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

lOOhlHB QulNhlN W lut. IlBul anu lelI
from time to time, as if he expected to
see something unpleasant.
He was plodding along at a steady
pace when he was startled by voice.
Hello, mister MANI" it said.
The man recoiled little at the
greeting, and his keen, gray eyes
searched the roadside.
Then he saw the speaker 1t was
a child perched on a gate post, thin
faced boy with yellow hair and big
brown eyes.
Hello" said the man.
His voice was harsh. his tone Inn
patient.
81 saw you first" said the boy.
Did you?" said the man.
The boy smiled.
What are you so mad about" he
asked
The man came a little nearer.
"Why do you think I'm mad?"
IT'S something in your voice." the
boy replied. ct seems to say I'm
mad at everything and everybody"
The man drew a long breath.
You're a clever little fellow" he
said, and his voice seemed to soften.
"But then, you see, I'm an exception" >"
You're what?"
AN exception People never get
mad at me, an they never laugh at
me either. They're always too sorry
to laugh"
The man stared at him.
why are they sorry?"
Because I'm lame. It's my hip
you know. It slips out. You'll see
There was a great doctor here once.
He came over with some folks from
the Ridge in choo-choo car, an he
saw me. An he says that boy could
be cured if he went to the hospital in
the big city an was oppyrated on, an
my grandma said How much would
it cost?' an the doctor said Five hun
dred dollars That's a great deal Of
money, amt it?"
ITS quite bunch" said the man.
TITS a great deal more than my
grandma's got" said the boy. But
she's savin', an maybe sometime she'll
have enough"
The man nodded and leaning
against the fence took off his battered
soft hat
How old are you, SOM" he asked.
"You have nice hair" said the boy.
AN bright eyes. | think you'd look
pretty good II you was washed up.
How old am I? I'm just twelve. You
have got a queer little scar high up
there on your forehead, haven't your"
The man suddenly put on his hat
Then he laughed.
81 wonder il you can tell me where
can get drink, Mr.. Sharpeyes?" he
asked.
''Ill show YOU" said the boy. THE
well is up by the house. It's very fine
water. The parson said so when he
was here last week. You'll have to
lift me down. Grandma puts me up
here, an when she thinks I'm tired
she comes and takes me down. I'm
not very heavy"
He was very light. as the man found
when he gently lifted him from the
post and placed him on the ground.
my crutch," said the boy, "an' my
cane"
The man handed him the crutch
and cane, they were leaning against
the gate, and watched him as he
swung himself forward, a brave but
pitiable little figure.
"See here" said the man suddenly.
"1-I think I'd like to carry you. Can
you trust me?"
The boy looked around and smiled.
"Of course can. can trust you all
right. You're strong and you're gen.
tie. No matter what happened you
wouldn't drop me-"
The man drew a quick breath as
he gathered the little figure in his
arms and carefully raised it.
The house was some distance back
from the highway and when they
reached it the man carefully put the
boy down on the broad old fashioned
porch.
There's the well an the dipper,"
said the child. AN you can drink
your fill without money an without
price. That's what the parson said
He's always sayin funny things, You
don't know him, do you?"
The man shook his head as he
wound up the chain that held the
bucket Presently the water gushed
forth and he drank eagerly
That's very good water" he said
"You didn't praise 1t any too highly
He looked around and caught sight OF
woman standing in the doorway
He quickly pulled of his nat. She
waB woman past middle age, a seri
GUS woman who looked at him, he fan,
cied, in disapproving way. II beg
your pardon. ma'am. for trespassing.
he said, but the lad here told me
could have a much wished for drink.
you are welcome TO the water,
the woman said.
Without money an without price.
the boy chanted.
Hush, Wilbur"
The man twisted his hat in his
hands.
I'm a little down on my luck
ma'am " he said "an' Pm In naad M