St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-07-05
Selected Stnru.
KNUCKS' nth OF JULY.


so many ovens, that small boy pre-
sented himself at the office of the
Fresh Air fund society.
There was little of boyishness IN
his face, and none of the elasticity of
childhood in his face. 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 a chance for me, STRIP he
asked timidly.
"No, my boy" answered the secre-
tary. mo one wants boys yet"
The lad made no answer. His
weak, dragging footsteps carried
Kim out of the building and down
the hot street for a few blocks. Then
he staggered few steps, threw up
his hands weakly, wavered blindly
and fell in heap on the pavement.
Another sunstroke," said the
policeman who picked him up.
Next day another boy came to
the secretary's office with the ques-
ton, ANY chance for me, sir?" And
again the secretary answered that
nobody wanted boys yet.
This boy limped on crutch, for
one OF his legs hung withered and
useless, but his limp was brisk, de-
spite the heat and his evident weari.
ness.
And when he heard the discourag,
ing answer to his plea he limped out
again briskly, and even whistled lew
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
entirely different sort OF a visitor
came to the office of the secretary of
the fund. He was tall, angular
man and came striding briskly up
the hot street, mopplng his moist
forehead with red handkerchief.
He might have been less hot had he
been so minded. He was walking
unshetered from the fierce glare on
the sunny side OF the street, and not |
only that, but was clad in a well |
worn pepper and salt SUIT of clothes
amply warm enough for any wealth
er short OF freezing.
Instead OF straw hat he wore a
thick black SLOUGH. In addition he
was striding along as if walking for
wager.
When he entered the office of the
Fresh Air fund, the secretary looked
up from his writing, then greeted
him politely.
Paul Hallett, reckon ?" inquired
the newcomer.
That is my name. sir. What can
do for your"
well, you might remember me-"
II am sorry, but
Not surprisin'. Names Joplin
John Joplin from Colorado.
"Mr. Joplin. l hardly
You remember Romiord. up
among the Connecticut hills? Re-
member the little yellow schoolhouse
jest across the brook? Remember.t the
lanky, Joplin boy?'
"l-why of course remember you,
John Joplin" said Mr.. Hallett, with
a hearty ring in his voice. And l
am truly glad to see you again, old
friend
That's good to hear. You're the
same Paul"
Il don't know, John. Twenty and
more years is a long time. How
have they served your"
I've had my ups and downs"
answered Mr.. Joplin, fought my
fights and got nv scars. Yes, TWEEN
ty odd years is long time, Paul.
didn't realize it till walked under
the elms up in old Romford the other
day"
Mr.. Joplin, in his well worn pepper
and salt suit, did not look particu
larIy prosperous, and the secretary
was afraid that he had been obliged
to save and hoard in order to make
this j 'urney 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 en-
trance of the lame boy who had come
the day before and gone away dis.
appointed with a whistle on his lips
and tears in his eyes.
Got chance tor me yet, sir ?" he
asked.
Yes, my lad" the secretary an.
swered. | have just one chance for
boy. You can spend your Fourth
OF July week in the country. What
your name?"
As he spoke he held out a card.
Hill" The boy fairly snatched the
card and hoped out OF the room
with smothered whoop.
Here Here!" called the secretary
after him. What is your name ~
"knucks."
The boy was already in the street
and speeding along the pavement as
last as his crutch would carry him,
and 1t there was any more of his
name Mr., Hallett didn't catch it.
What's this business anyhow
asked Mr., Joplin. II don't exactly
see through it,"
Mr.. Hallett briefly explained the
society. Its beneficiaries were
among the children OF the very poor,
VINO could never hope to escape tor