Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1910-01-05

ly in the direction which the dwarf
and child had taken.
But the short legs of the old man
were nimble though they were
crooked, and, after going the length
of the street without seeing the old
man. Louis stopped perplexed. and at
last asked policeman if he had
seen them.
Dwarf carryin' bundle? Lost
anything, sir?"
NO" laughed the sculptor Found
instead. Which way did they go?'
up Paradise Alley, sir It's old
Growls and his boy"
"A well-known character" said the
sculptor, interruptingly.
Il should think so," smiled the po
liceman. "Old Sam and his boy are
known all through st. Giles. A
regular rum old chap, rough as a nut
meg crater, but as fond O. the child
as hen is of her chickens. He's
afraid to let the air blow upon it, and
as to anybody touchin' it, why, It's
more than their life's worth. No. 2,
Paradise Alley; first turning on your
left"
Thanking the communicative con-
stable, Louis retraced his steps once
more, and entered Paradise Alley,
sought out No. 2, and knocked at the
door.
It was opened almost instantly, and
the dwarf appeared.
What dye mean a'knockin' like a
postman and awaking children as if
you were paid by the guvment a pur-
pose? What is it?"
II am very sorry. I did not mean to
knock loudly said Louis, good hum
oredly. II found this little shoe on
the pavement near the spot where you
were standing, and l brought it to you
1t would have been such a pity for
the little fellow to lose such pretty
little boot"
Oh said the old man, with a
notified air. "Im much obliged
we're much obliged, l should say
seem as the shoes is his; and I'll say
as we should a been sorry to lose it,
seem as how l made it o. purpose for
him, and them's his favorites''
'You are quite welcome said
Louis, land l hope / have not dis
turbed him.
mo, not as l knows OIL don't
hear him. said the old man, putting
his head on one side like a jackdaw.
Hes beautiful boy, amt hep
The finest ever saw said Louis,
honestly. | should beg for another
look at him if / dared"
The old man hesitated. and eyed
him keenly.
well, you've been kind" he said
reluctantly. "You can come in and
look at him if you like"
Louis waited for no warmer invita-
ton, but, following his hosts example
trod on tiptoe land entered the little
parlor with the red curtains and the
smoke-dried canary.
The dwarf noiselessly trotted around
the room, and cautiously lifted the
Counterpart from little cot. neatly
constructed from an egg box, and with
a loving smile of admiration pointed
at its occupant.
Nesting in it's little bed, the child
formed a picture sufficiently beautiful
to delight an artists eyes. The sculp-
tor was simply enthralled.
"Exquisitei" he exclaimed. "What a
head! Leonardo de Vinci alone could
do it justice!''
II don't know who Lean Lardy Deaf
Incey is said the old man in a gruff
whisper, "but whoever says there's a
more beautiful child than my boy de-
parts from the TRUTH
''He is your boy?' said Louis.
Mine" said old Growls, sharply,
and with suspicious glance at the
young mans face, still bent toward
the child "Of course he is; whose else
should he be-"
81 heard him call you father
unused Louis.
"Old father Sam corrected the
old man. you see what name he
was to call me did perplex me consid-
cradle. I've knowed boys as was
afeerd of their fathers and I didn't
wanth this ere precious to be that O.
me, SO | thought Father Sam, 'ud
sound more pleasant an familiar like,
more as we are the best O. frineds,
allus. Then, when l see my grizzled
old mug in that glass, says Go long
with you, you impedent old vagabon',
you're too old by a hundred years to
be his father!' And yet / didn't like to
drop it, neither, cos you see it sounded
so pretty, comm from his cherry lips,
so | taught him to call me Old Father
Sam, which, though it do sound like
comic song, is a pleasant, friendly
sort O. name"
and what is his name?" asked
Louis.
"snowdrop Christmas : said the old
man.
Louis expressed his surprise.
"A pretty name, but strange one.
Was he christened SOP"
mo, he warn't.,, said the man,
sharply But that amt neither here
nor there. He's my boy amt he and