The citizen., 1914-12-18

aWhlle. MaW'S got TWO youngern me
and Pete. Pm 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, l read in my papes bout
that kid you fixed up last week, and
III bet ten cents Pete's legs just like
that. Thinks I, when 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 job like
that?"
81 received $4,000 for that opera
ton" There was merry twinkle in
the doctors eye that was lost on his
little visitor
cav, 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 well 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 l 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. 1 amt
in your class"
TON, sit down there" The doc
tors tone of command was filled with
more laughter than severity. Let's
talk business"
The youngster obeyed, watching the
eminent surgeon with puzzled look,
uncertain whether the great man was
really going to make a concession or
upbraid him for taking his time. Faint
though it was, q 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 Pete?" Tom gasped in
amaZement.
| Yes, have seen him down by the
fountain at the square. You know we
specialists always keep our eyes open
for anything in our line, so l have
the corner OF course, I can't say posi-
lively, but l think an operation will
give Pete two legs instead of one.
Now, how much can you afford to pay
for such an operation?"
The youngsters eyes shone like
|
Pete. and thought he could cure him!
Was it 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 a minute. The
surgeon knew what was going on in
| the youngsters mind, but thought best
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-
l 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 I'll 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 quick refusal
of his proposition, but the kindly gleam
came back into the Doctors eye and
Tom began to hope again as the doc
tor pondered over the proposition fog
moment. Then the doctor said:
"All right, Tom; I'll accept that
proposition, and we'll draw up the
agreement right now. Let's see, this
is December eighteenth. Well 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