The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-02-19
CHAPTER X
THE MYSTERY OF JIM BUNN.

I'm regard to the bogus professor
the most reasonable supposition
- Is that he had been hired by Kel-
vim to Investigate" Donald. Yet
there were objections to this theory.
The man had come upon his errand
too openly. If he had represented Kel-
win in such matter, he would prob.
ably have made some other excuse for
his visit, thus attempting to take Don
aid off his guard. So far as could
see, the emissary had gained nothing
whatever, and it was difficult to
imagine that he could have hoped to
gain anything by such a method. AL
together the affair was very perplex-
Ing until new point Of view was
shown to me by Donald.
5. a few days after the impostor's de-
parture left the Office In the latter
part ofathe noon hour. The men were
returning from dinner. There was al
ready a crowd in the narrow strip of
shade Nbeside the factory, and in the
blazih sun some of the younger fell
lows were throwing ball. With them
was Donald in his college uniform, and
he seemed to be giving instruction.
There was much pride that summer
In our baseball nine, which had won
against all opponents. AS l approach.
ed, the players Donald was illustrating
some method of holding the ball in
ones fingers in order to put a jump
into it," as heard him say. Beside
him stood poor little Tim Healy, lean.
Ing upon his crutch. He was looking
up Mt Donald with eyes of alteration
md drinking in wisdom which his Grip
pied body would never permit him to
use.
Like this" he exclaimed. taking the
ball from Donald's hand and clasping
Nt in his long, thin fingers. while he
made feint of throwing 1t.
''That's right. Tim." said Donald;
"you've got the knack Of It."
The cripple flushed with pride as be
gave the ball to the big fellow who
was the real pupil.
Little Tim beholds in Donald the re.
alization of all which he himself would
ask Of the fairies If they should come
to him as servants OF his dearest wish
He would Lave but one-to be like
Donald. | had watched this hero wor-
ship for some years, and its warm sin.
cerity, matched with the great kind.
ness and 'del!cacy Of my boys response
to it. has sometimes brought the tears
TO my eyes.
Healys condition Is due to an in
jury which he received when he was
eight years old. 1t disabled his left
leg and shoulder. stunted his growth
and in addition made him totally deaf
sz}f everal years. have always re-
1gfetted that his misfortune was not
brought promptly 20 my attention. One
overlooks so many Of these things.
When'I learned the facts. at the time
Of his fathers death, had good doc.
tor take charge OF the boys case, with
the result that his hearing was. re-
stored, though there was at FIRST no
hope Of 1t. His deformitles were be-
yond cure. When he had had his school
Ing, ! took him into my employ He
was some years older than Donald, but,
having lost part of his youth, he wait
ed as long as possible to gather up all
that remained.
/ learned from Donald that the ball
nine "had all northern New Jersey In
panic" and from Timothy Healy,
treasurer, that the finances of the or.
ganization did not require the small as
sistance which 1 should have been will.
ing to offer. Then the O'clock whistle
blew, and Donald and | were left to
: ourselves.
: "pve been thinking about the fellow
who wasn't Professor Severn" said l..
"What do you suppose Mr.. Kelvin ex-
pected to get out OF your
"0ut of mef" he responded.
: "Out OF whom, then7" said 1.
"Uncle Johp," he replied. ''this Is a
subject upon which doE't seem to get
much light. ] can onty make q few