Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-07-11

seemed to look a little older and thin
ner. But he hoped in briskly on his
crutch.
>Got chance for me yet, sirT he
asked.
'Yes,m lad,' the Secretary answered.
u haye just one chance for boy. He
can spend his Fourth of July week in
the country. What is your name? AS
he spoke be held out card.
>HiY The boy fairly snatched the
card and hoped out of the room with a
smoothered whoop.
What boy has happy week before
him. said the Secretary. Twish it was
in my power to make many more such
little fellows happy in the same way
Whats this business, anyhow? ? asked
Mr.. joplin. Il don exactly see through
it,
Mr.. Hallett briefly explained the So
ciety. It's benefciaries were among the
children Of the very poor, who could
never hope to escape for even day
from the exhausting heat of the sitting
city unless helped. Kind people Lying
out in the cool country sent in their
names signifying their willingness to
entertain a girl or boy for week. The
society peid for the transportation OF
the children to and from the country.
>It's a good notion, commented Mr.
Joplin.
But very few of these kind people
want boys nowadays continued MIR.
Halett. vIhe little chaps are inclined
to be riotous. Nearly all has asked
for girls of fate. The boys do a good
deal OF mischief, aud behave, presume,
like wild Indians
>Or jest simply like boys 2 Suggested
Mr.. Joplin.
And then little Knucks, the lame boy,
returned. He hoped 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 it. Pm not going He was
outside of the door by this time.
Mr.. Joplin's tall form arose suddenly
from his chair. He took a few long
steps and placed his big hand on the
lads shoulder.
Here he said, fairly propellng the
little chap back into the room. Come
back here
Nm not goin' to the country tomor-
row. the lad persisted. Lemme 60.
I'm busy.
>Sit down there commanded Mr..
Joplin.
Now, when Kuucks had received the
precious ticket emitting him to the
country week he had flown homeward
as fast as his crutch would carry him.
Little Jimmy Patton, the sun stricken
lad, lay on the brisk little cripple's bed.
He looked up weakly as his friend hop
ped into the room.
T'ye got it, Jim,' Knucks cried, ca
gerly, I've got ticket for one, an you
can 90 to the country tomorrow !
The sick boys face lighted up and he
took the ticket and looked at it.
You'll get we'll now, old man. cried
Knucks. AN Jim, you just remember
everything you do an see an hear fer
ter tell me-
The sick boy held out the ticket. y
amt goin Knucky,' he said. YOU are
the one that got the ticket; you are to
CO.
Mr.. Hallett was keen questioner,
and it was not long till he had the
whole story.
Course l wouldn't listen to him, said
Knucks in telling it. But it's no use,
he says l got the ticket an I've got TO
go on it,
Well, why don't you:' said Mr.. Hal.
lett.
Me" The boys tone was defiant but
he looked worried and troubled more
than he would tell. Me 60? Who'd
take care of him whilst His voice
shook and he started to hop from the
room. >Keek your ticket he iersed.
>Sit down there again. said Mr.. Jop'
lin. Here, little feller, both ofyou can
go to the country
Knucks had sat down, and for a mo-
ment be stared at the man in the pep
per and salt.
There's only one ticket he faltersd
finally.
Hang tickets cried Mr.. Joplin.
You fellers are goin with me. To-
msrrow's the Fourth of July-Ill give
a potlatch! l-git along with you; tell
the other little feller that both of you
are goin' to the country with me to-
morrow. Say, hold on. Any more sick
Eovs YOU know of? Invite EN- all