The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-05

"As soon as I get the stiffness out
of my hands. sir, I'll fix you up. for
I've studied temporary surgery good
deal, and have really set two legs
and one arm during the past six
months. I'll do all I can for you,
with my companions assistance" So
promised Paul, warming his hands
after rubbing them well with snow
from just outside the door.
How have you managed to keep
such f1re?" asked Lloyd, looking
pityingly on the injured old man.
II had piled a lot of wood there
beside the fireplace several days ago,
for I knew from the way the animals
were acting that a storm was on its
way here. You see, I'm a trapper
and just lately came here from down
on Snake River. There's good fur in
this wood. and I want to get some of
1T. But for three days the critters
have been preparing for this storm.
1t takes a trapper's knowledge of
the habits of wild critters to teach
folks about weather. But
please don't talk SO much. sir"
urged Paul. 'I'll set about fixing that
ankle now. for my fingers are limber-
Ing UP bit. Now, I'll take my shirt
for bandages, and If I need more, will
call for my chum's shirt"
The old man laughed, and Paul
and Lloyd set to work. caring for his
hurts. Paul declared the break a
simple one, "as clean a break as
could be made, without a silver or
crushed fiesh.v And the wrist proved
to be sprained. but had no broken
bones.
After the old trapper was made
comfortable. the boys set about to
prepare meal of freshly killed sauir-
rel and rabbit which the trapper had
brought in the day of his hurt and
had hung outside the cabin Corn
meal and bacon and potatoes and
coffee and dried fruit were in abun-
dance, and soon a very appetizing
dinner was set upon the floor beside
the old mans bed, a newspaper a
month old serving as a cloth,
And so the night passed away, the
boys lying on blankets before the
cheering fire, while the old trapper
slept peacefully, resting we'll after
his kind young guests attention to his
hurts.
When the morning came the storm
had almost spent itself, and Paul set
out to the nearest neighbor's to phone
to town for a doctor and also to
phone to his parents and to his
cousins home, relieving the dear ones
of their anxiety. Lloyd remained
with the trapper till after the doctors
visit, then he went on his way to
the Grants place. leaving Paul to
look after their host.
That same evening a young fellow
from the Grant farm was sent to
relieve Paul of his duties as nurse
and cook to the trapper, and Paul
Joined his cousin, and their visit with
the Grant children, though only over
Sunday night, was one of the happiest
they had ever enjoyed. And on the
following morning, bright and early.
they started homeward. going out of
their way to peep in on their old
friend, who promised to come to see
them as 81 on as he was able to get
about.
"Well miss a halliday of school,"
reminded Paul, as they trudged along
the snow-piled road But ! don't
mind that. so long as our getting lost
meant succor to a soul in Distress.
THAT was just what 1 was think
ing" observed Lloyd Happenings
which at first seem unfortunate, turn
out to be blessings in disguise. II
we hadn't got lost, we'd never have
found the injured trapper, and he
might have died through need of at
tention. I'm glad we got lost. SO I
am"
"Ditto here" affirmed his cousin.