The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1914-12-29
Fitch 6. Bryant 4

awhile. Maw's got two younger'n me
and Pete. I'm ten and Pete's goin' on !
nine. Nav works awful hard takin' !
care of the kids and SEWN fer de- |
partment store. She says to me one
time: Tom, you look after Pete and
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.
Say, doc, / read in my papes bout
that kid you fixed up last week, and
I'll bet ten cents Pete's legs just like
THAT. Thinks |, when l read that I'm
lgoin' to see Doc Harrison and tell him
I bout Pete Now, doc, on the level
how much do you charge for job like
Ithat?"
II received $4,000 for that opera
ttion." There was merry twinkle in
the Doctors eye that was lost on his
little visitor.
Jaw, say, doc, wot yer givin' me-?
You didn't make all that in one day."
Eyes, in two hours, Tom"
The youngsters eyes filled with
tears, and he bit his lip to hold back
the sobs. A good leg meant so much
to Pete, and he would gladly give
$4,000 for one for him if that were
possible, but the doctor might have
as we'll asked for the moon in pay
ment for that leg. His vision of Pete
without the hated crutch was fast dis
appearing, but he would not let it get
away entirely.
Don't you never charge no less?'
the boy managed to ask, without CIV
ing away to the burst of tears ready
to flow at his disappointment.
ooh, yes, indeed; but you asked me
how much l received for an operation
like last weeks, and / never per
formed one just like that before. Il
was very difficult and peculiar"
Tom slid out OF the chair as If t.
go. II guess it's all off, doc. | ain
In your class
tom, sit down there" The doc
tors tone of command was filled will
more laughter than severity. Let
talk business"
The youngster obeyed, watching tn
eminent surgeon with a puzzled look
uncertain whether the great man wa
really going to make concession o
upbraid him for taking his time Fain
though it was, a new hope sprang u
in the small breast. Possibly Their
might be some terms of payment tina
he could meet as he grew older an
: could earn more than the few pennie
: that meant the days profits on hi
= paper sales.
"Tom," the doctor continued,
know Pete"
: "You know Peter Tom gasped
amazement.
Yes, have seen him down by tn
. fountain at the square. You know
: specialists always keep our eyes ope
for anything in our line, SO | hav
noticed him several times as | passe
: the corner or course, can't say pos
: lively, but l think an operation wi
give Pete two legs instead Of on
!. Now, how much can you afford, to pa
: for such an operation?"
= The youngsters eyes shone liz
two live Goals. So the doctor kne
y Pete and thought he could cure hin
.; Was it dream? Tom pinched hir
self to make sure it was all real. Ye
q, he was awake all right. How mut
could he afford? He felt he could a
ford anything to give Pete new lie
!. but how little that was compared Wi
- what the doctor would expect! Boz
-! sat in silence for over a minute. tt
:, surgeon knew what was going on
the youngsters mind, but thought be
~ to let him come to his own conclusio
% The boy fumbled his cap nervous
. while he considered the great que
- tion, and at length looked up sudden
Il into the surgeons face. There was
, doubt or uncertainty in his face
~ tone as he announced his decision.
- doc, the only thing I've got in t
>. !, world is me corner down by the fou
~ tain, where me and Pete sells papel
:, / can't give you all that, for wouldl
= have nuthin' for me and Pete to Ii
= on and to help NAV with the kids.
Z. tell you what I'll do, doc, I'll let y
~ have half o. that corner. You can hi
70 kid to sell papes fer you and ha
: some dough left, but you won't ma
- no $4,000 in kingdom come"
- The doctor knit his brows and Tt
al imagined he could see quick refu:
~ of his proposition but the kindly giles
came back into the doctors eye a
,, Tom began to hope again as the d
tor pondered over the proposition
20 moment. Then the doctor said:
nv "All right, Tom; I'll accept Il
Of proposition, and Wen draw up
agreement right now Let's see, t
al is December eighteenth. Well st
10 the new arrangement beginning W
January first"
ly In the course of a quarter OF
ar, hour the paper was duly prepared 6
of signed and witnessed, and Tom S
~ the doctor file it carefully in the strt
~ box in his safe. With a hearty ha
Inn shake, the surgeon babe adieu to
7 ten-year-old man of affairs, and tu