The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-11-01
80
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CHAPTER XII

PAINTING BY THE WAYslDE-
The weeks Il lew rapidly by.
The merchants of the city presented
Nellie Harland with a purse OF t1ve
hundred dollars. George was on fair
way to recovery. Alice had secured a
position in a store, where her 1.-the steT
and laughing eyes bore testimony to
contented spirit that rejoices in fan
DAVIS wage for a fair days work, and
even Joe Henderson was hoping to re-
deem the future, and all but Frank
Grey were happy.
Times were not prosperous with him,
Spring succeeded winter, yet he had Sc
cured no permanent employment, while
the fees he had received for desultory
contributions to the journals and mag
azines had been so small that he was
Obliged to draw on his little capital till
the end of his resources was unpleas'
antly close at hand.
Literature" sneered the eccentric
Bailey in his forcible style, when one
day Frank met him in his rambles, lis
a tolerable cane, but an internally I'M
reliable crutch."
Now necessity has no laws.
The world did not want his services,
save in one way, and that the most OBJ
noxious to him. Hemust once more turn
schoolmaster, the only profession in the
states which seems always to offer a
chance of employment to the impecu-
NOUS, who stay in it, in nine cases out
OF ten. Just as short time as necessity
compels them to do so.
His new field of labor-for he soon
found a poSition-was a village hun
dred miles from the city amid the rich,
rolling prairies of Illinois.
He had been down to the place to in
terview successfully the school author
ities. and was returning to Chicago to
spend the last few days of freedom be-
fore taking possession of his new in
cumbency.
The railroad car was crowded. lie
found himself seated beside an oldish
man, dressed in a shabby suit of black
"a man who looked as though he had
seen better days. His features. strong
" marked, were ashy pale, and his lips
occasionally twitched convulsively.
Are you sick. sir?" Grey asked.
He was startled by the short, nerv-
Gus reply: Get me out of the train,
or l shall die"
Grey at once alarmed the conductor,
who vainly sought a physician among
the passengers, while the growing pal
Tor in the sufferers face threatened a
serious end to the adventure.
1--WE stop at Princeton next. If some
one would only see him to the hotel he
may have a chance" the conductor sug-
gested.
Grey at once volunteered his services.
If You choose TO stop and take care
of your sick friend" the proprietress of
the hotel declared, che may remain;
but our hotels no hospital, nor amt
no nurse"
Common humanity demanded that
Grey should see the sufferer at any rate
through the night, though he thought
ruefully Of the additional expense he
was encountering, for he Felt assured
his debtor for all outlay.
Collie the doctor called it-that COM
mon pestilence of the western states
bu. sharp remedies prevailed, and
towards morning the patient dozed into
a slight, grateful slumber.
Il am better" he gasped on waking.
''Of course You are" Grey responded
cheerfullv. You'll be on your legs
again in no time"
But, you will not leave me yet?7
''Why, yes, l must be going soon"
Don't go. Stay little"
well, we'll see. Now don't worry
yourself about trifes. I'm not very
flush myself, but l can find enough to
see You through this little trouble. III
settle the bill here before I go"
This seemed to pacify the sick man,
for he grew rapidly better, and before
noon was talking as giblyas though he
had never been sick. astounding Grey
with his terse remarks. Nay. the young
fellow, to his own amazement, found
himself chattering over his own adven-
lures in Chicago, partly with a view of
diverting his listener and partly be-
cause he was glad to get a cOngenial
spirit to talk to.
In fact, the old gentleman picked up
so immensely that it was decided that