The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-08

/ -
matter; but next morning. true TO his
| promise. he called at the Infirmary, and
| found Billy as well as could be expected,
and likely 10 be allowed out of the place
! In few days. though his broken arm
would t;.ae week or two 10 mend with
uncommon tact the old man produced
neither Bible nor tracts, but instead talk
ed long and kindly 90 the urchin about
the life he led and the future before hirl
all OF which Billy endured with praise
worthy patience. But when the proposal
came to go into the Industrial school and
be made an honest man OF. Billy struck
out most stoutly. lie couldn't and
wouldn't 80 against his fathers wishes
his father would kin him il he tried A.;
and he didn't want 10 be killed.
just then the father. In the person Of
Sam GouRer. appeared az the bedside He
had heard only that morning OF the acct
dent, and had run all the way in great
excitement 10 the Inhrmary. as the ver-
sion OF the story he had received was
that the boy was dying. The moment
matters were explained 10 him at the bed
side by the nurse OF the ward. he drew
a long breath Of relief. wiped the sweat
from his brow. and said 70 his SON
You. young villain, walt till you're bet
ter and I'll break every bone in your
bodyl"
Then he noticed for the first time the
EFuAltlid NHp .ntn rttftu MS Soil llltt
and was about 20 frame few words of
thanks. when he was observed by Mr..
Barclay TO start violently, and suddenly
become dumb. with his eyes slmost jump
ing from their sockets as they remained
chained 10 that gentlemans mild and
pleasing features.
'Well. I'm id / didn't look for this!"
he at length managed 20 blurt out Ia
hOarse and half-choked whisper
ssANa have mot befOre \ da rcoarr III
Mr.. Barclay. with a kindly smile and nod
Perhaps you've seen me visiting about
some of the closes?"
"Oh. don't mention st." slowly gasped
Gouger with n violent effort. "It amt
worth while speakin' OF IL. ii thought
I'd see another kind of cove altogether
I'm very much obliged 10 you for saving
the boys life. though; may / be blanked
into the blankest blank IL I'm not
there" And while he uttered these words
In "a fearfully earnest tone. he seized the
hand Of the gentleman and wrung IL till
II ached. 'Ye see | like the little var
mint-it's material / should, seeing he's
the only. one I've got. and tnere. I'm sor-
| ry--blanked sorry--I mean glad-blow
me II know what I'm saying. Well |
deserve seven years for it-Tm blanked If
i dontH'
I'm sure you're heartily welcome 10
the little service | was enabled 10 rem
der" responded Mr.. Barclay; but in
reality you owe IL more TO an accident
which detained me little longer in the
close than / had expected. l was assault
ed and robbed n moment or two before"
"Imphm-yes-I think / know something
about that" said Gouger. i'm abject con-
fusion and shame. "And the man that
did II deserves to be burned alive-sacrl-
fled with a red-hot poker-thats about
itv'
'Oh. nonsensev' exclaimed the old gem
tleman. I'm kindly demur. i've no doubt
he'll reproach himself for II some day
but IL shows US how an apparent mis-
/ fortune sometimes turns out great
blessing"
"a great-a very great blessing" echoed
|. Gouger with a painful gasp, as II each
word choked him. "And you lost some
thing, | daresay-a watch, maybe, and a
chaln?"
II did. indeed; but I don't regret the
loss now"
well. I'll try TO get them back for
you" said Sam Gouger, with remarkable
firmness and determination. mind,
don't say I'll manage II, cause that TN
natural brute that did it"--and he doubled
up his fists and htt himself violently en-
the breast, for want of better mark
as IL seemed-"that villain would most
uhtig idht ilittH 10 a. ItINt, uNu
get so much for them. Then most likely,
all he got. or nearly ALL will be spent
by this time; ana how the dickens Is he
| TO get IL back without money"
II purposely refrained from informing
the police OF the loss, for fear | might
have TO appear as witness against the
| thief and perhaps be the means OF i'm
| prisonlng him for lfe.r said Mr.. Bar
| clay in explanation; and he then went
! on to explain the nature Of his work
| among the lapsed classes. all Of which
made Gouger eroan aloud. AS II suddenly
| smtten with contrition for the wicked
ness OF the class to which he belonged
Influence be blowedt" he said, with
energy. I'D have set McGoyan after the
villain the very minute | was robbed,
| What n softy you are, 10 be sure, and
| he gave you punch In tho stomick, tool
| Well, hope that watch and chainll burn
| into him night and day till you sets
| thcm back agqin."
After expressing himself In many such
forcible speeches ps these Sam Gouger
shook Mr.. Barclay By the hand and took
his departure. still squaring out at an
| imaginary thief as he went, and always
turning the blows I'm upon his own breast
AS soon as he was outside the lnnrmary
gate, he walked slowly and medltatively
up Go high land OF houses In tho Lawn
market, ana presented himself at the bus
| mess premises OF fence called David
| Binnle
Sent that watch and chain away yet
Davc7' he inquiringly began.
Now Dave was man OF caution. and
never committed himself in any answer
he made
"Why?'
:" Cause | want you Go lets have then
back again. and IN make II up TO yo'
in some other way. seeing as the money
an DONE said Coueer II find l tool
thcm-hy mistG ke--from a kind cove tha
goes about DON gotd and who save'
little Hllly's lie not ten minutes after"
ct 1fs too thin. SAID Dave sharply
81 " der you'd try thcm tricks on al
old hand Nc mo " the old cove's -
good. Jet him stump up ten pounds 10
the two, and it's a bargain I don't sa,
] have them still by mo- but 7 can &c
them. doresay n the moneys brought,
II couldn't ask hipi-Td sooner sot SIC
Govan on 20 you and your little do.ng'
and stand seven years for Il my self sal
Gouger, with calmncas that alarmc
the fence I'D hc ? brute n lot hin
lose by it--but YOU? You're ablc TO stan
a little loss out Of what you've mad
on me so speak fair and do the hes