Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-02-01
NAV be hurt bad"

may be hurt badl"
AS he spoke Tom noaned and stirred
upon the bed. Then he opened his eyes
and struggled with a wild look into a
half-erect position.
whats all this" he groaned.
where am II"
Its all right, Mr.. Scott" replied a
familiar voice. You are with friend.
Better lie down awhile till 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. Greenl" he said, wonderingly.
Eyes, sir" replied the second mate
OF the Seabird, tits 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. | was going
down 10 the vessel after some things
left there ard l stumbled over man
on the sidewalk. I had no idea ii was
you, but couldn't let chap lie there
in the mud. so we took YOU in here
This is my room. I've left the Seahird
you know. I'm Oft for the gold mires
in the Klondike if | can get there"
The last word acted like magic upon
Tom.
The Klondike!" he repeated. Yes,
| remember. 1t all comes TO me now. |
forgot where was. remember now
l 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 ! don't think it will
amount to anything after you rest
awhile. There is no doctor round here
that | know Of, and I'll just put bit
of plaster on it for you if you don't
mind. You can get il looked at to-mor-
row if YOU want to-"
The third man held the ligh; while
this was done and then left the second
mate with his patient, Who asked:
who was that?'
IL hire this room of him." was the
reply. "IIe helped me bring YOU in
from the street.
You are very good" said Tom, but
it's late and I'm keeping you out Of your
bed"
As he spoke he tried to rise, but the
other restrained him.
you are not well enough yet" he
said, kindly. Better rest awhile. Did
you lose anything when you were
struck? Have you watch or money"
Tom interrupted him with 4 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 burst upon
him.
1t was gone!
The unfortunate young man looked
stupidly at the sailor a moment, then
he broke into meaningless laughter and
fell back upon the bed. The blow had
robbed him Of his scattered senses and
he tainted.
When the doctor reached his side a
few hours later, Tom was suffering
from brain fever and could not be
moved. The second mate had sum-
moned Capt. Coffin and now turned to
him, saying:
1--WE can't leave him alone and with
out cent. l was going 10 try my luck
up north in the mines, but hang me if
I'll leave him this way. I'm going to
stay alongside the poor chap till he gets
well or dies, if it takes every red I've
got!"
"put ii there!" roared the BLUM old
skipper, holding out his hard fist.
You're man, you are. But there's
plenty Of money belonging TO him in
my safe. and you needn't use a cent Of
yours. See he has the best care ard
call on me for the pay when you need
it,"
That afternoon the northern train
included Obed Rider among its passen-
gers, while Tom Scott tossed uneasily
from side 10 side, rambling or about
secret trails ana gold mines until the
stout sailor by his side shook his head
sorrowfully as he glanced at the burn
ing cheeks and growled:
I'm afraid the poor fellow has got
his discharge"
Continued ,avt txoaly \