Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-11-02
spring crowd to the narrow room where

they nau lalu the chlld,
The mother, grandmother and three
aunts surrounded the bod, loudly be-
wailing the loss of the little one, for il
was to all appearance dead
"Give ME room here" said Will, pr
emptorily, as he tore off his coat, vest
and linen cuffs; sit may be that can
do something for her"
For the next hour he worked rapidly
and necessarily
The room was unventilated aud uu
tidy, but Will, whose fastidiousnsss WAS
a by-wcrd among his friends, forgot
these minor trials in his desperate fight
for life
At last tho little breast heaved slight
ly, then again and again, the eyelids
iluttsred family and soon the breathing
became firm and regular. There"
said he, rising from his task and wiping
the perspiration from his brow. your
little girl is all right now, Mrs. Pop
linski
AT this juncture there was move
ment in the outer room, and moment
later the doctor came busting in he
glanced at tho child then at the coatlsss
and perspiring boy.
swell, young fellow, is that your
work p he asked. al expected to tind
the poor little thing beyond help; but
| couldn't get here any sooner, aud
must say couldn't have done a better
job if had You have simply saved
the poor little creatures life."
While the doctor was feeling the
childs pulse and giving orders for is
future care, Win gathered up his be-
lengings and hurried out, breaking away
from the throng of happy women who
were determined to load him with their
broken thanks and praises But he
dared not let them detain him another
moment, for he had looked at bis watch
when the doctor came and was diamuyeJ
at the flight of time
"What If Father has returned willis
| have been away p he asked him .elf
with sinking heart. for the key to the
store was in his pocket.
He went back quite as rapidly as no
had gone away, and when he reached the
door, flushed and perspiring. his father
was nowhere visible, but two women
stood there waiting for admission.
''Of course the olly customers of the
afternoon would be sure to come while
| was away" he thought. as he let them
in and waited upon them.
When he was once moro alone he sat
down to rest, thinking all the while of
his fathers possible displeasure when he
learned of the locked store
"surely no will excuse mo under the
circumstances, he said to himself again
aud again.
Yet, despite this self-acquittal, he
dreaded the confession that he must
make when his father returned. But
when it was time to close the store for
the day Mr. BArnham had not yet ap-
peared, and Will went home with an
anxious heart. AT the door of their
home, however, he found his father
waiting with outstretohed hands.
Il have heard all about it," he said,
before Will could utter word. II came
through the Polish settlement on my
way home, and they are doing nothing
over there but talking of the way Will
Barnham saved the Poplinski baby"
But had to close tho store to do
it. That's the first time ever ran
away from the work that you left for mo
to do" he added, proudly"
you did just right-just right"
said Mr.. Barnham warmly" OF course
Casabianca-like fidelity is all right un.
der certain circumstances but always
said I'd be ashamed Of boy who didn't
have sense enough to distinguish be-
tween the lesser and the greater duty.
So | think your good judgment is as
much to DO commended as your kind
ness of heart.
In the Eager discussion Of the affair
by the whole family that followed, Will
forgot that he had meant to advance
arguments in regard to moving But
his logic ard iluency were spared, for,
beginning with the following morning,
a great change came over Mr.. Barnham's
business.
The Polish patronage turned to his
door, entirely deserving Iilinski, thus
giving both dealers genuine surprise.
Mr.. Barnham was obliged to hire
two clerks, while Iilnski was soon glad
to move away to more fallow field.