Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-12-10

He was q passenger with usi II IL isn't
Mr.. Scott, I'm a sinner! Somebody has
knocked him on the head and gons
through himl Bring the light He
may be hurt badl"
AS he spoke Tom moaned and stirred
upon the bed. Then he opened his eyes
and struggled with wild look into a
halferect position.
whats all thisi" he groaned.
"Where am I?"
ats all right, Mr.. Scott replied .
familiar voice. "You are with friend.
Better lie down awhile till you feel bet
ter"
Tom looked at him in a bewildered
fashion, blinking his eyes in the glare
OF the lamp which the third man held
close 10 him.
"Mr. Greenl" he said. wonderingly.
"Yes. sir" replied the second mate
Of the Seabird, sits me. l happened
along just in time. Are you hurt muchf
Let me look at your head"
my head?" repeated Tom, who had
no clear conception OF where he was or
whether he was asleep or awake.
"Yes," replied his rescuer, lifting the
hair on the top OF his head as he spoke. !
"You were knocked down on the street
and found you there. l was going
down to the vessel after some things
left there and I stumbled over a man
on the sidewalk. had no idea Il was
you, but / couldn't let a chap lie there
in the mud. so we took you In here.
This is my room. I've left the Seabird. |
you know. I'm off for the gold mines |
in the Klondike if can get there
The last word acted like magic upon |
Tom
''The Klondike!" he repeated "Yes,
remember. 1t all comes to me now. I |
forgot where was. remember now !
was attacked on the street, Some |
body came up behind and struck mel" /
That's it. Then | came along and
found you. You've got an ugly cut on !
the head, but | don't think it will ,
amount to anything after you rest !
awhile. There is no doctor round here
that know of, and III just put bit |
of plaster on ii for you if you don't |
mind. You can get it looked at to-mor-
row if you want to-"
The third man held the ligh; while J
this was done and then left the second |
mate with his patient, who asked:
who was that?"
81 hire this room of him." was the |
reply HE helped me bring you in
from the street"
you are very good" said Tom. "but |
it's late and I'm keeping you out of your
bed"
AS he spoke he tried to rise, but the |
other restrained him.
"You are not we'll enough vet" he |
said kindly. Better rest awhile. Did |
you lose anything when you were
struck2 Have you watch or money"
Tom interrupted him with = hoarse |
cry and sat bolt upright.
my belti" he painted, wildly.
His hands went to his waist and
then the full force of his loss burst upon
him.
1t was gone!
The unfortunate young man looked |
stupidity at the sailor moment. then
he broke into meaningless laughter and !
iell back upon the bed. The Glow had !
robbed him of his scattered senses and |
he tainted.
When the doctor reached his side a !
few hours later, Tom was suffering
from brain fever and could not be
moved. The second mate bad sum-
moned Capt. Coffin and now turned To !
him. saying:
I'VE can't leave him alone and with |
out cent. was going TO try my luck |
up north in the mines. but hang me il |
I'll leave him this way. I'm going TO |
stay alongside the poor chap till he gets |
well or dies. if it takes every red I've |
gotl"
Put il there!" roared the BLUFF old |
skipper. holding out his hard fist |
You're man. you are. But there's |
plenty of money belonging TO him in |
my safe. and you needn't use a cent of |
yours. See he has the best care and |
call on me for the pay when you need !
it,"
That afternoon the northern train |
included Obed Rider among its passen-
gers, while Tom Scott tossed uneasily |
from side 10 side, rambling on about |
secret trails and gold mines until the |
stout sailor by his side shook his head |
Sorrowfu!ly rs be glanced NJ the burn |
ing cheeks and Growlcd:
I'm afraid the poor fellow has got
his discharge.
ITO pE CONTTNutD \