The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-07-03
KNUCKS' 4TH OF JULY

That n small boy presented himself Mt the
Office of the secretary of the Fresh Air
Fund society.
There was little Of boyishness In his face,
and none of the elasticity of childhood in
his step. He seemed weak, as IL i'll from
the intense heat
He removed his tattered hat at the door
and stepped just inside, holding on to the
door casing with one hand
"Got chance for me, sir?" he asked
timidly.
"No, my boy" answered the secretary
mo one wants boys yet"
The lad made no answer. His weak,
dragging footsteps carried him out OF the
building and down the hot street for few
blocks. Then he staggered few steps,
threw up his hands weakly, wavered blind
ly and fell in q heap on the pavement
Another sunstroke," said the police
man who picked him up.
Next day another boy came to the secre-
tary's office with the question, "Any
chance for me, sirP" And again the secre-
tary answered that nobody wanted boys
yet
This boy limped on n crutch, for one Of
his legs hung withered and useless, but
his limp was brisk, despite the heat and
his evident weariness.
And when he heard the dlscouraglng
answer to his plea he limped out again
briskly, and even whistled few gay notes.
But he stopped when out of hearing, and
one hand slipped furtively up and dashed
tear or two away.
Upon the following afternoon an entire
ly different sort of visitor came to the
office of the secretary of the fund He was
tall, angular man and came striding
briskly up the hot street. mopping his
moist forehead with red handkerchief.
He might have been less hot had he been
SO minded. He was walking unsheltered
from the fierce glare on the sunny side Of
the street, and not only that, but was clad
In well worn pepper and salt suit Of
clothes amply warm enough for any
weather short Of freezing.
Instead OF straw hat he wore a thick
black slouch In addition he was striding
along as If walking for a wager.
When he entered the Office Of the Fresh
Air fund, the secretary looked up from his
writing then greeted him politely.
Paul Hallett, l reckonT inquired the
newcomer.
"That is my name, sir. What can do
for your
"Well, you might remember me-"
~ am sorry, but
mot suprisin. Names Joplin-John
Joplin from Colorado"
"Mr. Joplin, hardly
"You remember Romford, up among the
Connecticut hillsP Remember the little
yellow schoolhouse Jest across the brookp
Remember the lanky Joplin boyP"
"I-why, of course l remember you,
In 70 Ar a1I N
hearty ring in his voice. "And 1 am truly
glad to see you again, old friend"
"That's good to hear. You're the same
Paul"
II don't know, John Twenty and more
years is long time. How have they
served your"
"I've had my ups and downs, answer
ed Mr.. Joplin, fought my fights and got
my scars Yes, twenty odd years is long
time, Paul didn't realize it till walk
ed under the elms up In old Romford the
other day"
Mr.. Joplin, in his we'll worn pepper
and salt suit, did not look particularly
prosperous, and the secretary was afraid
that he had been obliged to save and hoard
In order to make this journey back east to
visit old scenes.
But he was very glad to see him, and he
was talking over old times when he was
interrupted by the entrance of the lame
boy who had come the day before and gone
away disappointed with whistle on his
lips and tears in his eyes.
Got a chance for me yet, sirp" he ask.
ed.
Yes, my lad" the secretary answered.
Il have just one chance for q boy. You
can spend your Fourth of July week In the
country What is your namep'
AS he spoke he held out card.
"Hir' The boy fairly snatched the card
and hoped out of the room with a smoth-
cred whoop
"Herel Herel" called the secretary aft.
or him. What is your name?"
"Knucks .
The boy was already in the street and
speeding along the pavement as fast as his
crutch would carry him, and If there was
any more of his name Mr.. Hallett did not
catch 1t
Whats this business anyhow" asked
Mr.. Joplin. II don't exactly see through
It"
Mr.. Hallett briefly explained the soci-
ETY. Its beneficiaries were among the chill.
dren Of the very poor, who could never
hope to escape for even day from the ex-
hausting heat of the sitting city unless
helped,
Kind people living out in the cool coun.
try sent in their names signifying their
willingness to entertain girl or boy for a
week. The society paid for the transporta-
tion of the children to and from the coun.
try
But very few of these kind people
want boys nowadays, continued Mr.. Hal.
lett THE little chaps are inclined to be
riotous Nearly every one has asked for
girls of late The boys do good deal of
mischief and behave, presume, like wild
Indians"
"Or just simply like boysP" suggested
Mr. Joplin
Mr. Hallett was In love with his work,
poorly paid though his position was, and
he told the man from Colorado great
deal about it MIR. Joplin listened gravely
" It's good notion" he said "and hu-
man
And then little Knucks returned He
hopped in and laid the card on the desk.
Here Is the ticket back again, sir. +" he
said Let some other boy use it. don't
need 1t.
And he turned and started to hop from
the room.
"But, my boy"-- began Mr.. Hallett.
81 don't need it," the lad repeated, hop
min n toward the door