Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-07-07


Where they cure people,
Where they cut them up" the boy
persisted. Il know a man who wen
and had his hand cut of
Perhaps he'd have died If they
hadn't cut it off Wouldn't you rather
lose hand or foot than die?e
There was quick, indrawn breath
But thai was the only sign Of emotion
Beppo showed
Can | come back tomorrow II they
cut on my hand OF foot7" he demanded.
"of course, it'll hurt, but | don't care
for that
NO, not to-morrow-not for several
weeks. I'm afraid. But # all goes well,
you'll come back some time. Can we do
anything for you?"
Beppo did not answer for some min
utes. His gaze left them and sought his
push cart.
Il s'pose you'll have to take care Of
that, he said, presently. "The fruit
won't keep, of course, but maybe you
can sell it to somebody for half price.
And there's another thing, You know
where | liye?"
NO"
Beppo's gaze wandered again until II
found very small boy peeping at him
with frightened eyes from behind a by
stanuer. II was one of his old friends.
Hello, swipesy," he called, forcing
sudden gayety into his voice. Don't
you look so scared. boy, I'm all right"
Then to the policeman who had bought
fruit from him: "swipesy'll show you
where | live. He knows. He STAYED
with me once, You'll sort Of look out
for my folks till get back. I'll pay you.
The cartll sell for something, and then
there's the fruit. and I've got ten dollars |
saved up In the boys bank. You keep |
count Of every cent you spend, sharp |
~, cause I'll pay. There's the am
ouianee now, I s'pose. as a wagon drove
up rapidly, turned, and then backed to
the curb, We'll" his voice still steady. |
I'm all ready. Sorry | cant take you
to ride with me, Swipesy, but 'twouldnt
be any fun for you"
As soon as he was off duty the police
man went with Swipesy to Beppos home.
What he saw he reported to the COM
panion OF his beat the next day
Seven sick boys" he snorted, in or
Ter TO keep his voice steady, "and three
If EN- cripples, and the oldest not over
en- One cripple told me he'd been with
5eppo ever since be could remember.
Ahd | called that boy young mfseri
seems like he's been picking up weak
md sick boys and taking care Of them
ust like an old maid gathers up cats.
md he commenced when he WASH I much
more than baby himself. Maybe he
vas remembering his own hard start. /"
he policeman walked ON by his friends
ide for half block in silence. then add
d: "Bellew, the department store man
N the next block, asked me about him
lst now, and when told all knew. he
aid for me to bring Beppo to him Just
s soon's he got out the hospital. that a
oy with nerve and head like that had
o business TO be pushing a fruit cart
ound. | wouldn't wonder If he tried
get Beppo into something better"
Two months later Beppo presented
imself at the police station. on leg was f
one, and he was hobbling on a crutch
hich the hospital had given him, but
hitch he declared he should pay for.
MY cart here?" he asked.
YES"
We'll. ! want to sell 1t for what I can I
et and let II help pay you folks up. m {
ay the rest before long. | don't s'pose !
le carts rotted down from old age vet"
ayly
What do you intend to do, Beppo?" Il
Don't know" sturdily: something. b
course, glancing down at the crutch. :.
can't push a cart and things like that. 4
pose likely I'll hire hand organ. and
and round corners. Even one-legged
'lks can turn cranks."
Would you like to do that?"
Course not" sharply. Don't ask =
many fool questions It's a case of
ust." 7
Il suppose So" calmly. But there's
man up the street who wants to see
~ first, Beppo. Wen talk about the
.rt and hand organ afterwards" 1
Mr.. Bellew was busy at his desk when :
ey we're shown into his Office. but be
rned promptly, and held out his
nd.
Glad TO see. you, Beppo," he said
iskly. Il want to talk with you about
,ur future"
Don't want any help, if that's what
Iu're after" anticipated Beppo.
Certainly not. never help a boy
DO wants help, " imperturbably. This
pure business. You can be Of use to
e, but you must have training first.
hat could you do by yourself with but
e leg?"
I've got arms"
Yes; but arms are badly handicapped
thout legs to assist them. No, no. nv
y; you must depend on your head =
". And from what I've heard your
ad is fully as good as your arms and