The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02

over foot long. His wife made it, an
she says: .Jim,' says she, take this ere
sorsidge to Master 'Arris,' for she says
Jim says she, there's nowt fer elewatin'
the witals like good Henglish sorsidge,
an, she says, Jim, says she, you will
hexpress my haffections to Master 'Arris
an to lis ma, likewise It's wicked for
me to initiate Jim, but l was so glad to
hear him talk again that l wanted to cry
and laugh at the same time"
Jack laughed, too. till the tears came.
"But was going to tell you about Char
lie Bridges he said. "The other evening
Jim was waiting for him to make out
some shipping receipts. and went over in
the corner, where it's kinder dark, you
know, to sit down on on the stool there.
We'll, just as he pumped himself down he
felt something pop and squash under him
and jumped up like he was shot. 1t was
Charles silk hat. rybody laughed
except Jim and Charlie. Jim was awful
sorry and offered to pay for it, while Char
lie shed tears, but refused the money.
The bows liked him the better for that, and
he and Jim are as good friends as ever"
Tom laughed so heartily that he began
coughing in way that cut Jack to the
heart. His mother brought him some
water. and when his cough was quieted
Jack had grown sad and silent.
"What is the doctor doing for youp' he
asked, after long pause.
mot much, now" said Tom, a little
sadly. "He says l need fresh air most,
and that if could get strength my cough
would STOP"
Jack continued to look grave and Offered
no reply.
II must try and get back to work by Oc-
tober," con tinued Tom. "Jusrthink, have
lost eight whole months; it is terrible"
and tears stood in the poor fellows eyes.
''Where would you 60 for an outing, old
boy9'' asked Jack, after pause.
"Oh, don't know; / haven't considered
it. Almost any place in the country
| where could get away from this smoke
and have fresh air. Yes, there is a place."
he added. 'It's where we used to live be-
fore we came to the city" and he glanced
quickly at his mother, who bent low over
her sewing and did not seem to be listen
ing.
II should like to 60 there. 1t is about
| fifty miles north of here, and there are
nice woods and little stream, where I
! used to catch perch and club. l should
| like to go there again and fish. I know
| people there. too, and don't believe it
| would cost more than $l5 month for
| board" and the sick mans eyes shone at
the thought of his old village and the
stream with its perch and club.
An hour before Jack would have laughed
| scornfully at such sport, but he did not
laugh now. Pretty soon he said good
night to Tom and his mother and walked
home under the street lamps thinking.
That night when he got to his room he
made q new calculation. 1t ran as fol-
lows:
Three round-trip tickets to Pokeville.. .$6 90
Board for three, one month. th...............45O 45 90
Fish-lines and hooks for perch and chubs. =. 90
Totals. S52 90
Then he wrote little note.
Dear Tom,' it said, "I am going to
take vacation in September, and as 1
will want company invite you to go with
me; also your mother, to take care of us.
have been saving the money for a year.
and have enough for a months trip for
all of US. You can prepare to start next
week. will come up to- morrow night
and will talk it over. JACK"
Jack Brainerd never spent happier
month in his life than that which he spent
with Tom and his mother at Pokeyille.
Tom seemed to get better from the first
day, and before the month was over was
thoroughly himself again.. Mrs. Harris
visited her old friends, while the young
men spent whole days in the woods. some
times fishing. sometimes just lying be-
meath the big trees. When they returned
to the city the hot. dusty weather was
over, and they went back to work bronzed
and strong, and ever since then they have
been inseparable friends.