The Ocala evening star., 1919-07-04
APan of
Shoes
CcoDynaht. 1913. By Western Newspaper UaiOn-l
BY RALPH HAMILTON

Il
profusely shook the hand of his rescu-
er, for such Wylie Grier had proved
himself to be.
The latter, humbly appareled, wear
ing sadly broken shoes and q battered
hat, was a strong, strange contrast to
the nattily attired Ford. The latter
did not seem to mind that one bit.
Truly democratic gratitude glowei
upon the forid face Of the convivial
shoe merchant His alcoholic expan-
siveness had led to q careless, swing
Ing motion. Grier had pulled him out
Of the way Of a bounding automobile.
He had recognized the rescue act In
its true proportions.
you're a good fellow" he repeated,
"and you just come with me-" and he
linked his arm In that Of Grier and led
the way to his neat, up-to-date store.
He gently urged Grier to a seat, re-
moved his hat and, although somewhat
unsteady on his pins, at once assumed
the bearing OF a man engaged in real
business.
Let me see," he mused audibly,
about number nine will fill the bill"
"But, say" demonstrated Grier feeb-
ly, I've got no money"
"Who said you had2 No need Of It."
retorted Ford keenly.
"And I'm not looking for pay for a
common, friendly act"
81 fancy know how near that ma
chine grazed me. You're going to get
q pair Of shoes, free gratis. Goodness
knows, you need them r. and Ford Sc
lected a pair that his clever eye dis
cerned was suited to heavy wear, 1T
this moneyless customer, but apprec-
ated rescuer, as courteously as though
he were q millionaire.
'T don't know how much to thank
you" spoke Wylie Grier, and there was
d little grateful catch In his voice.
Don't take me for q tramp who would
pawn or sell that comfortable foot
wear for a drink. But will you kind
ly do up the old ones? You see, I'm
and take all the odd jobs that come
along. Sometimes It's digging ashes,
and the old shoes will do for that"
"Sure," assented Ford graciously.
"And say, when / think Of that auto
mobile sort Of shudder. A drop too
much, Q step too slow-and bingoi
but It was a narrow escape" Then he
slapped Grier cheerfully on the shoul-
der, as If he was his friend and hero,
and Grier left the store, the bundle
containing his old shoes under his
arm. proud, pleased and encouraged.
For he felt that he deserved encour-
agement, did Wylie Grier. He had
been "on the water wagon" for two
months, and gradually, as his poor, be-
fogged brain had come out from under
the cloud Of years Of sodden indiffer-
ence, had given way to remorse, and
that to memory. and that to hope. He
tried to remember the wife and tive
children he had so cruelty abandoned,
whereas In the old, reckless days he
had sought only to forget them. And
! there grew up within him a longing. q
yesrning, a love restored for all he
had on earth to cling to.
Outside the shoe shop Grier noticed
what he had not seen before. Just
at the edge Of the sidewalk was q red,
white and blue barrel. Upon It was
q printed card: "Give your old shoes
for the barefooted men and women Of
Belgium" He made an involuntary
movement to place his discarded foot
wear in the barrel. Then a spasm Of
true emotion was manifested In his
face. In flash all that was generous
and tender in his nature came to the
surface. He walked over to a step.
removed the gift just awarded, put on
the old, broken shoes, deposited the
| new ones in the barrel and left the
spot, head erect, pulses beating fast,
glad and proud that fate had put it In
his way to bring out the best that
was in him.
From beyond the store window Ford
had noted, first with curiosity, then in
terest, and finally with a mantling
blush Of shame, the act so clearly out
lined that its noble motive could not
be misunderstood. He ran to the door.
"Hil You come back here" he
shouted after Grier, and grabbed his
arm and pulled him into the store as
Grier wonderingly approached him.
"You," to a staring clerk, "pick out
one pair Of every size In the establish
ment- Oh, say! I'm mean, self1sh-a
cadI You gave up your best, and I,
the Dragging patriot, the liberal Mr..
Ford donated twelve pairs OF tooth
pick, out-of-styie clumpers that would
make the Belgians below IL they tried
to wear themI Oh! Some one kick
mel And you-down and out? Well,
feel the lesson you've taught me
III make you a man again.
Which he did, within a week. In
neat attire, shaven, engaging and hope
full, Wylie Grier was a sort of general
utility man about the shoe store, earn
ing a respectable living.
One night the store was burglarized
and the safe blown open. At the cost
of a bullet in the arm, Wylie Grier
saved his employers cash and goods.