Middletown transcript., 1910-08-27

greeting, and his keen, gray eye
searched the roadside.
Then he saw the speaker. I
was o child perched on q gat
post, a thin-faced boy with yellow
hair and big brown eyes.
Hello, said the man.
His voice was harsh, his ton,
impatient.
! saw you first, said the boy.
Did you? said the man.
The boy smiled.
What are you so mad about, ht
~Ssked.
The man came a little nearer.
Why do you think I'm madH
It's something in your voice
the boy replied. 1t seems to say
I'm mad at everything and every.
body.
The man drew 9 long breath.
You're e clever little fellow, be
said, and nhis voice seemed tc
soften. But then, You see, I'm
an exception.
You're q WhatS
An exception. People never
get at me, an they never laugh
ct me either. They're always too
sorry to laugh.
The man stared at him.
Why are they sorryF
Because I'm lame. It's my
hip, you know. 1t slips out.
You'll see. There was a great
doctor here once. He came over
with some folks from the Ridge
in q choo-choo car, an he saw
me. An he says that boy could
be cured if he went to the hos.
>pttal in the big city an was oppy-
rated on, and my grandma said,
How much would it cost? and the
doctor said five hundred dollars.
That's q great deal of money,
amt it?
It's quite a bunch, said the
man.
It's a great deal more than my
grandma's got, said the boy.
But she's saVin', an mayb some
time she'll have enough.
The man nodded and leaning
against the fence took off his bat
tered soft hat.
HoAold are you. sonH he asked.
You have nice hair, said the
boy. An bright eyes. ! think
you'd look pretty good if you was
washed up. How old am l? 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
bat. Then he laughed.
/ wonder if you can tell me
where I can get a drink, Mr..
Sharpeyes? he asked.
Ell show you, said the boy.
The well is up by the house. It's
very fine water. The parson said
20 when be was here last week.
You'll have to lift me down.
Grandma puts me up here, an
Rhen she thinks I'm tired she
zones and takes me down. I'm
not very heavy.
He was very light, as the man
iound when he gently lifted him
rom the post and placed him on
he ground.
Ny crutch, said the boy, an
ny cane.
The man handed him the crutch
md cane, they were leaning
'gainst the gate, and watched
lin as he swung himselfforward,
brave but pitiable little figure.
See hero, said the man sudden.
7. III think I'd like to carry
on. Can yon trust mel
The boy looked around and I
miled.
Of course I can. ] can trust ]
Ou sll right. You're strong aud
ou're gentle. No matter whut
appened yon wouldn't drop me. Y
The man drew q quick breath /
; he gathered the little figure in t
s arms and carefully raised it. '
The house was s0tn6 distance :
SEX from the highway and when
icy reached It the man carefully c
1t the boy down on the broad 8
d fashioned porch. $
There's the we'll sn' the dipper, J
i'd the child. An you can
rink your fll without money an
ithout price. That's what The q
arson said. He's always sayin d
Inny things. You don't know 4
ia, 90 your III
The man shock bis bead a. he RI
Opnd up the chain chat held the
lckat Presently the water g
Med forth and Be drank eager