The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1910-07-21

I'll wait for the next car. Now. Ned
lets hunt like sixty"
When the crowd on the next car
Joined the thousands who waited for
the train. Paul's father and mother
were watching for the boys. and near
them was the gray-haired man who
had spoken kindly 10 Paul The lat
ter nov saw that one Of the old gen
tleman's coat sleeves was pinned TO
his vest.
a retired officer. probably" said
Paul 10 himself. come TO see how
they're doing things nowadays"
Hurry" Hurry on all sides. The
jam OF people moved solidly towards
the cars, Paul and his party keeping
we'll together. There was boy with
a crutch who seemed 10 have no one
10 look after him. Paul wondered
at seeing him in such a crowd, but
With the next thought:
What IL he Is lame? II | were
lame, wouldn't want TO be here just
the same? Perhaps all the more
POOR chap. shut off from so much"
And even in the surging crowd the
lame boy seemed justified in his de-
sire to be in things, for as Paul stood
back in order to allow him TO move
forward, more than one friendly
hand was Outstretched TO give him
aid or TO clear his way.
Paul drew a long breath OF relief
Ial fyai tn
began TO move. He felt that he and
his had more than the common in
terest in taking this excursion, for a
friend Of his father was an officer
on the ARIZONA" A shout went up
from the advancing train as, round
ing a curve, it brought its eager
cargo within sight Of the majestic
battle fleet. The warships lay at
anchor, and already the bay was dot
ted with boats carrying visitors out
to them or returning for others.
With his party Paul eagerly watch
ed as the one carrying a flag wearing
the name Arizona" came near. Be-
fore she touched the shore there was
the usual crowding-many among
the men, women and children ap-
pearing to quite forget everything
that could come under the name Of
kindliness or civility in the mad rush
to secure the first chance. Jostling
ard elbowing, the strong ones fore
ing their way, Paul, closely follow
ing his parents and brothers as they
+10 Low,
paused in disgust as a burly man
pushed a boy aside. In the next mo-
ment Paul saw that it was the lame
boy and that his crutch was being
knocked aside. With a spring he
caught it, throwing his shoulder I'M
der that Of the boy, saving him from
a neavy fall.
Quick, Quick" called PauIs IA
Their to him from the boat.
But all his mettle was now arous-
ed to the seeing of that boy on board.
With a word of encouragement and
d mighty shove, he placed him within
reach of dozen helpful hands, then,
in the push and crush sought a foot
ing for himself.
But it was too late. Already the
plank was being pulled in, and Paul
gazed in despair as the boat moved
away.
you did that WE'LL" said some one
who had been standing little to one
side, and as Paul now turned to him
he saw that he was the one-armed
man
''I-I"-in the bitterness of his
disappointment Paul could scarcely
| speak, 'I-thought I'd be able to get
on, too. l must make that cruiser if
l can
| We'll watch out for some more
| Arizona boats said the other kind
ly. But they looked in vain for the
much wished-for name flying in the
wind. Observing some one who ap-
peared to be in authority, Paul ask
ed some questions.
mo more boats going out to the
Arizona this morning" he was told.
There is a lunch party Of some of
the officers on board. so they wish to
prevent crowding."
AS Paul subsidized into forlorn ST.
lence the gray-haired man said to
him: Now, if you had not helped
the lame boy you might have fought
your way on to that boat. Aren't
you sorry?'
The crowd had been thinning out.
The man had taken a seat on a bench
and Paul was standing beside him
as he answered quietly:
mo, l don't believe I am. You
see, he's the kind of a fellow that
needs to be helped along. Things
are against him. I have all my
limbs, and he hasn't, so it's a pity
if 1 can't give up little-or, yes, -
with a rueful shake of his head, "a
good deal"
Il have not found all boys as con
siderate as you, more's the pity
said the man.
Perhaps'-Faul considered for q
moment-"they haven't all had the
ohoneoS g