The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1903-06-26
JIM'S PAL.
BY WALTER j. WELLS.
cOo<

had better not see strangers, as talk
ing may do HARM"
But I am Jim's PAL" said Dick
Manwaring, simply.
"Then are you the gentleman who
brought him home after the acct
dent?" asked the nurse, eagerly.
'Of. course" replied Dick. eve
were coming away from business
together, and Jim slipped as he
jumped from the bus, and in a mo-
ment light van was over him. He
did not seem seriously hurt, and I
lifted him into hanson. I should
have taken him to an hospital, I sup
pose, but he asked to be driven to
his diggings. The doctor seemed to
think it was only shock and that
there were no bones broken. You
are the nurse, I expect, that he
promised to send. the first thing this
morning?"
Il came just after you had Left"
said the nurse. "Mr. Ramsey has
been asking for you all day, even
when he was delirious."
In few minutes Dick was by his
friends bedside.
'Well, old chap, feeling better, eh?"
he asked cheerily.
Eyes, I'm better, Dick, but I feel
sore all over. I shall go to business
tomorrow, however"
go to busines3!" exclaimed Dick;
"why, good heavens, man, you won't
be able to go to business for
month. I've told old Skinner all
about the smash-up, and he said how
sorry he was, that you were to get
we'll over it, and it was lucky you
weren't killed. Even told me to pay
you your months money in case you
were short of cash.
THAT is very good of him." said
the patient, softly.
"And do you know, Jim, I've been
thinking, and want you to make me
a promise. Have you ever written
to your mother since you left her,
five years ago."
':No," replied Jim, with slight
flush.
II don't want to ask disagreeable
questions, Jim, old boy" continued
Dick, taking his hand, ''but was the
quarrel so terrible that neither can
forgive? Are you sure, Jim, you
were not in the wrong?"
IL was in the wrong" Jim said,
YEARLY. II was fool. I thought I
was a man and I resented being tied
to my mothers apron-strings. I was
was 21. I wanted to see life. I
wanted the few hundred pounds the
poor old dad had left me, and 1 said
'shewas trying to steal, or had stolen,
it from me. I think that nearly broke
her heart. The next day she gave
me the money and said, DO as you
think best, Jim, but when you have
seen life and when the money has
gone, come back to me- With
sheer I told her would take care
of my own, and in a year or two
probably make fortune: but in less
than six months it was gone. had
gambled it away at cards and rae
ing"
II Know" said Dick, quietly; land
now, Jim, as soon as you can move
I want you to go back to her-to
have a fortnight in the old home-to
be her boy again. Remember, Jim,
how a mother loves"
Jim turned restlessly and his lip
quivered slightly.
II can't go back now," he said,
presently. 1T would be too mean to
return now"
Manwaring was not the man to
spoil a good impression by too much
talk. He gave Jim's hand squeeze
and changed the conversation to
other subjects. Presently he said:-
We've been pretty busy in the
Office today. The auditors came this
morning."
1.-THE auditors!" cried Jim. "Why,
they are not due till next week.
II know" said Dick, "but they have
altered their date. Funny thing, too,
old Skinflint came out this morning
and asked for your address. Going to
send you a handsome check, perhaps"
"Perhaps," murmured Jim, huskily;
and then, when a sharp rat-tat came
to the door, he started up wildly and
whispered, "Tell them I'm not here,
Dick
''Why, it's letter." cried Dick, a
moment afterwards. ..Redirected
from the ofice.''
With trembling hand Jim grasped
it, and then, after CHANGING at the
envelope, sank back on the pillow
with q sigh. Dick, alarmed at his
deadly whiteness, called the nurse,
and she gave him little brandy.
I'm better now," said Jim, when
she had left the room. "See what's
in the letter, Dick
1t was from the family doctor, and
ram
Dear Mr.. Ramsey:-I have Just
learned by chance of your where
abouts, and am writing Immediately
to tell you that your mother is
dangerously ill. Perhaps you know
she is now blind, and we were hoping
shortly to operate on her for ,cata-
ract. Il regret to say, however, she
is sinking fast, and if you would see