The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

&NISS and the steps leading tt
SNu the beautiful homes on the
SO~ boulevard where every hol
iday wish of the people
would be gratified.
The hright-eyed, thinly-clad boy OF
the steps OF one of these beautiful
homes was not wasting any time II
envying the rich. He had waited
there for some minutes for the big au
tomobile he knew was due to arrive
from the hospital about that time eacf
day.
The big car pulled up beside the
curb. A big. kindly-faced man stepped
from it and started up the steps.
Say, are you the doc?"
The surgeon paused halfway up thu
steps and glanced at the small bit o.
humanity balanced on the stone hand
rail-
Why, yes, my little man, what car
do for your" he asked tenderly, al
ne stepped over and put a hand or
the lads knee. He was familiar with
the type OF boy who had greeted him
and it was type of boy he liked, a
fearless, independent, little waif Of
the streets. In the great hospital, OF
which he was the head, they were his
most accomplishing and appreciative
patients, even II they were not the
profitable ones.
&Nothin' fer meself; it's fer me brud
der" The little fellow spoke earnest
" and looked straight into the emf
nent surgeons kindly gray eyes.
Your brother? Oh, see. Well
what's the matter with your brother?'
Cripple" The one word, with the
saddened tone. told the whole story
to Doctor Harrison. He knew the rest
OF the tale from long experience, and
asked no further questions.
Come in the house, and let's talk II
over"
Say, doc, I don't believe you want
me to come in. amt got no money
Why, that's just the reason | want
you to come in" the doctor replied
With merry twinkle In his eye, and
ran up the steps closely followed by
the small urchin. AS the door closed
behind them he seized the youngster
in playful bear hug, and landed him
In heavily upholstered leather chair.
Ii was such chair as that boy had
seen in the great shop windows, but
had never thought of sitting in, and
the warmth of it's soft cushions gave
a pleasant thrill to his shivering lit.
lie body.
What Is your name?"
tom MCGUIRE. You know Pat Nc
CURE that tends bar down in East
Downey street,"
No, don't believe do"
We'll, he's me uncle. and he says
you set his leg, time of the big rail
road smash-up at Hanover"
Yes. | remember going out to Han.
over with lot of other doctors at the
time of the accident; but that was ten
years ago"
THAT don't make any difference to
Uncle Pat. He never forgets favors
Guess he amt had many in his life"
Did your Uncle Pat send you to see
me?" asked the surgeon.
ANo"B ooS ~ pCSduSC Wudt uC tOlu
me bout you made me think it might
be all right to come and see bout
Pete's leg"
Where is your brother. Thomas?'
Jaw, don't call me that | amt
Thomas. I'm just Tom. Raggy Tom
they call me round the square sells
papes on the southwest corner Of the
square. Business amt so bad this
time O. year, and I'm breakin' in
Pete"
He can walk, then, can hep" The
physician had seated himself close to
his small caller. and was giving his
whole attention to the case in hand
Tell me more about Pete"
pete was born that way. Doctor
said one leg wasn't no good and never
vas goin' to be, so when Pete got big
enough, i saved me pennies and
bought him crutch. and after while
he got SOS he could use It, Then
took him down to the corner and he
helped me sell papes In rush hours
He likes to be doin' sonthin', but he
gets awful tired holdin' the papes and
hangin' on to his crutch."
Does he stay there all day?'
Nav, not all the time. Business
ain't rushin' only mornin's and
nights, and Pete stays home part OF
the time. On cold days he gifts shivery
cause he can't get round very fast
SOS to keep himself warm"
rs there any news stand on that
corner?" the doctor asked. becoming
still more interested.
Nav, we dassen't put one up. Billy
Hahn, he's the Teller what had that
corner before me, he tried to get
leave to put up stand alongside OF
the fountain where there's plenty OF
room, but the aldermen turned him
down. He didn't have no pull. and
amt got none neither. Me and Pete
was up on the northeast corner, and
when Billy got wet feet and pneumonia
and died, we come down to his cor
ner''
Tom. are your father and mother
living?"
Nav is. / dunno much about paw
He amt no good Uncle Pat says he
sees him hangin round once In
awhile. Maw's got two younger'r mc
and Pete. I'm ten and Pete's goin or
nine. Nav works awful hard takin
care of the kids and SEWN fer a de
partment store. She says to me one
time: Tom, you look after Pete ant
I'll take care of the young uns' Nav
can't hardly get enough to buy 'em
clothes, SO / chip in when biz is good