The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-12-29
charity. and nothing like 1t. We will

talist. your living will be all your
own. A present from us, your friehu
would knock any one down mySv .
who would call it charity. Think %
my present, my Jersey COW. And
have had many other presents In ny
life, and why should not youT
"'rhcn 1t is all right, If that's how
It Isl" and the long sigh that came from
the depths of his troubled soul seemed
to carry with 1t a load of depression
and sorrow, and left the joyful spirit
free and buoyant as air. With glad
smile he added: II hope L can soon
earn our living"
$50 you can. I'm sure Of It," said the
man of medical science. Keep up
courage, and remember that you are
to have the children tomorrow ana
then the boy was left to think over his
happiness alone
Never had the great surgeon of b
Hospital looked so noble rs when he
came in with the motherless baby in
his arms and trembling boy cllnglng
to the hand at his side In the blue
eyes of the baby he saw his own little
one, that all his skill could not save
when diphtheria stalked through the
land. He wanted to adopt the chill
dren, but Sydney was firm in his over
mastering desire for farm, so ii rest
cd Mt that.
When the surgeon went himself for
the children there was some holding
back about giving them up. Excuses
were made, and 1t was said that the
committee would have to meet and de-
eide the matter, but the surgeon was
imperative.
The children were left by the dying
mother in the boys care, so he argued,
and the patient had need Of them to
make sure his recovery, and so the
point was gained, though with no very
good grace.
The man of wealth and position was
by the side of the boy when the chill
dren were brought In. The cry from
his lips once heard could never be for
gotten. With emotion, he saw the
eager clasp Of the thin arms around
the baby's chubby form, and the pas
slonate kisses, while little Dick laid
his head on his brothers shoulder and
sobbed convulsively.
Suddenly the head of the young hero
was drawn back with the cry, "They
have cut off her beautiful curls" And
he looked ruefully at the pretty head
lying on his bosom.
Never mind" said the surgeon sooth-
ingly. "They will soon grow out again.
See the little rings clustering around
her forehead"
"She had red dress on, and didn't
look like this" was the grieved re-
joinder.
"She shall have red dress this very
day. replied the capitalist. "My wife
is going to make her number of
presents, and will look after her cloth
ing and all such matters If you will
permit her to do so. A woman who
lives on the same floor where your
home is to be will see to her baths, and
will do what you cannot so well do as
a woman can. But you can live in
your own little rooms as before, If you
like that best, and no one shall trouble
you"
1--WE do! Oh, we dor said both boys
eagerly, and again the children We're
hugged and kissed with hungry long
ing. Il used to cook and do the house
work to give mother more time to sew,
so 1t comes handy ever since" Sydney
fastened to add, as If fearing they
would doubt his ability to keep house
and provide for the children.
Tears came into older eyes as the
and sobbed as if his heart would break.
This glad joy overpowered him, to
think that the children were all his
own again, and no one would ever
come looking after them to take them
away. He had been assured of that,
so his heart was at peace, and he de-
clared himself the happiest boy in all
the great city of New York.
Sydney Sterlings $50 were found
and We're put In the savings bank,
where more was added every week,
after strength came to run around and
cry his papers. They would have
reached mighty sales had the public
known of the hero who carried them.
The busy years bore the boy on to-
wards manhood, while he studied and
worked, happier than king on his
throne, refusing all offers of higher
or better position, thinking only of the
farm, till he reached his twentieth
year. He was fine looking tall and
muscular, with brave, noble heart,
full of all good impulses, looking fear
lessly out in the world, ready to take
his place among men as farmer and
a worker, and with a ready hand to
help where help was needed.
The capitalist and the surgeon went
with him to select his farm, at no
great distance from the city, where
they assured him they could come to
see him often and watch his prosper
ity
The peaceful and comfortable home
and the fertile acres were all that they
could wish, with fine horses, cattle,
pigs, fowls, and tools in abundance to
work with, so the little family settled
down in glad content, while the birds
in the trees around them We're not
happier than they in their new home
They worked and capered gleefully, as
If it were not possible to ever feel
fatigue or WEAKNESS for want of rest.
Little Grace, now eleven years old
played housekeeping in practical
way, while the boys worked on the
farm, with an experienced man as
helper and instructor, and Grace was
to attend school every winter.
did Sydney Sterling prosperT' you
ask.
Yes, and his brave brother Dick with
him. Their hearts We're In this work,
and though they made some mistakes
they learned even from them; so that
their happy expectations We're fully