Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-07-03

| Burning. burning-mother-L Brad
ley Lamson.
"oh. you poor. poor boy. Bring some
water quckr'
Did some one speak, or was it--again
the little, foolish smile cracked the
| parched lips. He had known mother
| would come-she always did when her
| boys were hurt, even il they did il
| carelessly themselves-but she did not
know how big his head was or she
| would not try TO lift it. Oh. he was at
| the old spring drinking drinking.
| HE must not have too much at once,
| the poor boy" A warm rain fell upon
| his face: the cup vanished; his cropping,
| trembling hands could not find it. How
could he have too much when he was
burning? That wasn't fair. Davie.
when his head was so big that he
| couldn't run.
THE brute-the perfect brute. to 60
or and leave him like this Never
! even get him water.'
Was that father? No; Tige had not
hurt him 1t was the fire-and heed
less Joe-where was the spring
| the cup. There! Mother was bathing
| his burning head and face and neck,
| his hands and arms. He smiled at her
and whispered Good" and again the
warm rain dropped upon him. and his
| big heavy head was lifted and laid
why. ii must be the cool. damp moss
above the spring. II was heavenly
| II ii was not for the dreadful some
| thing that hurt SO about Lizzie-Liz-
gie Bradley amson-he could-Lizzie
Bradley Lamson--LiZ.
Il don't know that any of us can say
much for ourselves. Let such sick
man lie here alone for days-never
come near him. so busy hustlIng for
the doilars--aut all the same. Lanson's
brute, with less feeling than hog
And the thought that LiZzie'd-faugh."
Lizzie-Lizzie Bradley Lamson-Liz
Don't say that. Joe Harris! Can't
you understand? Lamson lied!" Liz.
-Bradley-Lamson-
"Oh. never mind. mother. He's too
light headed yet. But the fever Is cool.
ing. and the doctor'll be here soon
Look out yonder. Ben's got crowd,
all right! Joe's grain II be in the stack
in short order. and 1t isn't hurt yet.
not an atom. in spite Of Lamson's
know it all verdict"
Lizzie Bradley Lamson-he was hurt
Did Lizzie Bradley Lamson no. he
wouldn't-wouldn't put out his tongue.
1t was too stiff and big, like his head.
And he wouldn't have spoon In his
mouth.
Here, young man, you take this.
Swallow 1t. Do you hear? Some one
shook him slightly. with the order. and
he swallowed and grinned and said II
was Davy's cough drops. and 1t was
Lizzie Bradley Lamson who-who made
the fire. Was that little Sis who cried
out sharply and sobbed? Davy mustn't
hurt little Sis. He. Joe, was all right.
only Lizzie.
''Oh. shut up-' the gruff one com
manded. I'm the doctor. and / say
for you to drop 1t and go TO sleep"
There was mother again. with the
gourd from the spring. and he drank
and drank till they took it away. and
then he slid down and down and out
where there was only a cool, quiet
| Darkness.
1t was late the next day. The sun
was sending its level rays across the
| door when Joe Harris came to himself
| and looked about with calm and
growing consciousness.
There was a faroff, CHEEKY sound of
busy machines Through the open win
dow he could see his fields swarminy
with men and teams. The food wagon
| and eating tent stood back by the well.
| the important cook busting over a fire.
His room was cool and fresh. Flowers
stood upon his little homemade table
with the doctors medicine glass.
Bit by bit he studied il out. and as
he recognized Mr. Bradley and the
boys and other neighbors and Mrs.
Bradley herself putting his freshly
washed shirts upon the line his eyes
| filled, and he murmured a faint "God
bless themw
| At the sound there was a stir by the
| head Of the bed, and girl with anx-
ious eyes leaned over him and touched
his forehead with a shy little hand.
He looked at her moment: then he
muttered feebly. questioningly. Lizzie
Bradley-Lamson?"
With a rush of tender tears she laid
her warm pink cheek against his, muir
muring: mo. Joe. dear: no! Lizzie
Bradley Harris"