Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1915-01-15

homeward.bound Brock was passing
a drinking resort, boots and tbs
sight Of struggling figure attracted
his attention.
A ragged, wretched looking man
was battling off a swarm of rough tor
mentors. They had pinned card to
his coat with "Kick mel" scrawled
upon It, had thrown the cap Of the
poor fellow into a watering trough,
and had bundled him about until he
was half frantic, tearing his thin,
threadbare clothing and tripping him
over into the mud of the street. {,
In a flash Brock recognized him
as Limpy Ted, a half-witted fellow
whose father had been employed at
the plant, and had met with fatal
accident In its service. The company
had given his widow a niggardly in
demnity. When 1t was used up she
demanded that the company give her
son work. This they did, but Limpy's
erratic spirit could not come under
the working system and they were
forced to discharge him. After that
Limpy hung around the works, the
butt OF the workmen. Some idle loi-
terers had been batting him just now.
You miserable scum!" shrieked the
frsnEied Limpy. You don't know
what's coming, I'll get even with you
and the works, see II I don't!"
shane on you, men!" cried Brock,
rushing forward and rescuing Limpy
from his tormentors. The crowd drew
back abashed. for they respected
Brock. who soothingly led Limpy away
from the scene and arranged his dis
ordered attire, bought him a new cap
at the nearest store, and gave him a
little change.
His extreme kindness broke down
all the resentment in Limpy's nature.
His mood had changed and he was
sobbing out his gratitude.
You're a good friend" he said
Il won't hurt you, II I do the rest"
Hurt nobody, Limpy.' advised
Brock. "In day or two I'll try to get
you some work. Stay away from the
mill and forget all about your
wrongs"
You're a true friend, and I'll try
pledged Limpy brokenly and wandered
, away.
1t was two hours later when Brock
and his parents were startled by q
vast rumbling Of the earth and O
, frightfully decorating explosion.
"What was that?" gasped Mrs. vii
, ton In terror.
"Over In the direction Of the old
oil we'll" began her husband, but
: Brock was out of the house and rush
ing excitedly in the direction indi
Gated before he could complete the
sentence.
, Less than three hundred yards o.
: progress accomplished, Brock can't
across a forlorn. staggering figure. Il
was Limpy Ted. His face was grimet
and one side OF 1t was bleeding.
why, Limpy!" exclaimed Brock.
81 did it," croaked Limpy. "Yo,
e were good to me, so got rid Of tn,
dynamite"
What dynamite?" questioned tn
puzzled Brock. -
THAT I stole, from the powde
, house. was going to blow up tn
whole plant with It. But after you
kindness to me was afraid i nigh
hurt you. So put temptations out Q
/. the way by dropping the stun dow
: that old well. 1t went of and nearl
caught me"
"Hark!" cried Brock. sag
A swishing, surglng unfamilla
sound struck his hearing. He ra
forward to come in sight Of the ol
we'll Straight up in the air full
eighty feet a. great spreading spra
was shooting-Limpy Ted had "struc
oll!" The dynamite had complete
: the work OF the drill. and the Wiltor
were rich.
SO rich that they provided for Linn
Ted comfortably for the rest OF b
life. Richer than the Dares even. an
on q social basis now equal to that
ne the woman he loved, Brock Wilton d
ny not hesitate to ask Eva to become b
Ia wife.