The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-10-16
CAL CLARK'S CHANGE
BY W. CRAWFORD SHERLOCK.

Five feet one was the height of Cal
Clark and this was only when he stood
upon his good leg. When he rested
upon his short, twisted limb, 1t was
with difficulty that he could reach the
five-foot mark. In addition to the mis-.
fortune of having legs Of uneven
length, Cal possessed a popularity OF
vision that enabled him to get around
during the day, although not permit
ting the luxury of reading or writing.
When the shades OF night fell, or when
he was subjected to artificial light, the
poor fellow was as blind as bat.
His situation had once been very
serious indeed. Unable to secure any
work on account of his afflictions and
the slender store of money he had in
herited from his father having become
exhausted, he was weighing deeply the
advisability of seeking home III the
almshouse. Just what steps we're re-
quisite to secure admission to this in
stitution was a poser to Cal, although
he knew full well 1t must be done. He
made his wish known to his only
friend, Jim Collins, a hardworking me-
chanic, but the latter would not listen
to such plan.
mot much, CAL my boy" declared
the stalwart Jim, glancing kindly at
his diminutive friend; mo poorhouse
for you while I've got home to share
with you. My wife will be glad to
have you and you can do lots of
things around home to help us out"
After some hesitation. Cal accepted
the kind offer, resolving to do every
thing he could in return for the home
he would have. Mrs. Collins soon
grew to be very fond of the little man,
who would do anything sooner than
eat the bread of dependence.
Calls chief delight was in the eve
ings after Jim returned from work
The supper dishes cleared away and
the children tucked snugly into bed,
the two men would sit with their
pipes, Jim reading and Cal listening,
to the evening paper.
Thus they lived until an event oc-
Cured that came near upsetting the
arrangements of the little home. Jim
was taken ill; his malady developed
into a dangerous fever that prostrated
him for weeks. He was one Of those
easy-going men who took life as it
came and 1t so happened that there
| had been very little provision made
for rainy day. Matters grew serious,
the little stock of money became ex-
hausted and Mrs. Collins was at her
wits end to secure more. She could
not work herself; the care of Jim and
the children prevented that. How was
help to come?
/ The answer came from the most
unexpected source. Cal shrewdly
guessed that affairs were in criti-
cal state and at once blamed himself
for it. Had it not been for the added
expense he had caused the family
would have been able to lay aside suf
ficient to carry them over the period
of Jims illness. He was the cause
of it all and upon him rested the re-
sponsibility of relieving the situation.
What could he do to get money? Cal
scratched his head until the bald spot
grew bigger and the wrinkles on his
forehead deepened. He would try to
secure work, but where could he ge.
it? He sought employment. but with
out success. Some laughed at him,
others jeered him, while others offer
ed him such work as he could not do.
At last he hit upon a plan and one
day returned home with handful Of
money, mostly pennies, but here and
there stray dime and nickel. This
he proudly placed on the table and
called Mrs. Collins to count it.
"Why, Cal, where in the world did
you get all this money!" she ques-
toned, after finding out there was
over a dollar in the pine.
81 got it honesty, ma'am," returned
the little man, but he would furnish
no information as to the source from
which the money came. Mrs. Collins
was too glad to get it to worry much
about the matter. Each day there
after Cal returned with a supply Of
money, sometimes more and some
times less than on the first day, but
never without any.
Slowly Jim grew stronger and at
length was able to return to work.
ueu Sdi ulooPPCoiOu' Lib hiAohu
sought for him but for long time
| could find no trace Of the lame.
| half-blind man. He seemed to have
| left the face of the earth. One day
Jim heard of man, answering his
friends description though bearing a
different name, who had been sent to
the almshouse. Thither Jim went and
found Cal Clark registered under the
name of Thomas Burns.
What does this mean, Calf" de-
manded Jim, somewhat sternly. "Why
did you leave home and come here?'
"'Twasn't my fault. Jim." pleaded
Cal, holding his friends hand as II
he did not intend to part with It,
They'll tell If don't, 80 / will. You
see, Jim, when money got scarce al
home, l knew 1t was all my fault. Sc