Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-13
The Head of the House.


carried him up the stairs and along
the wide corridor to the surgical ward.
I was on duty there at the time. and
watched the case from the beginning.
which, perhaps. accounted for my
keen interest in it. The examination
downstairs had been longer than
usual, and had evidently quite OK
hausted him. AS they carried him
past me- | felt certain for the mo-
ment that he was dead.
Presently Mr.. Heathoote, the house
surgeon, came in and told me all
about il.
Works in brewery in the Wal
worth Road: been run over by one Of
the drays-bad fracture collar bone
broken: looks bad, doesn't he?'
Indeed he does. Any internal mis-
chief"
Il don't think there is. but Wen see
by-and-by. Now. III leave him with
you. We're full downstairs. never
had so many accidents in one day in
my time
There isn't any fog" l said, glanc-
ing at window illumined by a CLEAN
of wintry sun.
mo, it's an epidemic of 'em. that's
all. Haven't you noticed it happen
like that. and generally when were
short of hands,"
nodded, and went to see after my
patient. He was n lad about fourteen.
judging from his height, yet his face
looked distinctly older.
1t was face Indigenous to the poor
quarters of large cities. thin. lined.
haggard old before its time. not
l.,,e
rather by shrewdness and sharpness,
the face of one who had long waged
war against serious odds. 1t was
very pale then. and the thin lashes
swept the cheek which showed
rather n sharpened outline. His
clothing was poor but very clean.
pictured him the darling of some
respectable. hard working mother.
who liked to show 4 brave face to the
world. But soon learned that he
had, in the meantime. neither father
nor mother to care for or be anxious
about him--that. in fact. he was the
sole head of the house. We We're
very anxious about him all day, and
Katie, who was on night duty, told
me next morning that once or twice in
the night she got q fright with HIM.
ever, he looked decidedly better. and
I could put few questions TO him
without fear.
Perhaps you II tell us your name.
sir, after this long sleep I said
cheeriy. 80 that We can relieve the
anxiety of those at home"
""Ow long ave ! bin ere" he
asked in tone of quite painful eager
ness.
only since yesterday. Don't you
remember anything about it,
only gettin' among the 'Osses feet.
1t was JimS fault. miss, but don't ee
go fur ter split on i'm. | wouldn't like
ter git i'm inter trouble on account o
the missus."
What missus.''
why, Jim's mssus. in course. She's
a rare goo un. an bin kind to Sally
an the kids
An awful and absurd thought
flashed through me. Was 1t possible
that this under sized youth could al
ready have taken upon himself the
responsibilities Of married life?
Many ? strange tale of East End life
had come within my ken, and the
thing was within the limits of posi-
bility. My patients next words how
ever. dispeled my absurd fear.
'Sallys my sister Oh. I say, as
ANYBODY bin ter tell 'er? If they amt.
she'll be takin on something dread
full
We'll, seeing we have only this
minute learned who you are. l don't
suppose anybody has gone to tell
Sally" said gently. but l dareSay
she'll be here herself today to see
you"
But I must git up and go ONE" he
cried little wildly. They amt got
ANYBODY ter look arter 'em. Sally an
the kids 'cep' only me. Carn't git
up now?"
mo, you can't. nor for good many
days to come. Don't you know it was
q miracle you escaped with your life
1t was Just touch and go"
NV serious words. however. did not
seem to leave much impression on his
mind and the worried look deepene6
on his face.
Now look here, Tommy. Is youi
name Tommy"
At this watery smile fiickered
across his pale face.
Now. what dyer think? Do I look
like a bloomin' Tommy" and h'
laughed Evidently my new patien
had a sense Of humor which woul'
help him over this rough place. a:
doubtless it had helped him over many
another.
well, what is your name?"
"Joe-Joe Deacon. at your service
miss"
well. Mr.. Joe Deacon. what you've
got to devote your mind to is to iyinf
still and getting better. Do Vol
hear"
II ears miss. But I wants te'
know fust ow Ion" I'll need ter stor
ere. It's along q Snl'v an the kids.
How many kids?" I asked. t" Iii
vert his mind from the question I hat
not 1t in INV power to answer.
"Two-little Rue and tho hby. and
Ior' luv yer. 'e's a perky kid
Although felt deeply interested 7 W.
Obliged to restrain him from f"~'h'
speech and nr"~"ntlv Nv. Hoath"o'
came in to nav his mor,inp visit T.
report was favorable, and. un'"ST cOr,rl'
cations should arise. Toes nharce ~ -
coverv was assured. He Client the wv =,
morninp and I had no chance Of anothr
word with him.
II was very hrev dav I'm N o.
o'clock I was bard Il A. II w
possib,e FOR : f',-an vow" he IN
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