The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-08-03
CHAPTER vII-continued.

Here's some kind o. note" said
Lem. picking up one of the planks
which had been wrenched from the top
OF the case. 1t says: Sir Sir Ker-
night Charles b. Thomas Rip 'er
open. chummy; who's she from p
Charlie read:
To Sir knight Charles Brushly Thomas,
from a few OF his mul-mul-titood-i-nous
'ad-mirin' friends.
"Oh. DEAR" cried Charlie, looking
up with shining. pathetic eyes. ~
never invited the girls to my party"
Don't you fret, Charlie boy" COM
forted Mary Alice. "They couldn't have
come. They all went out OF town for
Christmas"
Everybody looked at Mary Alice.
An explanation was wanted.
ut vas Francis idea" she said.
First he wanted that him and me-
he and should give 1t to you; then
the girls heard about 1t. and they were
just crazy to help. l went to Mr.. VIII
let's office--I had to because-for a
reason-and at first he said he and
Mrs. Willett would do it all. But
told him the girls would be so disap-
pointed, and we fixed it this way. L
been so nervous, for fear 1t wouldn't
come. Mr.. Willett said he'd have It
sent out, but was afraid Isn't it a
dandy? It's better n any Stacey's
had in their whole art department.
SIR. Willett sent way to New York for
It,"
This was a long speech for Mary
Alice. She blushed and retired into
the shadows.
''You lazy critters, clean up this
mess" said Martha. Lem went out
with big armful OF rubbish, while
Sam followed with the empty case.
Charlie sat lingering the shiny instru-
ments, his eyes glistening with happi-
ness.
Hes got a real talent" Martha was
always insisting.
Sam returned to the sitting room
alone. There was a deal OF puzzllng
over the exact utilities OF the various
articles IN the outfit. Somebody looked
up; It was Mrs. Brown.
"What's become o. Lem7" she quer-
fed.
Just then the kitchen door swung
open and Lem, quite red in the face,
replied: "Here ] be-" He was push
ing before him a big and commodious
wheel-chair.
That's what wanted to go to
town for" be said. II wrote in and
bad It saved out for me; a friend
picked it out He's a storekeeper.
When l come home, druv around the
back way SOS Z nobuddyd see me.
Whaddayou think OF 'er, chummyY
or late Sam had been allowing Lem
q little money, in the interest OF
clothes and self-respect He wanted
20 see what Lem would do with II.
This was n part Of his treatment" In
the process Of reclamation. Now Sam
felt q queer, lumpy discomfort I'm the
neighborhood Of his Adams apple. az
n that member were trying violently
70 climb out through his mouth. lie
bii6ked.
Scrutiny showed Sam that Lem had
on the same humble suit Of clothes
which be had worn on the day he quit
iail. He had on the same blue cotton
shirt. with It's limp color II dawned
spon ihe Boss that al the clothes lem
had bought consisted OF a necktie Of
bot red, elaborateiy etched by macbln-
ery with floral decorations as modest
pa tho wallpaper 10 country hotel
LENS soul bad walked up. indeed
Behind the expressloniess eyes dwelt
sentiment tenderness human sympa.
thy. Lem had gone humbly without a
penny Of his own for four months, and
then With bis FIRST few dollars be had
bought a two.bit necttio for himself.
and this princely Offering to lay upon
re altar Of affection