Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-16
The Argus Daily Story
A Little Lump-By Edward L. Stanton.
Copyrighted 1918. by Associated Literary Bureau

Of yourself which you have not tried"
What is it?'' asked eagerly.
Interest yourself in the welfare of
Others"
Il never thought Of that Do you
suppose il would work in my case?"
II think it would help you"
We were riding in my car, and a boy
stood on the sidewalk with newspapers
under his arm he was trying to sell.
His feet were bare; his shirt was open
in front for want of buttons and for q
profusion of tatters; his coat and trou-
sers were thin. 1 drew up near him
and bought a paper, handing him a Eve
dollar bill. He looked at 1t respondent
~, thinking that he would lose the sale
of paper. for he could not change 1t.
Never mind the change" l said,
and as we moved away l saw him
look at the bill, at me and at the
bill again. while the expression on his
face was delight to me.
by lover 1 exclaimed. ct works
first rate. I'm going back to get the
poor little chap and do some more
of it."
1 returned to the boy, took him into
my car, and we drove to a store, where
l spent money for clothes for him as
lavishly as 1 had been spending it on
myself. l couldn't keep my eyes OF
the expression Of wonder. Of delight,
that perpetually lowered on his fea-
lures. l didn't know what he needed,
but Adele did and thought Of many
things that would add to his comfort.
Now we must take him home" she
said when he was warmly dressed.
and, loaded down with packages, we
went to the car and presently drew up
at a tenement house, where we aston
ished his mother and his brothers and
sisters by presenting him to them in
his new habiliments. l had a roll OF
bills in my pocket, which distributed
among the children. left a check for
the mother, and Adele and l drove
away, followed by the blessings of the
family.
had often returned to my room &C
midnight to feel the doom that hung
over me by contrast with the gayety
I had experienced more keenly than
before going. The evening of my new
departure l spent with Adele, listen
ing to plans she prepared for more
giving the next day, and when l went
to bed felt greater relief than at any
time since l had learned that l must
die within the year. For the first time
since heard the announcement 1 went
to sleep with no room for it In my
mind for thinking of the happiness I
had created.
need not repeat the details Of my
charities, of which this was the be-
ginning. gained something in
strength as well as spirits. could not
see that the lump that was to kill me
was increasing, and l hoped that
might be permitted to live the full
time the doctor had allowed me. One
thing 1 noticed-I had less use for Ar
thur Anterior and more for Adele
SturgS. I spent my mornings recall
ing the pleased expressions of those I
had benefited and my afternoons go
ing about getting rid of my money
with Adele. The evenings l usually
spent with her, talking over our char
table work for the next day.
One night when l was going 10 bed I
looked at my lump. 1t was appreciably
smaller. 1 felt of II, and, whereas 10
had been hard, it was now soft won
dered if after all the great specialist
had not been mistaken in my case. The
next morning 1 went to him again. He
examined my symptom, and l saw at
once by his expression that 1t was NOT
as he had expected. l saw also that
what he was thinking about was how
he should admit to me that he had
been mistaken without injury to his
professional dignity.
This lump" he said at last, lis what
told you In the first place. But" he
waited a moment before going on to
give me time to be impressed-"buti 10
is variety that is harmless. l think it
will subside." -
l had a 500 check In my pocket
ready for him and, handing It to him,
got out as quickly as possible, fearing
that he would change his opinion again
before / could make an exit l few to
Adele to announce the good news, and
when did so met with the astonish-
ment of my life. She tried to congrat-
ulate me, but words would not come.
Then her relief found vent in tears, and
before l realized what l was doing I
had taken her in my arms and was
soothing her.
You have taught me how to forget
death as well as to live" I said to her,
land IL you consent we will together
pursue happiness as we have begun It.
Thanks to you, more than half of my
fortune remains, and we viii lay out =
certain part Of our income to be given
TO those in distress"
There are blessings in disguise which
we cannot control, but there are also
blessings we can control. Every act OF
loving kindness is such a blessing to
ourselves, though we are apt to con-
slider 1t a sacrifice and fail TO see It In
its true character. The most fortunate
expenditure / ever made was the fee
paid the great specialist for telling me
to prepare for death. for in preparing
for death l prepared for life. Besides,
he was instrumental in giving me my