t ran as
follows:
Three round trip tickets to Pokcville. ....s 90
Board for three one month. ................ - 90
Fish-lines and hooks for perch and chub... 90
Total 80. ~ w
Then he wrote little note which he
sealed, stamped and dropped into the
mail box on the corner. 1t said:
DEAR EVERETT:
81 am going to take q vacation in August,
and, as will want company, invite you to &C
with rae-also your mother, to take care OF us
have been saving the money for year, ant
have enough for q months trip for us all Yos
can prepare to start next week. / will come up
tomorrow night and We can talk it over.
Hastily. SHIRLEY.