Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1904-05-13


Where they cure people,"
Where they cut them up" the boy
persisted. 81 know man who went
and had his hand cut Off"
Perhaps he'd have died If they
hadn't cut it off. Wouldn't you rather
lose a hand or foot than die?"
There was quick, indrawn breath.
But that was the only sign of emotion
Beppo showed.
Can | come back tomorrow IL they
cut off my hand or foot?" he demanded.
"Of course, it'll hurt, but don't care
for that"
mo, not tomorrow mot for several
weeks, I'm afraid. But If all goes well,
you'll come back some time, Can we do
anything for your
Beppo did not answer for some min
utes. His gaze left them and sought his
push cart. &N
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 l live?"
mo"
Beppo's gaze wandered again until II
found very small boy peeping at him
with frightened eyes from behind by
stander 1t was one of his old friends.
Hello, Swipesy," he called, forcing a
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: "Swipesyll show you
where live. He knows. He stayed
with me once You'll sort of look out
for my folks till get back III payyou.
The cart'll 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
ly, cause I'll pay. There's the am
bulance now, s'pose," as wagon drove
up rapidly, turned, and then backed to
the curb. well" his voice still steady,
I'm all ready. Sorry | can't take you
to ride with me, Swipesy, but 'twouldn't
be any fun for you"
AS soon as he was off duty the police
man went with Swipesy to Beppo'shome.
What he saw he reported to the COM
panion of his beat the.next day.
Seven sick boys" he snorted. in or
der to keep his voice steady, and three
of 'em cripples. and the oldest not over
ten. One cripple told me he'd been with
Beppo ever since he could remember.
And called that boy a young miser!
Seems like he's been picking up weak
and sick boys and taking care of them
just like an old maid gathers up cats
and he commenced when he WASH t much
more than baby himself Maybe he
was remembering his own hard start
The policeman walked on by his friends
side for half block in silence, then add
ed: "Bellew, the department store man
on the next block asked me about him
just now, and when told all knew. he
said for me to bring Beppo to him just
as soons he got out the hospital, that a
boy with nerve and head like that had
no business to be pushing a fruit cart
round. | wouldn't wonder if he tried
to get Beppo into something better"
Two months later Beppo presented
himself at the police station. On leg was
gone, and he was hobbling on crutch
which the hospital had given him, but
which he declared he should pay for.
MY cart here?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Well, ] want to sell it for what car
get and let 1t help pay you folks up. III
pay the rest before long. / don't s'pose
the carts rotted down from old age yet ;
gayly.
What do you intend to do, Beppo?"
Don't know" sturdily; Something
OF course" glancing down at the crutch
Il can't push cart and things like that
S'pose likely I'll hire hand organ, and
stand round corners. Even one-legget
folks can turn cranks."
Would you like to do that?"
Course not" sharply. Don't ask
SO many fool questions. LISA case Of
must" i.
IL suppose So" calmly. "But there's
a man up the street who wants to see
you first, Beppo Wen talk about the
cart and hand organ afterwards"
Mr. Bellew was busy at his desk wher
they were shown into his Office, but he
turned promptly, and held out his
hand. &>
"Glad to see you, Beppo," he said
briskly 81 want to talk with you abou,
your future"
Don't want any help. if that's what
you're after anticipated Beppo.
Certainly not. | never help bo,
who wants help impe-turbably. "This
Is pure business You can be of use tc
me. but you must have training first
What could you do by yourself with but
one leg?"
I've got arms"
"Yes; but arms are badly Handicapped
without legs to assist them No, no. my
boy; you must depend on your heat
now. And from what I've heard your
head is fully as good as your arms ant
legs ever were, only it must have whole
lot of training. Four or five years OF
schooling-of trafning-and you will bt
ready for work that will pay you better
than your push cart ever did. And in
the meantime | will look out for the
boys at your home.
Can Ipay for it all? ?" suspiciously.