The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1913-03-20


that | was not gaining much from the
money | was spending. There was
real sympathy in her face when she re
piled:
There is another way of getting out
Of yourself which you have not tried
What is itf" asked eagerly.
Interest yourself in the welfare Of
others"
II never thought Of that Do you
suppose il would work in my case?"
Il think 1t would help you"
We were riding in my car, and boy
stood on the sidewalk with newspapers
under his arm he was trying TO sell.
His feet were bare; bis shirt was open
in front for want of buttons and for a
profusion of tatters; his coat and trou-
sers were thin. drew up near him
and bought paper, handing him five
dollar bill. He looked at 1t despondent-
ly, thinking that he would lose the sale
Of paper, for be could not change it.
Never mind the change" | said,
and as we moved away | saw him
look at the bill, at me and at the
bill again, while the expression on his
face was a delight to me.
by Jover' | exclaimed 1T works
first rate. I'm going back to get the
poor little chap and do some more
of it."
| returned to the boy, took him into
my car, and we drove to a store where
spent money for clothes for him as
lavishly as | had been spending 1t on
myself. | couldn't keep my eyes Off
the expression of wonder, of delight,
that perpetually hovered on his fea-
lures | 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 tenement house, where we aston
ished his mother and his brothers and
sisters by presenting him to them In
his new habiiments. l had a roll of
bills In my pocket, which l distributed
among the children, left a check for
the mother, and Adele and | drove
away, followed by the blessings Of the
family.
! had often returned to my room at
midnight to feel the doom that hung
over me by contrast with the gayety
had experienced more keenly than
before going. The evening of my new
departure | spent with Adele, listen
ing to plans she prepared for more
giving the next day. and when | went
to bed felt greater relief than at any
time since | had learned that | must
die within the year. For the first time
since heard the announcement ! went
to sleep with no room for it In my
mind for thinking of the happiness ]
had created.
need not repeat the details of my
charities, of which this was the be-
ginning. gained something in
strength as we'll as spirits. | could not
see that the lump that was to kill me
was increasing, and | hoped that
might be permitted to live the full
time the doctor had allowed me. One
thing | noticed-I had less use for Ar
thur Atherton and more for Adele
Sturgis spent my mornings recall
ing the pleased expressions of those |
had benefited and my afternoons 60
ing about getting rid Of my money
with Adele. The evenings ! usually
spent with her, talking over our char
table work for the next day.
One night when | was going to bed ]
looked at my lump. 1t was appreciably
smaller. l felt of it, and, whereas 1t
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 | went to him again. He
examined my symptom, and | saw at
once by his expression that it was not
as he had expected | 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, ais what
told you in the first place. But" he
waited a moment before going on to
give me time to be impressed-"but 1t
is a variety that is harmless. ! think 1t
will subside"
had 500 check In my pocket
ready for him and, handing 1t to him.
got out as quickly as possible, fearing
that he would change his opinion again
before could make an exit flew 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 | realized what ! was doing
had taken her in my arms and was
soothing her
"You have taught me how to FORGE
death as we'll as to i've" said to her
"and II YOU consent we will together
pursue happiness as we have begun 1t
Thanks to you, more than half of my
fortune remains, and we will lay out
certain part of our income to be giveI
. TO those In distress"
There are blessings in disguise which
we cannot control. but there are als'
blessings we can control. Every act o
loving kindness is such a blessing t
ourselves, though we are apt to con
slider 1t a sacrifice and fail to see 1t Il
its true character The most fortunate
. expenditure | ever made was the fee
paid the great specialist for telling M
to prepare for death, for in preparing
for death | prepared for life. Besides
he was instrumental in giving me M