Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-02-17


Tired of course you are. said ola
Sam, glancing helplessly at the WIN
dow. through which the sun was beat
ing upon the curtains. Every decent
person, leave alone a angel child, IS
tired in such weather. It's only old
chaps like myself as keeps up, owda-
cious Williams as We are!' and, hating
his own strength, he shut his teeth
hard. My precious darling will go in
to the park''
No, not the park me tired of the
park, said the child, in whisper.
me stay here and 60 to sleep. And
nesting closer to the pitiful breast.
he closed his eyes.
Old Sam was in mortal terror. What
was he to do if the child fell i'll?
There had been several deaths OF
fever in the alley. Perhaps his Snow
drop.-the thought was too horrible,
too appalling, to be endured quietly.
The old man, without his hat, and
with his leathern apron still around
him, hurried carefully into the street
to the nearest doctors and, trembling
| like leaf, rang the bell
1t was some time before the gentle
manly assistant would admit him, but
Sam threatened to admit himself and
| force his way il he were not allowed
to enter quietly, and SO obtain an au-
| Gience.
The doctor-an old man. far too
used to such sights to feel more than
professional sympathy at the
child, and back at the old man.
What is it?'' asked Sam, hoarsely,
almost fercely, Cant you speak?
What's the use of a doctor if he can-e
do nothing more'n look at him? I can
do that, and I'm an ignorant cobbling
old idiot! Do something for him
give him something. can pay for it
Pm stronghold at mei-and | can
work for him. Give me something.
Heaven, give him somethfng!''
The doctor laid his hand upon the
shaking, misshapen shoulder.
Hush, my good fellowi" he said.
do not distress yourself! The child
is very i'll, but not dying. Medicine.
physic is mo use. The medicine he
wants is fresh air. The country-ne
milk -buttercups and daisies. You
understand" !,
Old Sam nodded eagerly, his eyes
sparkling with hope.
Il know! rla take hdnai IN cross the
sea with him go anywhere 10 serve
! him! Doctor, can't can't let him
die!''
And his whisper sank SO low that
the words were rather breathed than
spoken.
mo, mo" said the doctor, don't be
afraiu, my good man. Take him into
the country at once. He's a fine little
fellow, but delicate. Not your child
eh? Your daughters. She. was deli
cate, wasn't she? Exposed ITO the AIR,
ehe"
The old man nodded, with a fear
full bitterness.
Yes he said, between his shut
teeth she was delicate! She was ex.
posed to tine air." And laying half a
sovereign down upon the Table he
covered the child up in his coat and
left the room
Take him into the country!'' he
mnranuted, as he hurried lhOme. Yes,
yes; NEW Milk, flowers! HE shall have
em-he shall have 'em! old Sam
shall get EN- for him! The country
where is the oountry?'
And he stopped short and looked
h0pelessly around him.
Reader, theme are hundreds of the
poor who could put the same aues-
tom with perfect seriousness.
Then there fashetl upon Kim the
memory of the visit of the gentleman
who had spoken so kindly to him and
aeiEniTed tine boy.
He had spoken of the ,country-hatl
asked him to bring his sSnewdrop
down Ito see his picture -had left the
addness.
With fast beating heart the old mar,
laid the child upon its little bed and
searched for the paper.
When he had found 1T he spelled
cunt the Address letter by letter. care
fully folded the paper, and stuck it
I'M his waistooat pocket, and, with
trembling, eager fingers, did up his
necessagies for the journey in red
pocket handkerchief.
Then he wrapped up the child
tightly, and carefully, and locking
the door of the room after him, sailed
out into the street.
To the first policeman he met he
showed the slip of paper, and hungri-
iy listened to his direction how to
reach the place named IN it, then,
walking with the utmost care of the
childfs comfort, reached the st2tion,
all trembling with loves fear, started
for Heavithorme.
1t was night when the lodge keeper
who told the story in the evening ia
the village ale house for the remain
der of his life-lockiHg up the park
gate, saw bent, misshapen figure
with something bnlging out Of the
breast of his coat. hurrying down
the path. and looking from one side
to the other with wistful. eager eyes
1t was Sam, with his precious bur
den, and he stopped at the gate, and,
locking at the keeper with eager eyes
produced the piece Of paper, now