The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-07-25
CAL CLARK'S CHANCE
~ w. CRAWFORD SHERLOCK.

| Clark ana this was Onfy Wnen ne StOOu
upon his good leg. When he rested
upon his short, twisted limb, It 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 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 Affections 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 in the
almshouse. Just what steps were re-
quisite to secure admission to this in.
stitution was poser to Cal. although
he knew full we'll it must be done. He
made his wish known to his only
friend, Jim Collins, hardworking me.
chanic, hut the latter would not listen
to such a plan.
Not much, Cal, my boy" declared
the stalwart Jim, glancing kindly at
his diminutixe friend; mo poor,house
for you while I've got a home 10 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.
Gals 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 &C.
CURED that came near upsetting the
arrangements Of the little home. Jim
was taken i'll; his malady developed
into dangerous fever that Frustrated
him for weeks. He was one Of those
easy-going men who took life as 1t
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 a 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.
(icient to carry them over the period
Of Jim's illness. He was the cause
Of 1t all and upon him rested the re.
sponsibility of relieving the situation.
What could he do to get money? Cal
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 get
t? He sought employment, but with.
out success. Some laughed at him,
,thers jeered him, while others Offer
ID him such work AS he could not do.
At last he hit upon a plan and one
lay returned home with a handful Of
money. mostly pennies, but here and
here stray dime and nickel This
le proudly placed on the table and
.alled 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
,ver dollar in the pine.
Il got it honesty, ma'am," returned
he little man, but he would furnish
10 information as to the source from
which the money came. Mrs. Collins
vas too glad to get it to worry much
bout the matter. Each day there
lfter Cal returned with a supply Of
money, sometimes more and some.
lines less than on the first day, but
lever without any.
Slowly Jim grew stronger and at 4
ength was able to return to work.
Then Cal disappeared. His friend
fought for him but for long time
,ould find no trace of the lame,
lalf-blind man. He seemed to have
eft the face Of the earth. Ore day
lin heard of man, answering his
riend's description though bearing a
lifferent name, who had been seat to
he almshouse. Thither Jim went and
ound Cal Clark registered under the
lame of Thomas Burns. !
"What does this mean, CALI" de- ,
handed Jim, somewhat sternly. why
i'd you leave home and come here?"
"'Twasn't my fault, jim" pleaded
,al, holding his friends hand as II
10 did not intend to part with 1t.
They'll tell if I don't, so will. You
ee, Jim, when money got scarce at
ome, l knew it was all my fault. So .
started to get some The only way
could do was to beg for 1t and this
did. It's strange people will give
on money for charity but they won't
i've q fellow a chance to earn 1t.
,haf,a hon, did until tho dru rnii |