The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-12-29

had to sew herself to death. an died.
There was dropping of the corners
of the mouth. with the thought or tue
carly sorroW and bereavement which
was bitter memory that time had
not yet headed
I'VE didn't trouble nobody. Dick
took care OF baby, All picked coal out
of thc ash barrels, while she played
around, when l was sellin papers. I've
got $40 hid away to'ards buyin' the
farm, If they amt stole 1t, while they
took the children. 1t most kills me
about them. and I'm dreadfully wor-
ried about the money while I've had
to lay here"
"You must not be troubled. You
shall not be the loser " 1t Is gone; but
are you sure that you would rather
have the farm than anything elsev'
"Nothin' can be surer! l live'on that
thought, an thnkin' what l am goin'
to do for the children. Sis an DICK
talks of it all the time, too"
"What do you say, surgeon! Can
he bear good newsW
"The more the better"
"Well, my hero of fourteen years, L
will make you n present of the farm,
and place the money aside for you. In
your name, for that purpose, In case
anything should happen to me. The
surgeon and doctor are witnesses to
the agreement. You can save money
to buy your horses and stock, and If
you fall short of enough to buy farm
tools l win make you a present Of
them. also, for saving the life Of my
little daughter"
GLORY to Godv' shouted the boy.
"'llre's your World, 'Erald, Tribune,
Times and SUM-" and the surgeon had
to lightly place his hand over the boys
mouth and when 1t was removed In
lower tone he cried: "'Ere's yer extra!
Latest news from the heart of Africa"
Another thought quoted his excite
ment almost in a moment, and some
what subdued his wild tumult of joy,
and there was corresponding over
shadowing of the countenance, as he
said
II did not do It for pay. / saw TIL
baby would be killed, and l gave a
spring for her, an tossed her aside
when l saw the horses was goin' ter
trample me ter death"
mo, my boy, it is not pay. I scorn
the word in connection with deed so
brave and holy" said the man of
wealth, almost as much excited as was
the boy of n few moments before, but
who now lay pale, limp and languid as
he thought that his honor was at stake.
He turned from the subject by saying
in depressed tone Of voice:
That's mean, helpless-lookin' hand
to earn livin' with" and he turned
1t over to look at it, as it was tenderly
held in the grasp of his new friend.
1T looks like milk-sop's hand. I
can't stand that"
"Outdoor air and work will remedy
the look of weakness" said the sur
geon, his face as happy as the face on
the pillow had been few moments
before.
81 will make you a present of q
farm, as l would do 1t for my own
son." and there was moisture in the
eyes of the capitalist as he looked into
the wan, troubled face which had been
so glorified but moment before.
'The present isn't charity, either.
Is it?'
mo! Nor nothing like it! my prec-
ious boy" was the reply of the man
who had never been so happy at the
thought of parting with like sum of
money. And yet, like many of earth's
noble ones, he had been constantly
stretching forth his hand to the sor-
rowing and needy in some way.
"The capitalist had a present Of a
Jersey COW last spring, when he moved
to his place in the country. You would
not call that charity, would your" ask
ed the smiling surgeon.
'No, 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
glorified with smiles of joy.
II don't know how to thank you,
never, as you ought to be. l wonder
If it's sign I'm fool. l want to cry.
I'm full clear up to here" and the
boy put his well hand up to his throat,
while tears rolled silently down his
pale cheek.
Other eyes looked as though they
wanted to cry too, till the surgeon
said: You have some good friends, my
boy. capitalist doctor and sur
geon. We will stand by you through
life, only let us see that you are noble,
good and true in all things"
I'll be all that. / gave the promise
to mother before she died, and can't
break it, never!'
When the surgeon again visited his
patient he found the boy much better.
He smiled when Sydney asked for a
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 1t was
abandoned, and he would lie and think
of the good which was to come to him
In the near future.
Can l have the children ter-mor-
rer?" was the almost daily cry of the
loving heart of the boy whenever he
got sight of the surgeon in the morn
ing
At last both he and the doctor saw
that hope deferred began to tell on
the constitution of the lad, with the
heart-hunger which accompanied it,
and recovery seemed at q standstill,
while the prayers of one woman, at
least, went up for the occupant of that
little cot in the city hospital.
The sunken look of the eyes, and
the hacking cough, boded no good, un-
less the heart of the boy could be sat
isfied in its affection for the children.
The change had been too great from
active outdoor life, so the capitalist
took him in his elegant carriage, with