Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1913-12-19

Keith, after the operation, unless
we'll, miracles had happened and such
cases had got well before. So he said
nothing to the pretty young mother
who came day after day, wistful and
patient and always hopeful OF late
she had begun to suspect that her
only boy, her stay that was to be in
her later widowhood, would never
leave the building save in a wheeled
chair. But she kept her fears to her
self, and nobody had had the heart
to tell her.
And Johnny wanted football for
his Christmas present!
''Well,' said DR.. Keith gruffly, "why
shouldn't he have one If he wants it?
Isn't there enough money to buy
football? Why. I'll buy him one my
self. What sort should he have?
What are they made Of? It's long
time since i was a boy myself" he
added, in self-excuse.
why, they're made of pigskin,
aren't they, doctor?" answered the
nurse. "But you don't understand.
How can we let him have football
and let his mother see him with it,
and him lying there SO helpless? 1t
would be inhuman, doctor" -
Hum! I'll take the matter Under
consideration" the doctor answered
But a few minutes later he was ask
: ing the head inferno, Where would
you go to buy a football?" He put
down the. address in his memoran.
dunn book, and the inferno looked at
him in wonder, for football and DR.
Keith seemed somehow unassociable.
well, here's the football, nurse" "
he said that evening, coming into the
ward 1t was Christmas eve. All
the children we're supposed to be
asleep. Here and there an ,.eye
drowsily unelosed to- see ifasSanta
Claus had really come, but sleep.was
stronger than expectation, and Nurse
Blair would see to it that no gifts
went to the sleepless. DR.. Keith held
out the paper-wrapped globe. The
clerk had blown it up for him, and,
not thinking of having it debated
again, he had carried it thus for half
= dozen blocks. tIf you think it best
for him not to have it, give it TO
someone else: Give him. o. Teddy
bear" he said.
':.Wny, boy that age doesn't want
Teddy Bears answered Nurse Blair
scornfully. She thought for a long
while after the doctor had gone. AT
last she went softly to Johnny'S bed
and hung the football from the
head The little boys eyes were
closed and he was sleeping soundly
The little helpless feet made tiny
mountains. under, the bedclothes
Nurse Blair turned away quickly.
! Morning came; the ward awoke
Shouts and cries of delight were
heard The day. nurses went from
bed to bed, unwrapping packages
Nurse Blair had gone to her room
but she did not lie down. She came
back, tired but resolute, half houl
before visiting time, and went te
Johnny's side. He was playing with
the ball, bouncing it upon the sheets
It had fallen down. six times, ani
I CdCA tIiu0 LuO Aul DC ACdISSt Acu plCh
ed it up again and returned it.
Johnny" said Nurse Blair, ''youl
| mamma will be here in few minutes
I now.a s.f;'
Eyes, ma'am," answered Johnny.
Johnny, what are you going to dt
with that football2" asked Nurse
Blair.s. - .~
Johnny knew Immediately. 'T'n
going to look at it and look at it ant
wish hard to be we1l,' he. answered
Johnny. when, your mamma comes
she will see it and it will make he
cry to think of the time when he
little boy was strong and well:' Yol
1 don't want to make her cry, do you
dear?" -
l. mo, ma'am," answered Johnny.
"Then, Johnny" said Nurse Blair