The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-08-26
FROM THE WAYSIDE.
By FRANCES MOORE.

| Dr. Sllas W alSn Ono DAY sat IN DIS
Office readiug very interesting book
1t was part of his business, this read
ing. for the book was of science
within the scope of his profession. He
was comparatively young man, an6
had the reputation of being an excel
lent physician. While he read some
one rang at his office bell. He laid
aside his book and went to the door
and when he saw what was upon the
stepping stone he was indignant.
1t was ragged, dirty boy. known
in Ernsworth as Hammer JIM
ragged and dirty and With the vile
ness of the slums upon him-a boy
vicious and profane, against whom
every boy was warned-a boy who
was called thief and a villaio, whom
no efforts of the overseers had been
| able to reclaim, and who seemed to
care for nothing but to make people
| afraid of him. His true name, as the
overseers mad it, was James Ammer
ton. About his father nobody knew
in Ernsworth, his mother had died an
inmate of tie poor house.
On the present occasion, Jim's face
was not only dirty, but bloody: and
there was blood upon his grimmed
aud tattered garments.
please, sir, won't you fix my
head? I've got a hurt"
What kind Of hurt ?" asked the
doctor.
I'm afeared it's bad, sir" said the
boy sobbingly. "One of Mr. Dnnn's
men hit me with a rock Ohw
Nv hat did he hit you for?'
Il dunno, sir"
Yes, yon do know What did he
throw the stone at you for?"
why, sir, l was pick'n up an ap
pie under one of his trees"
Dr. Walsh would not touch the BOYS
head with his fingers There was no
need of it. He could see that there
was only scalp wound, and that the
blood had ceased to flow.
Go home, let the folks wash your
head and put on a clean bandage,"
he said.
please, sir, hain't got no home,
and | hain't got no folks"
You stop somewhere, don you?"
Il stop at the poor us when they
don't kick me out"
well, boy, you are not going to die
from this. Go and get somebody to
wash your head, OF, go and wash it
yourself and tie your handkerchief
on"
Please, sir, hain't got no."
Hold up. boy. / haven't got time
to waste You won't suffer if you go
as you are"
And with this DR.. Silas Walsh clos
ed the door and returned to his book
He had not meant to be unkind; but
really had not thought there was any
need of professional service on his
part; and he certainly did not want
that bad boy in his office
But DR.. Walah had not been alone
cognizant of the boys visit. There
had been witness at an upper win
dow. The doctors wife had seen and
heard. She was woman. She WAS
not strong and resolute, and dignifed
like her husband Her heart was not
only tender, but it was used to aching
She had no children living; but there
We're two little mounds in the church
yard which told her Of angels in hea-
ven that conld call her mother! Act
ing upon her impulse, as she WAS apt
to act, she slipped down and called
the boy in, by the back way, to the
wash-room. He came in rags, dirt and
all, wondering what was wanted. The
sweet voice that had called him had
not frightened hlm. He came in, and
stood looking at Mary Walsh. and as
he looked his sobbing ceased.
sit down, my boy"
He sat down.
IF | will help you, will you try to
be good?"
Il can't be good.'
Why not?"
cause l can't. 'Taint in me. Eve
rybody says So"
But can't you try?"
Il dunno"
IF | should help you, you would be
willing to try, to please me?"
"fes'm-I should, certain"
Mrs. Walsh brought basin of wa
ter and soft sponge, and with tender
hand she washed the boys head and
face. Then with pair of scissors,
she clipped the hair away from the
wound curling, handsome hair-and
found ii not bad one She brought
piece of sticking plaster. which She
fixed npon it. snd then she brushed
the hair back from the full brow. and
looked into the boys face not bad
face-not a mean face. Shutting ont
the rags and DIRT. it was really d
handsome face.
wv hats your name, my boyf"
1t Is down on the 'seers' books, mum.
as James Ammerton."
We'll, James, the hurt on your
head is not bad one, and if you are
careful not to rub off the plaster, it
will very soon heal up. Are you
hungry
please, ma'am, l haven't eat moth
ing today"
Mrs. Walsh brought out some bread
and butter. and cup of milk. and al
lowed the boy to sit there 10 the wash
room and eat And while be ate she
watched him narrowly, scanning every
feature Surely, if the science OF
physiognomy, which her husband
studied SO much, and with such faith
was reliable, this boy ought to have
grand capacities. Once more shutting
out the rags and filth, and only OBJ.
serving the hair, now glossy and wav
ing from her dexterous manipulations
over shapely head, and marking ths
face, with its eyes of lustrous gray
and the perfect nose, and the mouth
Ikea Cupid's bow, and the chin strong
without being unseemly-seeing this
without the 1regs, the boy was hand
some.
Jim finished eating, and stood up.
James" said the little womon-
for she was little woman, and per
feet picture of q loving end lovablt
little woman-''James,v when you art
hungry, and have nothing To eat i