The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-12-25

white man, tossing, turning and bah
bling with delirium, in the full grip OF
the jungle f.ver-a young man evident
ly, his once powerful frame, fearfully
reduced by illness and confinement, COW
cred by the ragged and grimy shirt and
trousers of a sailor. He became quieter
as McGregor raised his head and drank
the medicine given him, but began NUT
tering again as the doctor laid him
down.
"He was a wee bit more rational this
afternoon" said McGregor, land told
me bit of his story, but he couldn't
or wouldn't tell his name. / found him
just outside on the grass and brought
him in here for want of a better place. "
WAS there nothing in his pockets"
asked
"Nought but these" showing few
confines, at which the old woman
glared greedily. "He may come to his
senses a bit soon. Ye'd better bide
awhile"
SIS he past hope, Mac?" l asked.
Cant we do anything-take him to a
better house, mean?"
The doctor shook his head. eff we
could get him up north now, I'd say
he'd get well with the constitution he
has. It's the heat of the place that keeps
him down. The poor lads made like
one Of our ain collie dogs-strong and
well in the cold, but when taken by fe-
yer in this climate-whish! burns up
like gunpowder.
1t was terrible to see one Of my own
race dying thus in the lowest degrade
ton, like wretched savage, nursed by
an ignorant old barbarian only for the
sake of the money she knew we would
give her, more terrible as time went on,
and the poor parched lips never ceased
their childish, unintelligible chatter.
Oh, for bit of ice or anything to cool
that burning forehead! But nothing is
cool there, nothing but death.
So we sat in silence, with my he'll
met tanning the flushed face, so drawn
and haggard, which must have been
strong and handsome in health, and the
uUCUOT SN6I luloCu IllO hCoNy
head with the gentleness of woman
and gave medicine, while the old hag
crouched in q corner and mumbled to
herself, wondering if when the man was
dead she would get whole silver Pc
SO or not. Outside the brown people
chartered and laughed in their freedom
from care, now and then peering in with
curious faces and running away with
fresh shouts. Their turn might come
next, but little they cared. The present
was theirs for enjoyment of life. Never
mind tomorrow
Suddenly the tumult seemed to in
crease and concentrate farther down the
road. Then it began to approach, the
screams and happy laughter of children
mingled with the clearer tones of for
eigner's tongue, and as the crowd reach
4 ed the hut suddenly heard a familiar
voice saying: "There, little boy, don't
you be SO greedy. Let that little girl
have some. Amt it nice, John, to see
how they enjoy it?"
McGregor looked up in wonder, and
l rose and went to the door. There
found Captain Hale and his wife, sur
rounded by perfect horde of delighted
children, he tossing coppers about from
a canvas bag and she distributing can
dy, penny whistles and numerous odds
and ends from her huge basket, both
their faces perfect pictures Of the honest
pleasure which changed to such pro-
found amazement at the sight of me
that for moment a combined assault
by the native infantry on their basis Of
supplies was almost successful, only
prevented by vigorous use of the cap
tain's bamboo stick and Mrs. Hale's
Bingham umbrella
started to explain why I was there,
but before finished Mrs. Hale, with an
exclamation of, why, the poor fel.
low!" gave her basket whirl which
sent it's contents flying in every direc'
ton, thereby creating q scene of riot
which those peaceful tropic shades haG
never witnessed the like of, and theI
trotted straight into the hut, followed
by her husband, who bent his tall form
nearly double to enter the door.
The doctor rose and bowed with cour
tesy of so years ago as the motherly ole
lady bent down by the sufferers side
crying: ooh, the poor, poor fellow
Just see him, Johnp'
l moved in from the doorway, an(
2 the light of the setting sun fell on thu
invalid's face, and suddenly cry wen
up that rang through the tiny hove
? and far above the noisy clamor outside
"a cry from the depths of a mother
heart: "John Tather It's our Rufe
: our own boy! Oh, Rufy, Rufy, after al
these years."
: Step out softly, kind old doctor
Come with me and watch the sun go
ing down in all its tropical glory be
hind the great volcanic range if yol
can see it, for | cannot 1t is all blu
; to me. But can see this-a noble shil
at anchor in the bay with all sails bent
! ready to sail tomorrow and bear ava.
D., from this burning land one fever strick
en- to the cool breezes of the open sei
and sure recovery under his own moth
er's care. ..,.a.
= And bark to the bells of vespers thi
Christmas eve as they ring the warnin!
from church and gray cathedral, of tn
? glorious word they will tell tomorrow
: to men of every faith and creed, "Glor.
' to God in the highest, and on cart
: peace, good will toward men p'-Charle
Bryant Howard in Short Stories