The Van Buren press., 1895-09-14

I
it 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 haring out at
stray insultsL Possibly he had grown
bit careless in Watching side streets.
At any rate, one cold afternoon he
found himself in 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
70 clasp his half-frozen hands under the
placard, but the board banged his
knuckles; 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 his 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 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 passion. That only increased
his tormentors' amusement. Not rec
ognizing him, they jostled him bit
and then peppered his board with
snowballs
John was utterly helpless, incased
as he was. He could only beat re-
treat down steep hill. He tried to
run, and SO stumbled along, the boards
rattling wildly. When half way down
the hill he heard ringing shout:
..Holla-la--la--la!"
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 frantic jump to one
side. Faster and faster flew the ap-
preaching sled.
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-
tion. Its John Ham!" he cried; and
then, in spite of his alarm, he added:
IA Ham sandwich, as sure as live!''
But the Ham, no longer sandwich,
lay frightfully still. The boys grew
more and more terrified.
as he dead?" they asked in whispers.
John heard them, and managed to
speak: "My Iegl My leg"
They lifted him on the sled and drew
him gently up the hill. When next he
opened his eyes he was in strange
house, and unknown faces were bend
ing over him. He heard gentleman
say. 1.-THE left leg is fractured" Then
another voice said: 1--WE must send for
his mother"
That brought back Johns senses in
fash
Don't! Don't scare her!" he gasped.
Then Tom Sanders popped up from a
corner, where he had been crouching
in much anguish of spirit. He caught
Johns hands, and, in frantic endeav-
or to stife sob, gave curious snort
of affliction
Don't you w-worry, Johnny" he
cried. "1'll go for your mother. old
chap. and I'll tell her you're-all-all
-r-rightr' And then, his emotion get
ting the better of him, he bolted from
the room.
But new source of distress dawned
on John.
my money! We must have money!
And how can l walk round with a
broken Lego" he said, piteously.
1t was the strange gentleman who
spoke now. afs
Don't worry" he said, repeating
Toms words. II am DR.. Sanders,
and it was my son who did the mis-
chief Be sure money shall be at your
disposal"
Oh, how kind those people were tt
John. Never had he seen the like Of
the white bed they had prepared fol
him; never were tenderer hands thar
those belonging to Toms mother Al
for Tom and Joe and young Tracy, fol
three weeks they waited on theil
wounded comrade by inches. Tom, ir
his eagerness to make amends woul6
verify have turned himself into a sand
wich, and have put himself at the dis
posal of Benjamin Butcher Babbitt
but DR.. Sanders vetoed that.
Don't sue us for damages, John, my
boy he said, smiling, as he sat one
morning by the invalids side. "Wel
do the handsome thing by you if you'll
be easy on us. What should you say
to a year at the commercial college
where you may learn bookkeeping, ant
SO be able to earn more than seventy
five cents day?"
But mother and the children?" que
ried John, anxiously. ~
"Of course they must be provided
for" said DIR. Sanders. That's par