Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-01-02
az
Crows Nest
BY FREDERICK CLARK
Copyright. 1919 BY the Western News
paper Union)


Holm Burt. Il lonely ran. except for
'hc company Of :u aged mother. came
i"wn the spiral staircase ut the top
story Of the city hall and started for
h"!h". As he took one elevator down.
another reached The top floor and a
Young woman left It. She was far more
lonely than he. WrrtchrdneSS showed
III Ter face and her eyes rovcd about
her like those OF hunted being seek
inC refuge.
She waS Lucy Newton. and ever
SINCE She could remember until recent
~ Sh" had lived in Il lonely old house
IN dead country town. 81 drudge to
cross grained rXacting relative.
When tlc latter had died Lucy had
come tn the city. For ,layS she hal
vailed the streets. seeking work bu,
Hhding none. FOotSore. weary. hungry.
dc>pair:ng. she had been told TO prc-
sent her ease to The free employment
Har'an ut tie city hall. to find the
"iEccS closed. II was chill outside and
The huiidin. WAS warm welcome
shelter.
Il must rest Tor little time" she
muriIured hrokcnly. came 10 the spiral
staircase. noticed a landing half Way
M. sat down on its broad surface,
dropped utterly exhausted. and was
Snon fas: asleep.
"Why. What Is ,his?" came to her
confused hearing twelve hours larcr.
ami she sat up and blinkcd at the light
81 Il new morning. John Burt. a small
parcel under his arm. stared down
strangely M the ba@gard frightened
refugee.
IL was very tired" stamucrcd
Lucy. II had no place to 90. II was
warm herr--I meant no HARM"
"iou have done nome" Burt quickly
answered her In the kindliest of tones.
wait until l unlock the door" and
he stepped past her. Come In and
rest bit"
Lucy stared vaguely. Her host had
opened the door Of queer turret
shaped room. the entire upper half
or which was framed in glass. Over
hundred feet below was the street.
Affair." in every direction the city 81 adj
out. She could not SurmiSe the object
or utility Of this narrow apartment.
"This is the Crows Nest. as 1t IS
Called explained Burt. land I am It's
keeper. employed by the city to note
smoke violations. watch. specify and
report the same. There Is comfort
able arm chair"
Burt went over to q bench On which
was small oil stove. he lit 1t and
took down n coffee pot from shelf.
opened the parcel he had carried md
as his guest sat staring dreAmily from
the lofty ecrie. placed on n stnnd ut her
elbow steaming cup Of coffee and
his monday lunch.
He left his guest to herself as he
set about his usual duties. With q
telescope he swung the circle of his
tower room. When he noted some fac-
tory chimney pouring out smoke he
would consult Il chart. Il clock. and
finally write upon q tab such records
rs: Brown and Company. plant
smoked for seventeen minutes Appar-
emily use low grade fuel. with no
smoke consumer" CHANGING toward
the girl he noted that she had fallen
asleep In her chair. She awoke about
noon. all embarra Ssment over Il sense
OF intrusion upon the time and atte!-
ton OF q perfect stranger She arcs
words Of gratitude upon her lips. and
sears came. she broke down utterly,
and then. rs Burt gently questioned
her. all the Solnbcr story Of her lonely
HE came out.
poor child" he commented. and
his hand rested like bcniSon unon her
bowed head. You indeed need a
friend. and I know where to find YOU
one. ! have an old mother who will he
glad as myself to shelter you as n wei
come visitor. until YOU are more able
to cope with cold. heartlcss world"
The aged mother Of John Burt wei
,o:red Lucy Newton rs only kind
hearted woman could do. II was well
that Lucy had fallen into such friend
~ hands. for she had an attack Of
fever lasting for over two weeks. One
evening during her convuIcscence
she heard mother and son discussing
their affairs.
yes, I feel I shall have to give M
my position" Burt was saying "Thc
doctor directs that I must rest my
eyes completely for six months. 1t has
got so that l cannot locate the smoke,
not even with the telescope"
A wave Of infinite love swept over
the mind OF Lucy as she realized how
much she owed to these good kind
people. She glided into the adjoining
room and approached the grave. faced
Burt and his anxious mother.
ooh. Mr. Burt :" she pleaded. "let
me be your eyes until you are all well
again--let Inc labor for you day and
night. II II is necessary, to show you