Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1910-02-16


So Sam bore him back, and, mad
with which he hid over the
old boot he was mending-was the
child's only playmate once more.
Then came the summer, and that
heat that Mrs. Newton had declared
was unbearable in her cool drawing
rooms and boudoirs.
In Paradise Alley she would have
found difficulty in discovering some
word by which to describe it.
The pavement was hot, the air was
stifing, the canary languished in his
cage and gave up all hope of ever
| proving his sex, and the child-little
| Sn0wdrop? Like the snOwdrop it be-
gan ito fade and droop in the heat, and
| the old man grew terrified when, on
| one of the hottest days, the little one
| lay i'm his arms white and still with a
peaceful, listless smile in the eyes
| turned lovingly to his.
Tremblingly he pressed the boy to
him, calling him by his name in tones
that struggled vainly for calm
'4Snowdrop, my little Sn0wdrop!
what's the matter? You-you are not
in amy pain? Open your eyes and look
at old Father SAM Jost one loOk!"
'"Nodrop very tired, old father!" he
lisped, with preternaturally grave
shake of the head.
Tired course you are said OLD
Sam, glancing helplessly at the WIN
dow, through which the sun was beat
ing upon the curtains. Every decent
person, leave alone angel child, is
| tired i'm 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"
mo, not the park-me tired Of the
park" said the child, in whisper.
"Me stay here and go to sleep" And
nesting closer to the pitiful breast,
he closed his eyes.
Old Sam was i'm nortal 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 a 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 if he were not allowed
to enter quietly, and so obtain an au-
dience.
The doctor-an old man, far too
used to such sights to feel more than
professional sympathy-looked at the
child, and back at the old man.
What is it?" asked Sam, hoarsely,
almost fiercely, Cant you speak?
What's the use of doctor if he cans
do nothing more'n look at him? can
do that, and I'm an ignorant, cobbling
old idiot! Do something for HIM
give him something! l can pay for it
I'm stronghold at me!-and I can
work for him. Give me something.
Heaven, give him something's"
The doctor laid his hand upon the
shaking, misshapen shoulder
Hush, my good fellow!" 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-neW
and daisies. You
understand"
Old Sam nodded eagerly. his eyes
sparkling with hope.
81 know! I'll take him! I'll cross the
sea with him-go anywhere to serve
him! Doctor, l can't can't let him
die!"
And his whisper sank SO low that
the words were rather breathed than
spoken.
No, no. said the doctor, "don't be
afraid, my good man. Take him into
fellow, but delicate. Not your child
en-! Your daughters. She was deli
cate, wasn't she? Exposed to the air,
eh?"
The old man nodded, with fear
full bitterness.
Yes" he said, between his shut
teeth, "she swas delicatei She was ex-
posed to the 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
murmured, as he hurried home. YES,
yes; new milk, flowers! He shall have
'em-he shall have Vent Old Sam
shall get 'em for him. The country
where is the country?''
And he stopped short and looked