Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1914-12-18
By
6. Br.


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 and
Ill take care of the young uns Nav
can't hardly get enough to buy EN-
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 l, when I read that, I'm
goin' to see Doc Harrison and tell him
bout Pete Now, doc, on the level,
how much do you charge for a job like
that?"
Il received $4,000 for that opera
ton" 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."
Yes, in two hours. Tom"
The youngsters eyes filed 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.
"Oh, yes. indeed but you asked me
how much received for an operation
like last weeks, and never per
formed one just like that before 1t
was very difficult and peculiar"
Tom slid out of the chair as if to
go. II guess it's all off, doc. / amt
in your class"
tom, sit down there" The doc
tors tone of command was flied with
more laughter than severity. Lets
talk business
The youngster obeyed. watching the
eminent surgeon with a puzzled look,
uncertain whether the great man was
really going to make a concession or
upbraid him for taking his time. Faint
| though 1t was, new hope sprang up
in the small breast. Possibly there
might be some terms Of payment that
he could meet as he grew older and
could earn more than the few pennies
that meant the days profits on his
paper sales.
tom" the doctor continued. 81
know Pete"
You know PetS?" Tom gasped in
amazement
Yes, l have seen him down by tho
fountain at the square. You know we
specialists always keep our eyes open
for anything in our line, so / have
noticed him several times as l passed
the corner. OF course. can't say posi-
tiYely, but | think an operation viii
give Pete two legs instead of enc.
Now, how much can you afford to pay
Tor such an operation?"
The youngsters eyes shone like
two live Goals. So the doctor knew
Pete, and thought he could cure him!
| Was it a dream? Tom pinched him
self to make sure it was all real Yes,
he was awake all right. How much
could he afford? He felt he could af-
ford anything to give Pete a new leg,
! but how little that was compared with
! what the doctor would expect, Both
| sat in silence for over minute. The
surgeon knew what was going on in
| the youngsters mind, but thought hest
to let him come to his own conclusion.
| The boy fumbled his cap nervously'
| While he considered the great ques-
tion, and at length looked up suddenly
into the surgeons face. There was no
doubt or uncertainty in his face or
tone as he announced his decision.
DOC. the only thing I'VE got in the
world is me corner down by the foun-
tain, where me and Pete sells papers.
can't give you all that, for wouldn't
have nuthin' for me and Pete TO live
on and to help NAV with the kids. I'll
tell you what III do, doc, I'll let you
have half O. that corner You can hire
kid to sell papes fer you and have
some dough left. but you won't make
| no $4,000 in kingdom come"
The doctor knit his brows and Tom
imagined he could see a quick refusal
of his proposition. but the kindly CLEAN
came back into the doctors eye and
Tom began to hope again as the doc
tor pondered over the proposition for
moment Then the doctor said:
"AlI right, Tom; I'll accept that
proposition, and Wen draw up the
agreement right now. Let's see, this
is December eighteenth. Wen start
the new arrangement beginning with
January first"
In the course of a quarter Of an
hour the paper was duly prepared and
signed and Witnessed, and Tom saw
the doctor file it carefully in the strong
box in his safe. With a hearty hand
shake, the surgeon babe adieu to his
ten-year-old man of affairs, and turn
ed to a patient waiting in the outer
Office