The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-09-08

/ Don't she want to wall?" he de-
manded. There's nobody but her and
me, and suppose something d happen
TO me and she'd he left by herself?
| Could she go on sitting up there alone
and nobody to do anything for her?
Amt we alone in the world-father
and mother both dead?"
Thus they went into the store. and
in a few minutes more they were on
their way TO Mamie.
To see her white face light M when
she spied them from her window, to
hear her exclamation when Carter
showed her what he had for her!
/ "Oh. Tom she said And you've
saved for year to get it," She pulled
his face down to hers. Il never told
you, but I've wanted to walk SO much
! And now I'll learn all over again And
maybe l can go and find better paying
work, for if you'd get sick or be laid off
/ at the factory what should we do with
| the little l earn? Oh. Tom, what dear
fellow yOttarer'
But Carter was glOOmier than ever.
'Now," he said, 'Tll go and get Mrs.
Willett to help you put the apparatus
on. It's perfectly simple. You see. this
bandage is on top at the back. and this
stay comes down behind"
/ Briggsy left them and went to his
| own room, though he did not get his
supper, as he should have done. He sat
down and thought Soon he heard Ma
ME laughing with glee and could hear
her making her first attempt at walk
ing, clumsily, heavily, but taking a step
nevertheless.
Yes" said Briggsy, pounding his
! hand on the table; "I'll do it." 1t was
a firm resolution and yet it did not ell
able him to make preparations for his
supper. Instead for some time he sat
there in the dark and never once raised
his head
Then all at once he heard a strange
clamping sound outside his door And
there was Mamie, Carts arm around
her, positively standing upright.
Il thought I'd pay you call" she
said. It's just grand! I'll learn to
walk in no time. And then what holt
days We'll have! Wen go to the coun-
try and see the trees and the birds or
downtown to look at the parades. I'll
soon learn, only I'm bit nervous Just
now. And, Mr.. George Briggs, I've
come to invite you to take supper with
us. Wen celebrate the day"
OF course Briggsy went
I'll get some cakes" said Carter and
/ disappeared
She was lively all the evening, SO
lively that it was a wonder her brother
remained gloomy and at last said he
had forgotten something and must 81
out. Briggsy also left the room.
Going with me?" Carter asked. I'm
not feeling very well, and a walk II
help me-"
Briggsy said he believed he'd go to
his own room.
GO if you want to-" growled Carter
and went down the stairs.
Briggsy had hard night of it. He
scarcely slept at all. Once he said:
anybody III believe it was me- I'm
only a charity child. I'll do it."
In the morning he had no desire for
breakfast. He did not wait for Carter,
but went off alone an hour too early to
| go to work. He walked the streets till
the factory whistle sounded and then
went to the room where he and Carter
and ten other men worked together.
Briggsy was the last to arrive, and
/ the door had scarcely closed upon him
when it opened to admit the ''old man"
| His name was Hallett, and lie was a
fine old fellow, very well liked by the
employees. He was of stout build, with
round, smooth boyish face, and he
had scanty gray hair which stood up
in little tufts. 1t was said that these
tufts stiffened like the hair on a cats
back when he was angry. On this par
ticular morning they were in a strange
tangle, as if he had been rubbing them
in some dire strait of perpleXity, and
his manner was characterized by EN-,
! barraSSment
Er-gentlemen," he began, there's
a matter | want to speak to you about
this morning." He paused and stretch
ed his collar with his fingers as if it
choked him. ''To make a long story
short" he continued, with a great eff
fort, 81 dropped some money in this
room yesterday afternoon. Now, don't
say word. I'm not mistaken about it.
l wish l were. The money was drop
ped right here-fve ten dollar bills in
roll. The room has been searched.
and the moneys gone. Somebody's got
it. Now, don't want to be harsh.
know the temptation. Perhaps the
man who found it didn't know it was
mine Well say he didn't know where
it came from. He just found it and
PUT it into his pocket.
"Well, what shall we do about it? If
he keeps it any longer he'll be a thief,
and he'll be putting eleven honest men
under unjust suspicion. He ought to
give it back for the honor of his fellow
workmen. And l say this If he brings
it back today that'll be the end of the
matter" Then the old man went out.
There was a brief silence, and then Car
ter said in a low voice so charged with
guilt that Briggsy looked around in Won
der at the men who seemed to have no
ears:
Its a mistake. He never dropped it
here"