Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-06-11

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deck and walked away aft toward me
steerage. looking grave and ?reol-
cupied.
I'm afraid tina; poor fellow won't
live to see land" said the captain, fol.
lowing the man with his eye.
Not that man." said Alec looking
al the fireman.
"No-oh, no. It's a poor fellow we
took on in Montreal in place of one OF
our men who had met With an acciden;
and couldn't leave when we sailed He
offered his services for his board ami
passage across and We took him, b@l
I'm afraid stocking has been too much
for him. 1t tahes a strong man 10
stand the fire holes OF Il ships engine.
What ails him asked MIR, Marin
General breakdown doing more
than he was able. The doctor says he
can't recover.
Poor man" said Mr. Marin, syn
pathetically
Alec, after a few turns came down 70
the lower deck to talk with some of the
Storage passengers. Something in his
nature had risen up against the sharp
line Of class distinction drawn so bare
facedly on board ship. His father had
taken saloon passage for both, but
Alec had not forgotten how his ire had
risen when, paradlng the deck as a
steerage passenger. his attention had
been called to the notice that steerage
passengers must not cross the boundary
dividing the secoud-class from the aft
cabin 1t was rule, however, that
only worked one way for the first and
second class passengers could come to
the storage deck without let or
hinqrance.
Alec took special delight iii making
friends among the less fortunate of his
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. His blithe manner
and cheerful conversation were always
welcome; there was no patroniZing air
OF condesctnsion about Alec to insult OF
irlitate.
WHO is this poor fellow in the hos
pital?" he inquired of the fireman en-
his return from the steerage. Isn't he
going to get better?'
mo. | don't think so. He's been raw
ing all night, and such stuff as he says
enough to mlka your hair rise. And
he seems kind O sensible, too Oh,
Lord! Look at him.
The hospital door, few feet off, had
suddenly swung open and CHASTITY.
gaunt man in trousers, shirt and bare
feet staggered out with wild, blind ges
lures and was caught in the arms OF
the fireman.
Il can't die have something to say
before | die Doctor, Doctor, Where
are you? In tell YOU all about it |
must tell. cannot die till | tell 1t
was old man Hill he
Alec. who had also sprung forward to
help the poor man back to the bed lie
had escaped from, uttered an inarticu-
late cry as that name escaped the mans
lips,
For Gods sake let us get him in AMI
get the doctor Immediately he said,
in a tense, low Voice and as soon as
they got him lifted upon the bed, he
smut the hospital door and bending
over the man. said:
What do YOU know OF old man Hi?
Who Killed him?"
But the maA was in a swoon from 2X-
haustion and lay now with his eyes
closed, deaf and notionless
"QuiCk. Run for the doctor, man; tell
him 10 come Immediately and bring
some restorative with him" cried Alaa
turning to the fireman with suppressed
excitement.
The fireman hesitaled
THE doctor was here only an nour
ago, said lie could do no more for him. "
Alec dashed out of the hospital ant
ran forward to the doctors Office and
in another minute the Two appeared
coming along together
The doctor was a young fellow and
on the hint being given by Alec that
his patient had something to confess
hurrledly prepared a reviying draught
and snatchng VI writing materials
went aft with him
you might ask the captain if ne will
step down for a few minutes Say i
will be a favor t. me"
The fireman left them together anil
the doctor, raising the mans head,
poured the reyiving liquid slowly down
lis throat.
In a few minutes he opened his eyes
and looked at them sanely.
What did you wish to say?" asked
the doctor, quietly
Tell me FIRST" easped the man, will
! get better"
while there is life there is hope.
but you are pretty weak. If you haye
anything to say, better say il now"
Ale" stood looking on pale with the
intensity of excitement The sick man
looked at him with questioning eyes,
but did not attempt to speak. Alec
grew impatient; an idea had flashed on
him That this man knew something
about the murder was certain; what II
he were the doer OF the deed?
He does not seem much inclined to
speak, the doctor observed
"\Till ynu a How mo IN mt /. rucg4{o,,