The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-04-29

Daddy" lie cried, "daddyw
II was cry Of terror.
"Yes, 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 Sigh.
~ had bad dream, daddy" he MUIR
INJURED.
"Yes, dear boy. But 1t was only a
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 II
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 little pain again in my
shoulder. daddy" said the boy. "If
you'll rub II Just little 1t will go away
and then can Sleep"
The old man reached across and
gently strobed 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.
1.-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 n
strong and healthy child. I have nursed
him through this illness, because / felt
competent to do it, am graduate of
q medical school-and because in his
timid and nervous condition the sight
Of 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 before
he could speak the tall young pastor
had stepped forward.
"Mr. Moxham," he said, in his deep,
low tones, "these gentlemen are a self
appointed committee who have called
upon you in neighborly way with the
desire Of proffering such aid as you
may require. They have been worried
and even alarmed by your non-appear-
ance in the village and are here be.
cause they felt 1t was high time that
they asserted their humanity. We are
not demonstrative people in Winter.
field. We act slowly, but when we do
act we are thoroughly in earnest. And
I speak for each member Of this com.
mittee, SIR. and for all the village, too,
when 1 say that IL there is aught we
can do to help you in any way you can
command us to the utmost limit of our
resources"
He paused and the old man slowly
nodded.
II thank you, Mr.. Browning" he
said, "and thank you all, gentlemen.
But at present there is nothing 1 need.
Should any occasion arise, will be
glad to call upon you" And his head
dropped again over the child.
There was n moments pause.
Good night, SIR" said the tall young
minister.
There was a little murmur Of good
nights behind him.
Good night and my thanks" said
the old man.
And the Wlnterfleld vigilance COM
mittee passed out.
1t was the young pastor who broke
the silence as they strobe down the
hill.
I'VE have misjudged this old man."
he said. II believe I am free to say
so. 1t was a dreadful domestic calam.
ity that brought him to this state. 1t
humbled his pride, 1t crushed his am.
bition. He crept away here to hide
his wounded soul. And yet he has not
entirely forgotten his fellow creatures.
A great institution for the care of
child waits fiourishes in the city
through his liberality. And I hold in
my hands goodly sum for the benefit
OF our village poor, thank offering for
the recovery of his daughters child.
Yes, that is her child. And under Prov.
idence l fervently hope to see 1t the
means of dra .ying him back among
|, his fellow men," He paused and half
turned. "Oh, my brethren" he said.
never let charity lose its place in your
hearts.
They trudged on in silence until the
parsonage was reached.
They paused at the gate. ''r' =
"Gentlemen," said the selectman, as
he glanced around, 81 move that the
Winterfield vigilance committee do now
adjotirn sine die"
Then each man went his way.-Cleve.
, land Plain-Dealer.
III A German Autodrome.