The citizen., 1914-12-18

eN tuhy WIbu OF tn6 people
would be gratified
The bright-eyed, thinly.clad boy on
the steps of one of these beautiful
homes was not wasting any time in
enyying the rich. He had waited
there for some minutes for the big au.
tomobiie he knew was due to arrive
from the hospital about that time each
!day.
The big car pulled up beside the
curb. A big. kindly-faced man stepped
from 1t and started up the steps.
Say. are you the doc?"
Phe surgeon paused halfway up the
steps and glanced at the small bit of
humanity balanced on the stone hand
rail.
. why. yes. my little man, what can
4 do for you?" he asked tenderly, as
he stepped over and put a hand on
the lads knee. He was familiar with
the type of boy who had greeted him,
and 1t 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 IL they were not the
profitable ones.
"Nothin' fer meself: it's fer me brud-
der" The little fellow spoke earnest
ly and looked straight into the emf
hent surgeons kindly gray eyes.
Your brother? Oh. l see. Well,
what's the matter with your brother?"
Cripple" The one word, with the
Baddened 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 it
over"
"Say, doc. I don't believe you want
me TO come in. amt got no money"
"Why, that's just the reason l 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
10 a playful bear hug, and landed him
In a heavily upholstered leather chair.
1t was such chair as that boy had
seen in the great shop windows, but
bad never thought of sitting in. and
the warmth OF it's soft cushions gave
a pleasant thrill to his shivering lit
tie body
what is your name?"
"Tom Mcclure. You know Pat Nc
CURE that tends bar down in East
Downey street,"
mo, | don't believe do"
We'll. he's me uncle, and he says
yon set his leg, time of the big rail-
road smash-up at Hanover"
Yes. remember going out to Han
over With a 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 fayors.
Guess he amt had many in his life
"Did your Uncle Pat send you to see
me?" asked the surgeon.
Nav. but It's because what he told
me bout you made me think 1t 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 cali me round the square sells
square. business amt so bad this
time o. year, and I'm breakin' in
Pete"
"He can walk. then. can he?" 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
was goin' to be, SO when Pete got big
enough. | saved me pennies and
bought him a 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 ali the time. Business
amt 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
coner?" the doctor asked. becoming
still more interested.
Nav. we dassen't put one up. Billy
Hahn. he's the feller what had that
r 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 |
afn't got none neither. Me and Pete
was DIP on the northeast corner. and
when Billy got wet feet and pneumonia
and died. we. come down to his cor
ner."
fTnrn awo vour fathar and mother