Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-04-15
HE THAT KEEP
ETH HIS LIFE

the stamping and paving OF horses.
little alcove had been fitted up as
sort Of an once where, upon an i'm
provised bunk, covered with coarse
blankets. the sick man lay.
All his life had he herded with
horses and the surroundings we're not
inappropriate. At the foot OF the bed
the nurse. a man, watched anxiously.
Presently the outer doors of the barn
separated enough for the passage Of a
body and two men entered.
A welcoming CLEAN Of intelligence
shot from the eyes of the sick man
to his face. It questioned. yet pite-
ously begged deferment Of decision.
After protracted examination, while
intense silence vibrated only to the
whining and paving Of the equine
tenants. the doctor turned away.
L can do no more" he announced,
briefly.
The young man who had entered
with him Joined the nurse and stood
motionless, looking queerly into the
grigg,ed face on the bed. The eyes un-
closed. a passion Of terror submerging
every emotion. the shaggy beard quiT-
cred like a field OF grass beneath pow
erful wind. Gnarled fingers plueked
aimlessly at the bed clothes as an i'm
ploring cry echoed among the rude
rafters Of the barn.
"Oh, doctor. doctor! ! can't diet
l amt ready yet. Can't ye do some
thin'-anythin', SOS won't hev to go
-nGw?"
The nurse approached with a
soothing draught, but was waved
aside. TREMENDOUSLY. "'Tain't no use.
H ss7s 50. Oh. can't die now.
Don't let me so. I-I1l do anythin'-"
Still silence. cleft only by sounds
O. side; darkness, softened by the
:, lmering lantern, prevailed.
The hoarse tones died away in sob
b'1g intensity as the Young man lifted
/ face: his eyes fastened them
selves pitilessly on the countenance
Of &c e'Ler. What will you give me"
h. asked coldly, IF l get someone to
save y1u?"
For an instant the old eyes waver-
ed. Then returning apprehension con.
cuered. "You here Bob" fear-stiffen-
"a lips faitered. will you get some
one? Tell him to 60" he indicated
the doctor with a feeble gesture, "an'
20 qmck-an' git someone-anyope
I'll give" as the younger man hesitat-
ell, dolbtfully. five thousand dollars
to live"
"Will you give that?" The younger
man peered questioningly down at
him. 10 you value your worthless
life so much? Remember how you
starved and beat me when was little
so that you could save a few dollars
out of me. Remember-how my moth
e suffered died" emotion threaded
the words tremulously. that you
ight scrlmp-out of her hfe-her
Focl even a little more. Remember
how. after that-you herded here with
horses. that you only fed because they
wo ID work the harder; because ii
was cheaper. and the penny saved"
He laughed bitterly. Remember
that and what you have been. Is
you. life worth that-to your"
The bitterness of his sons sccrn
impressed the elder not at all. He
craved life, the boon, at any cost, and
he murmured cringingly. Yes, yes
I'll give all that-five thousand dol
lars-if you'll git somebody to keeI
me alive. can't die. / amt ready
yet"
The younger man drew a ch0ch
book from between the blankets un
der the sick mans head, filed one out
then motioned the nurse to bring the
lantern. Here" he said. crisply, "sigr
here" He guided the trembling fin
gers as they traced a name feared b.
many who had felt its power. The
feeble rays Of the lantern touched the
amount and he gasped.
q said fve thousand" he whined
"and-you have made II 1o-and Il
yourself"
1T is all too little" The younger
man regarded him calmly. And I an
the one you asked to save you. Come.
as the cramped fingers lingeringly re
tanned the flutteriRg paper, "is
worth it-or not?" Released. the pa
per passed to hrmer grasp and thi
Querulous voice murmured, Hurry
now, and bring him. Oh" as recrimi
mating memory prodded. 81 can't di
now. amt ready"
The young man turned to the physi
clan. Doctor" he said, grayely. 9TH
case Is yours" The doctor smiled an,
opening his case prepared medicin
iU two glasses the nurse had emptied
Grotesque shadows fell across hi
face and the sick man eyed him curi
ously. Il thought you said" he mum
bed finally. for be read Alright tn
sr1ile that illuminated the eyes Of tn
y ysician, that you had done-all yo
c, .ld?" Reyuls.on Of feeling ha
weakened him and great beads Q
peIspiTation stood on his forehead.
81 o.d," again the Illuminating smil
irra dated the serene countenancC
"all l could" he repeated, until 20
had done partial justice to your onl
son. II you misinterpreted me. tina
IS your own fault" He lifted his ha
his medicine case. and disappeare
through the gloonily shadowed barn
The young man turned as he, to'
faced the door. Take good care {
him. nurse" he called back cheeril,
Remember. his life IS valuable"
Ami after he had gone, mockin
echoes repeated the words to the mi
er who. during all his life. had neve
opened his heart. his purse. as nov
when he had mistakenly suppose
that death demanded the sacrince.-
MISS A. L. PRATT.
Snake Story.