Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-07-17
HIS REWARD.

DIR. Chester, hurrying along the upper
part of New York, still only half finished
and seemingly with years OF incompleteness
before it, saw ms he picked his way through
the mud of an unpared crossing sight
that made him furious. Some eight or nine
boys-not the children OF the poor, but well
dressed little fellows from the Queen Anne
residences and well appointed apartment
houses OF the neighborhood -stoning a man
who sat among the rubbish Of "a new exca-
walton abandoned for the time 10y the work
men, and who seemed 10 he quite innocent
of any offense against them. So far the
stones had been physically harmless in
suits. But even as he looked one flung by
the largest boy of the crowd struck the
man upon the head and wounded it. The
blood gushed forth and the boys, fright
ened at last by what they had done, dis
persed In all directions and were out OF
sight before the doctor, even with his long
strides, had reached the spot
These imps have hurt you," he said,
bending over the man, who was trying to
stanch the blood with the fragment OF an
old handkerchief.
YES" said the man "It looks cowartily
to sit here and stand 1t, suppose. but a
fellow In clothes like mine would soon get
himself arrested II he punished boys like
that as they deserved. It's bad world for
empty pockets"
That's true" said the doctor "See here,
always have some sticking plaster in my
pocket. I'll fix the cut for YOU" And
taking of his gloves he produced the little
case with its plaster scissors and skillfully
dressed the wound
II suppose you are out OF employment"
he said when he had finished.
50 am out of pypryf hing - aafd fha man.
work, money, health, friends, and luck
and food and shelter just now. | wonder
haven't made hole in the water Why
men live when there Is nothing to live for
Is one Of the mysteries OF this life.n
I'VE all have something to live for, +" said
the doctor, though hungry man don't
think SO. You are young and strong. BE
temperate and you'll feel well again. Let
me help you out for today, and after you've
eaten and slept come to me. I'll give you
some work-rough workout IL will be
start-if you want IL, and come to me sober
tomorrow"
THANK you," said the man, rising; "and
God bless you. II | don't come sober I'll
not come at all. but think I'll come"
He took the dollar that the doctor gave
him with his card, aud bowed in a way that
proved that he had not always been in his
present position. The doctor obeyed the
impulse of the moment, and with a smile
offered the man his hand. He saw that this
was no ordinary tramp. For that sort OF
creature there IN no hope and no help. He
Is so vile that he scarcely deserves mercy.
and the doctor knew it well; but to this
man friendly hand grasp was good medi.
cine. IL had its effect. a light came into
the dull eyes, "A smile moved the mouth.
Il cannot express my obligations for
your kindness, " he said, eaEnestig
~ So hey parted. The doctor feat touched,
and was rather pleased with himself, and a
little further on, meeting boy he recog.
nized as one Of the poor mans assailants,
he took him by the ear and gave him lee
ture, threatening to take him TO his father
and expose his conduct. However, he did
not do it, nor did the boy fear that he
would
81 didn't throw the stone that cut the
fellow he said 1T was Tibbs."
How would Tibbs like to he arrested,
ask himY said the doctor Then he walked
on and the incident faded into insignif
canoe. After ALL 1t was unlikely that the
man would come to him
The doctor was very popular man In
the upper part Of the city, and his day was
well filled. He was, besides, bent ON two
missions, both important ones. He was
about TO make an offer of his hand and
heart to a lady of whose feelings he had
very little doubt, and he intended to de
posit in a certain bank sum of money
which he carried about his person. 1t was
large one-the half yearly salary he had
received from the managers Of an orphan
asylum to which he was physician.
Such a sum would endanger mans life
II he were known TO have IL about him as
he walked across those newly cut streets
or past blocks OF yet untenauted houses
But then, who knew And the doctor WINS
large and muscular.
Need one ask whittier his steps first took
himi Naturally to the feet OF his lady love
She was young enough 10 look all the
sweeter in the bright light Of day, and her
pretty morning dress became her She Ind
expected the offer and accepted il without
affectatinn, and the young doctor made all
sorts of charming speeches and was per
mitted more than one kiss.
At last, however, he was Obliged 10 say
adieu. and AS he ran down the steps he said
70 himself that he WAS the happiest fellow
alive. Already out OF fear Of poverty, en-.
gagged to the only girl he ever loved, healthy, |
and with clear conscience what young pro
fessional man was ever In better easei As |
he passed the spot where he had that morn. |
Ahb sNNA lug DO9o lHt
man. the picture arose once more before |
him. What contrast in their positions, |
he thought To himself Well, he had worked 1
for his, and no doubt that poor fellow had /
worked as hard in another way to bring |
upon himself the fate that had befallen him |
Still II was pitiful
Parents who did their best by me, a
happy home, more kindness than deserve
have been mine" he said. "How do !
know what the mans childhood wasi l
hope he will come TO me tomorrow am
glad helped him little"
He was yet to be still gladder How lit
tie we know what threads Of good or i'll we
braid into our lives By what seem our most
unimportant actions
From house TO house the doctor went.
Anxious mothers kept him on in talk. 4
There were those who felt that their we'll
being depended on telling the doctor all
about that queer sensation" aud that
worried feeling" and banking hours were
long over when he emerged from the resi-
dence OF the last patient upon his list, and,
indeed, II was growing quite dark, and,
like all healthy men, tho doctor was grow
ing hungry, and his dinner awaited him.
He stepped forward briskly, but had only y
gone few steps when an old woman ap-
proeehed him, wringing her hands and ]
sobbing:
You're DIR. Chester, aren't you, sirt'
abs cried. ''Och, doctor, dariin', you're
wanted immediate = It's my old man Il
tai bad a