The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-04-07

crossed the room 10 an open hallway
beyond. AT the end VI this he came 10
frowzy bedroom, the door Of which
stood ajar. Seated at deal table aud
working by n dim lamp with broken
chimney. n close cropped. red bearded.
red haired man In his shirt sleeves was
jabblng gloomlly NJ a column Of figures
scrnwled In o dirty ledger. lie looked
up as Joe appeared IN the doorway, and
his eyes showed n slight surprise.
u never thought 80 had tho temper
TO gIt somebody TO split yer head" said
be. "Where'd yo collect III"
lilo unwound the handkerchief and
removed Il from Joe's head gently.
"Wbee,' be cried as long cash was
exposed over the forehead, Il hope yc
loft a mark somewhere 10 pay n little
OH the score o. thlsl"
Joe chuckled and dropped dizzlly
back upon the pillow. There was an
other who got something like It," hc
gaspcd feeby, and, oh. Mike, | wish
you could have heard him kolng on!
Perhaps you did, II was only three
miles from here"
"Sothlng I'd liked better" said the
,shcr. bringing basin Of clear water
from stand In the corner IT'S q
beautiful thing to hcnr man holler
when he e'ls n grand one like ye'rc
wearing toBIght"
He bathed the wound gently and,
hurrying from the room. returned I'm
iacdatcly with q small jug OF vinegar
wctting rhg with this tender hnid. he
applied Il to Joc's head. speaking sooth
Ingly the while,
Nothing In tho world like u bit o
good cider vinegar TO keep on the fes
term II ;Any seem tribe seratchy
fer the moment bu, II assassInates the
blood pIson. There ye gol It's the Ane
thing fer 20. Joe, What are 20 squlrm-
In aboutf'
"Im only enjoying H." the boy an.
swcrcd. writhing as the vinegar work.
ed into the cash. Don't you mind my
laughing TO myself"
"Ye're good one. Joe" said the
other, continuing his minIstrations II
wisht. after all, ye felt like maxim mo
known 10 what's the trouble There's
some OF us would be glad to take II up
fer ye. and''--
"No, no; It's all right. was some
where | had no business to be, and !
got caught"
"Who caught yer
First some nice white people"-Joe
smiled his distorted smile--'and then a
low down black man helped me TO get
away as soon as he saw who II was.
He's friend Of mine. and he fell down
and tripped up the pursuit"
Il always knew ye'd git into large
trouble some day" The red bearded
man tore n strip from an old towel and
began 10 bandage the boys head with
III accustomed hand. Eyer taste fer
excitement has been CROWN on ye ev'
cry minute OF the four years I've
known ye,"
1--WE got ST." Joe said, without reply
ing to Mike, "and III leave the clothes
I've got on Can you fix me up with
something dIffercut?"
"I'll have the things fer ye, and III
let ye know have no use fer ST." re-
turned the red bearded man GROSSLY,
"What are ye snltiin' fer?'
"l'm thinking OF the poor fellow that
got the mate u this" said Joe, touch
\ ing the bandage. II can't help crying
when think they may have used vine
gar ON his head too"
"Git to sleep II ye cang exclaimed
the Samaritan as hldeous burst Of
noise came from the dance room. where
some one seemed to be breaking Q
chair upon an acquaintance. "l'll go
out and regulate the boys a bit" He
turned down the lamp fumbled In his
hip pocket and went to the door.