The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-03-23

! But you'll find that basin OF water
and bit OF soap will bring about a
great difference in my looks I'm sure
| can make myself handy. Just give
me trial. ma'am" He looked
around. you need a mans help.
worked on farm when | was a boy.
/ It's true | haven't any friends about
here. I've come quite piece" He
suddenly smiled Il have one recon-
mendation," he said. AN don't
know of better"
What is your recommendation ?"
the woman asked.
He had moved about until he
brought the figure OF the lame child
| between them.
| Now he pointed to the lad.
Here is my recommendation" he
softly said
DO you want this man to stay here.
Wilbur" the woman asked the child.
"Yes. yes" the boy eagerly an
swered Let him stay, grandma
The woman gave the man a quick
look.
81 will bring you a basin. and soap
]
back from the doorway. You will
have to sleep in the barn" she added.
Trust me to sleep soundly.' he
| called after her.
I'm glad you're going to stay"
said the child. you an me will be
! fine friends"
"I hope So" said the man.
The wash in the hand basin effect
ed a quick change for the better in
the mans appearance. a change that
the woman viewed with approval
That's pretty good water" laughed
the child. ITS Just as good outside
as 'tis inside-only on the outside you
/ don't get so thirsty"
The man laughed.
You may call me Johnson" he
said to the woman That's as good
a name as any and easy to remember"
Very we'll" the womSn answered.
"And now you may look around and
see what you can plan to do"
Yes" said the man.
81 can't promise to pay you until
make up my mind what you are
worth"
That suits me-" said the man.
Grandma can't pay you much. YOU
/ know" said the child, "'cause she's
savin' up for the oppyration.
The woman looked at the man.
you know about this?" she said.
yes" he answered The lad
told me-"
The woman drew quick breath.
"The doctor was sure he could be
helped" she said. Then she quickly
added, ''It seems a pity he should
have to go & "ough life like that
Yes" said the man very softly.
The boy smiled up at the woman,
and she smiled back-a beautiful
smile that seemed to thaw the serious.
ness of her care worn face. Then
she turned abruptly and went into the
house.
81 don't know why it is" said the
child refiectively, but it always
seems to make grandma sort of sniffy
when she talks about me. You no.
ticed it, didn't your"
YES" said the man, Il noticed it,"
She's a very good woman" said
the lad. when your mothers dead
and your fathers dead there's moth
ing like having the right kind of
grandma. That's right, amt it?"
That's right" said the man very
gravely.
And now" cried the boy. lets go
out and take a look at the barn. That's
where you're goin' to sleep, you know.
| IL IN
me-"
The man laughed.
81 want to carry you OF course"
he said.
Suppose we leave the crutch and
the can here" said the child. You
might want to carry me back"
And the woman, hidden behind a
window curtain, watched the strange
ly assorted pair with an approving
smile.
That night when the place was
quite still the man stood in the door
way of the old barn and looked up
at the sky. The moon suddenly came
from behind a fufry mass Of cloud and
cast a food of radiance over the gar
den.
The man drew folded paper from
his pocket and spread II out and
stared at it. At the top OF the sheet
in large type was the word RE
WARD" The man glanced at It,
chuckled softly, and carefully folding
it again, replaced It in his vest. Then
he drew from an inner pocket a shin
ing revolver. He saw that II was in
perfect condition and slipped It into
his side coat pocket.
Good place to hide" he muttered
as he looked around 81 can stay
here a couple OF weeks, anyway.
They'll get me some time, but I'll give
'em lively hunt for It," He laughed
again and then his face suddenly soft
encd. That's a queer little kid" he
muttered. TOO bad he's a cripple" 4"
The woman had no fault to find