Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-09-27

since he had made up his mind to bear
1t till he saw his. way open to some
thing better, he had managed to keep
on the right side OF benjamin b., and
to restrain himself from tiaring out at
stray insults. Possibly he had grown
a bit carelessin Watching side streets.
AT any rate, one cold afternoon he
found himself in a part of the city
where he had never meant to go; this
was in the region of his old school
house.
So chill was the air that John was
shivering pitifully in spite of the
breastplate and backpiece. He tried
to clasp his half-frozen hands under the
placard, but the board banged his
knuclSles; and when he put them to
his mouth to breathe warmth on their
tips the cages of the advertisement
cut his arms.
He was very, very tired. There was
an hours more walking to do on the
icy pavements. His shoes scarcely
protected his feet, since he had denied
them patches in order that Maggie
might have new india rubbers.
John was almost dazed with the
cold, when suddenly every drop in his
body seemed to rise to boiling heat;
for round the corner came, pell nell.
three of mis- dreaded mates, headed by
Tom Sanders
John glanced wildly to the right
and the left, but there was no possible
escape. His cap drawn down TO his
eyes disguised him, and by dropping
his head he might pass unknown.
But in his confusion and haste he
slipped, and cut a most ridiculous
caper in regaining his balance. The
boys burst into roar of good-natured
laughter.
Sandwich ahoy!" shouted Joe An
derson.
Prop the gentleman up!" cried Tom.
Hello, Bitters!" hailed Ned Tracy.
Had John been himself he would
have taken the jokes kindly; but,
nervous, hungry, exhausted, he flew
into a passion. That only increased
his tormentors' amusement Not REG
ognizing him, they jostle him a bit
and then peppered his board with
snowballs
John was utterly helpless, incased
as he was. He could only beat a re-
treat down steep hill. He tried to
run, and so stumbled along, the boards
rafting wildly. When half way down
the hill he heard ringing shout:
"HOlla-la- -la-law
Turning, he saw Tom Sanders sharp
shooter spinning down the hill.
''Out of the way!" called Tom, as on
he came like the wind.
John made a frantic Jump to one
side. Faster and faster flew the ap-
preaching sled.
No one could tell how it was done.
There was collision, crash, and
then frightful mixing of sled, boards
and boys.
Tom was on his feet again in twin
king, but John lay quiet. The other
boys came rushing to the spot. They
threw off the boards; they lifted
Johns head
Tom Sanders gave a loud exclama-
ton. ''It'S John Han!" he cried; and
then, in spite of his alarm, he added
IA Ham sandwich, as sure as l liver
But the Ham, no longer sandwich,
lay frightfully still. The boys grew
more and more terrifi I'd.
us he dead?' they asked in whispers
John heard them, and managed tc
speak: "My leg! My leg!"
They lifted him on the sled and drew
him gently up the hill. When next he
opened his eyes he was in a strange
house, and unknown faces were bend
ing over him. He heard a gentleman
say ''The left leg is fractured" Their
another voice said: 1--WE must send fol
his mother"
That brought back Johns senses il
"a fash.
Don't! Don't scare herl" he gasped
Then Tom Sanders popped up from
corner, where he had been crouching
In much anguish of spirit He caugh
Johns hands, AMI, in frantic endeav
or TO stiflc sob, gave a curious snor
of atfliction.
Don't you w-worry, Johnny!" h,
cried. I'm go for your mother, ole
chap, and I'll tell her you're-all- al
Fright" And then, his emotion get
ting the better of him, he bolted from
the room.
But new source of distress dawnet
on John.
MY money! We must have money
And how can walk round with
broken leg9' he raid, piteously.
1t was the strange gentleman who
spoke now.
Don't worry" h. said, repeating
Toms words. 81 am DR.. Sanders
and it was my sol who did the mis-
chief. BE sure money shall be at you
disposal"
Oh, how kind those people were t,
John. Never had he Neen the like O
the white bed they had prepared fo
him; never were tenderer hands thar
those belonging to Toms mother. Al
for Tom and Joe and young Tracy, TO
three weeks they waited on theil
wounded comrade by inches. Tom, il
his eagerness to make amends, would
verify have turned himself into sand
witch, and have put himself al the dis
posal of Benjamin Butcher Babbitt
but DR.. Sanders vetoed that.
Don't sue MS for damages, John, m,
boy" he said smiling, as he sat on,
morning by the invalid's side. wei
do the handsome thing by you if you'll
be easy ON US What should you SAY
to year at the commercial college
where you may learn bookkeeping, an,
so be able to earl more than seventy
| five cents q day?n