The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-29

Billy Wig ragged nightly and rent
the garments of his best friends he
cause he WAS shut out during the OBJ
Grafton. When he was admitted ar
ter 1t WAS over he howled etumultu-
ously because Solomon John was
i'scked with ether sickness. which no
rnistook for the throes of approaching
dissolution
1t was long. nervetrying wait. bur
the day finally came when the white
bandages were removed. After the
first gasp of rapture Solomon John
looked about him eagerly
Let me see my dog he SAID. Bill
Is. is this YOU as the junior partner
looked with anxious and puzzled eyes
into his face. We'll, you're certainly
u mighty handsome doggy. old boy. >
Chilly Wlgg WIS honeler than IL stack
cI hay in January. but The eyes that
looked on him were as those of n
mother when she first sees her babe)
UnhappineSs WAS the portion of Bill
Il iii the days that followed. \ part
ner who wandered about unchaperon-
cd and eluded obstacles without rely
ing on his sense of touch was quite
beyond his comprehension. SO he
slilked consistently until the time
came for leaving the hospital Then
he chirked up ii bit, thinking. pre-
resume his old habit of blind reliance
upon him when once the doors had
closed behind them. Poor Billy.
II WAS three weeks after the ope ia
ton that they left. Solomon John be-
ing discharged as cured. Harvey ex-
ulted. He said it was IL great opera
ton and proved things thought.
myself, it was a mean trick to Billy
Wltgg. My unprofessional diagnosis
Fl..,t h. l.
coming chronic melancholiac
The partners called on Harvey soon
after the6 departure from the hos
pital. They We're a study in psycho-
logical antithesis: Solomon John bub-
bling over with boyish happiness. Bill
~ Wigg aged with the weight Of woe
he was carrying. The old man was
touchingly grateful. but his ally sur
rfptitiously essayed to bite piece out
Gf Haryey's leg when his back was
turned. He nursed an unaTenScd
Months passed before we saw the
pair again. We returned from our Eu-
rnpean vacation confident OF finding
them on the same old corner, and sure
enough. there they We're. But as we
approached Harvey seized me by The
arm
Good heavens. Bob, Look at the
cid mani
What's wrong with him - said !.
: He looks just the same as he used
to-"
"Just the same as he used to-"
-choeG Harvey bitterly Eve shade
aud AL. All my work gone for
1oth ng Poor old boy 4
"Billy Wigs all right. anyway
;aid ]. as that superior animal greeted
rs with every indication of excitement.
Think so?" said Harvey. ''Tt
strikes me that it isn't exactly well |
come that he's trying to express. =
How did ii happen, old Sol?'
At the sound Of his voice Solomon
John whirled about and started to
thrust up his shade, as if involuntari +
y. Then he held out tremulous
hauds. crying:
What, Is that you. Dr. Harvey.
Sod bless YOU. sir. And is Mr.. Rob t
erts with you? Well. well; but this
Ices me good. You're a sight for sore
-yes,,'
Not for yours, Solomon John"
And why not. then? Whist, II
forgot, he broke off Scarcely jerking
his head toward BILLY Wigg, who held
Is all under jealous scrutiny. "Wait
BREATH
Thrusting his hand into his pocket
le whipped il out suddenly. a flight
1f coins scattered and tinlled and
oiled diversely on the sidewalk.
Dear me- cried the old man cum
lingly. THE old fool that I am
j! never be rich this way. Pick them
ip. Billy boy
Billy hated it, for picking small
,oins from Il smooth pavement with
IN and tooth is no easy job; hated
worse leaving his partner to two such
characters as he well
new us to be. But he, knew his
BUSINESS, and set about it with all his
nergies.
Whisper now said the senior
'artner as Billy swore under his
'reath at a slithery and elusive dime.
I've as fine a pair Of eyes as you'd
Want for star gazing at monday
Then what or earth
"Sh-h-h." Soft and easy. The
casts cooking his little ear this way.
ure twas all on his account, sirs."
"On Ejlly's account we both cx-
tanned in u breath.
"You dent think Id be taking it,"
q asked rcproachfully
Ne didn't; and We said SO. But we
cquired further enligbtenment
"tl! on account of Billy NVigg there.
rs. The eycsight was a million bless
lgs 10 me, but TWAS death to poo,
.iiiy. Not q pleasure i'm lie would
9 take after we left the hospital |
..hen I'd walk free and easy along
PC streets that locked 30 pretty to
- old eyes. The dogo be ciazy With
ar that some harm would como to
lr through II m nct leading me Al
nc last h. Just laid down ANA SCI on
} die He'd not sleep, he'd not eat:
nd the eyes of him whea he'd look a.
l., We're fit to make a man weep. ]
.nt for dog doctor-you being
way sir put in solomon John in
oitc parenthesis to my friend. 'Ilc :
ms. The dogs dying of IL broken
cart. I've seen it before he says.
Nhatll | do SAYS /. Hell not be
ontcnt till YOU arc as you We're be-
,re, says the dog doctor. 1t VAS q
linutc before | sensed what he
cant. Then my heart got thick ana
elk inside mo. Blind says. is
vat what YOU mean You old fool.
,ys the deg doctor. cant you do Il
Il of play-actinS? You've had etouGA |
'actice in the part he says.
over | went and got nay stick and
ut on the old shade that / hadn't
,er thought To Use again. thanks ~
ou, sir and tap-tappcd across The
Dor 10 Billy N'igg. Come on. Silly
Tvs ]. Il want YOU To take me out