Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-05-26
and struggled WITH i wy,d look into a

And struggled with Wild look into d
half-erect position.
whats all this." he groaned.
Where am II"
Its all right, Mr.. Scott replied
familiar voice. you are with friend.
Better lie down awhile TIL you feel bet
ter"
Tom looked at him In bewildered
fashion, blinking his eyes in the glare
of the lamp which the third man held
close to him.
"Mr. Green!" he said, wonderingly.
Yes, sir" replied the second mate
OF the Seabird, "it's me. ! happened
along just in time. Are you hurt much?
Let me look at your head"
"My head?" repeated Tom, who had
no clear conception Of where he was or
whether he was asleep or awake.
"Yes," replied his rescuer, lifting the
hair on the top OF his head as he spoke
You were knocked down on the street
and found you there. I was going
down to the vessel after some things /
left there and I stumbled over man
on the sidewalk. I had no idea it was
you, but l couldn't let a chap lie there
in the mud, SO we took you in here.
This is my room. I've left the Seabird.
you know. I'm off for the gold mines
in the Klondike if can get there"
The last word acted like magic upon
Tom.
1.-The Klondike!" he repeated. "Yes,
remember. 1t all comes to me now. I
forgot where was. remember now
was attacked on the street! Some
body came up behind and struck mel"
That's it. Then came along and
found you. You've got an ugly cut on
the head, but l don't think it will
amount to anything after you rest
awhile. There is no doctor round here
that l know of, and I'll just put bit
Of plaster on it for you if you don't
mind You can get it looked at to-mor-
row if you want to-
The third man held the light while
this was done and then left the second
mate with his patient, who asked:
"Who was that?"
II hire this room Of him." was the
reply. He helped me bring you in
from the street."
"iou are very good" said Tom, "but
it's late and I'm keeping you outof your
bed"
AS he spoke he tried to rise, but the
other restrained him.
you are not well enough yet" he
said, kindly. "Betterrest awhile. Did
you lose anything when you were
struck? Have you watch or money
| Tom interrupted, him with q hoarse
cry and sat bolt upright.
MY belt!" he painted, wildly.
His hands went to his waist and
then the full force, of his loss burstupon
him.
1t was gone!
The unfortunate young man looked
stupidity at the sailor a moment, ther
he broke into meaningless daughter ant
fell back upon the bed. The blow hat
robbed him of his scattered senses nnt
he tainted.
When the doctor reached his side {
few hours later, Tom was suffering
AAOhA DAoiAl 4SNCA cOuh uOp W
moved. The second mate had sum
moned Capt. Coffin and. now turned t,
him, saying:
1--WE can't leave him ,alone and with
out cent. was going to try my lucl
up north in the mines, but hang me j
III leave him this way I'm going t
stay alongside the poor Chap till he get
we'll or dies, if it takes every red "
got!"
Put it there.e roared the, bluff oil
skipper, holding out his hard fist
You're man, you are. Butt there
plenty of money belonging to'him i
my safe, and you needn't use accent Q
yours. See he has the best care an
call on me for the pay when you nee
it,"
That afternoon the northern trai
included obed Rider among its passer
gers. while Tom Scott tossed uneasil
from side to side, rambling on abou
secret trails and gold mines until III
stout sailor by his side, shook his hea
sorrowfully as he glanced at the burr
ing cheeks and growledr
I'm afraid the poor fellow has &c
his discharge"
To be continued