The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-04-23

would have made this the subject for
a vigilance committees attentions.
When a social duty of this sort was
under consideration rope was usually
at hand where it could be found when
| wanted"
"Of course" said the selectman hasti-
ly. 1--WE don't intend to 90 that far"
The young man smiled.
"But the vigilance committee idea
suits YOU"
"The idea Of committee to visit the
old man suits me-"
"Good," said the young man. "There
can be no harm in that"
"And you'll join us?'
Eyes"
Tomorrow night"
Eyes"
"Wc'll meet at the church st S
O'clock"
Every we'll"
The selectman paused
"And will you lead u.s."
"If you desire it." said the young
minister.
And so 1t happened that the first vigi-
lance committee that Wi1terfeld had
ever known plodded determinedly, al
though at a leisurely pace, up the long
hill in the bright moonlight. and finally
entered the old mans yard and halted
before the ancient cottage. And it was
the tall young minister who advanced
ard pcered through the lighted Win
/ dow.
There was brief pause.
Then the tall young minister turned
to the others.
Come" he said in whisper.
He raped lightly on the door. Wait
ing but moment he opened it and
passed in, with the others following
him.
The door opened Immediately into the
big living room Of the cottage, COM
Portable apartment with a great fire
place with a log burning on the huge
andirons, log that sent out the flicker
ing light that had Illuminated the win
dow.
The old man was there, seated In a
low chair by the fireplace. He looked
up as the committee entered, but
showed no surprise.
He only nodded and then held up his
hand with slight warning gesture.
The boy was in cushioned chair by
the old mans side. His head with its
long light hair was pillowed against
the old mans shoulder. He sat at
such an angle that the committee could
see the little white face, and the long
white hands, and the closed eyes. The
boy was asleep. ~
But even as they stared at this pie
ture the child stirred uneasily.
Daddy" he cried, daddy"
1t was cry Of terror. .....
Eyes, yes, dear boy, am here" said
the Old man gently as he patted the
white cheek. The big eyes opened
wider and rested on the old mans face.
The pale lips parted in q sigh.
II had bad dream, daddy" he MUIR
INJURED. :
Eyes, dear boy. But it was only
dream"
II dreamed they were beating me
again, daddy"
'They will never beat you again, dear
boy"
The child was silent for a moment.
Then he sighed again. This time 1t
was a sigh of contentment.
Daddy" he softly said, "it's like
heaven to be sick, isn't it,"
The old man stroked the white hands
tenderly.
"There's a little pain again in my
shoulder, daddy" said the boy. 'If
you'll rub it just little it will go away
and then can Sleep"
The old man reached across and
gently stroked the ailing arm and the
tired eyelids slowly closed.
Presently the stroking ceased and the
old man looked up. The committee
were grouped about the door, each man
with his hat in his hand and they were
all very still.
"The child has been ill.," said the old
man softly. "He has had fever, the
result Of his malarial surroundings and
of Ill treatment. But he is much bet
ter, and will, please God, live to be a
strong and healthy child. have nursed
him through this illness, because felt
competent to do it-I am a graduate of
medical school-and because in his
timid and nervous condition the sight
OF a strange face would have greatly
retarded his recovery" He paused
and gently shifted the child's head
into a more comfortable position, and
then one of the little hands crept into
the brown and rugged one and stayed
there. He looked up again, but bsfore
he could speak the tall young pastor
had stepped forward.
"A1r MoXham," he said, in his deep,
low tones, these gentlemen are a self
appointed committee who have called