Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-01-21

railroad bridge spanning the gorge be-
tween two hills. The tops of the high
pine trees, which grew down in the
valley below the cliffs, reached nearly
TO the rails of the bridge and it was
a thrilling sight to see the trains crawl
along in the air over the tree-topS, twist
about like Il serpent. and then thunder
down the slope on the left side OF the
ridge.
But the passing trains had another
interest for the young Mowrles be-
sides this picturesque one. Now and
then a passenger threw Il newspaper
out of the window, and to Alvra md
little lame Hiram such find" was
always acceptable.
Since her mothers death the house
hold duties and the care of Hiram had
devolved on Alvira, preventing her
from taking advantage of the short
school term. Mr.. Mowrie was employ
ed on one of the river boats. and his
trips often compelled him to remain
away from home for three or four
weeks at Il time.
The Mowries did not own farm.
Their place was a scrubby half-acre on
The top of the cliff, and their house a
mere hut Of unhewn logs with two
little loft chambers above the single
downstairs room.
70 the newspapers thrown from the
passing trains Alvira and Hiram were
much indebted for what they knew
of the world beyond the cliffs, and the
village of Cresswell, about four miles
distant. How they enjoyed the stories
that occasionally fell into their hands!
When these were of the continued"
kind they would amuse themselves
imagining the conclusions.
At present the story that interested
them most was one about a lame boy,
who had seemed to be in fair way of
getting well when the story broke off
in the latest number of the paper.
Say, Niry." Hiram would sometimes
you s'pose that lame boy ever got
well?"
Yes. thought it was working round
that way, IIiram," Alvira would an
swcr hopefully.
lliram's lameness was the result of II
fall over the rocks ut the railroad
bridge, and the village doctor had pro-
nounccd it incurable. The knee was
bent at an angle. and the boy could
move about only on crutcheS.
llnn SItnInnp u nftnInnnn a thn
of the locomotives whistle echoed in
the distance, Alvira came into the
house with II single page of n newspa-
per in her hand. 1t had evidently held
some ones luncheon. but Alvira brush
ed away the crumbs carefully and
smoothcd out the wrinkles.
81 guess, Hiram" she said in her
motherly way, glancing over the pre-
cious bit of paper. you'll find two or
three whole pieces here, and some ad-
VertSemcntS."
The boy took the bit of newspaper
from his sisters hand, and was soon
quietly absorbing its contents. Mean
while. Alvira lnbored over II garment
that she was trying to cut and fashion
without any pattern. She was tail,
strengthening girl of II, straight as an
arrow, and pretty in spite of her i'll
fitting clothes. Presently Hiram broke
out with n cry of delight:
20, Viry! Hurrah!"
what is it, Hiram?" asked Alvira
eagerly, dropping her scissors with Il
rattlng noise, ait isn't the continuation
of that story about the lame boy, is it?'
It's better than that, Viry! Just
look! Here's piece about n real doc
tor that cured real boy! o, Niry, if
l could only get well!'
With Il great hope stirring in her
heart, Alvira took the page and pro-
ceeded to read the article that Hiram
had pointed out. 1t was entitled "A
Triumph of Modern Surgery" and it
detailed how certain Dr. Delmore
had performed successfully difficult
and dangerous operation on lame
child.
why, this is the best thing l ever
heard of, Hiram" she said delighted.
ly, when she had finished reading.
I'm going right away to Mrs. Cap
ner's to ask her about this DIR. Del
more. guess Mrs. Capner'll know"
And she put away her sewing hastily
and set forth without delay. The Cap.
ner house was situated ON the other
side of the woods, about half way be.
tween the Mowrie house and Cress
well. Alvira had great respect for
Mrs. Capner and for her opinions
When she was in perplexity about any.
thing 1t was always to Mrs. CapneI
that she went,