The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1921-10-28
U1e
Crows Nest
~o
BY FREDERICK CLARK
Copyright. 1919, by the wsstern News.
paper Union.)

John Burt, Il lonely man. except for
the company of an aged mother, came
down the spiral staircase ut the top
story of the city hall and started for
home. AS he took one elevator down,
another reached the top floor and
Young woman left it. She was far more
lonely than he. Wretchedness showed
in her face and her eyes roved about
her like those of q hunted being seek.
ing refuge.
She was Lucy Newton. and ever
since she could remember until recent
~ she had lived in Il lonely old house
In dead country town. a drudge to
q cross grained exacting relative.
When the latter had died Lucy had
come to the city. For days she had
walked the streets. seeking work but
finding none. Footsorc, weary. hungry.
deSpairing. she had been told to pre-
sent her case to the free employment
bureau at the city hall, to find the
offices closed. 1t was chill outside and
the building was Il warm welcome
shelter.
Il must rest for a little time" she
murmured brolenly, came to the spiral
staircase, noticed landing half way
up, sat down on its broad surface.
dropped utterly exhausted. and was
soon fast asleep.
I "Why! What is this?" came to her
confused hearing twelve hours later,
and she sat up and hlinked at the light
of new morning. John Burt, small
| parcel under his arm. stared down
strangely ut the haegard, frightened
refugee.
II was very tired" stanmered
Lucy. II had no place to 60. 1t was
| warm here---I meant no HARM"
You have done none" 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 turrpt
shaped room. the entire upper half
! of which was framed in glass. Over Il
hundred feet below was the street
Afar in every direction the city spread
/ out. She could not surmise the object
/ or utility of this narrow apartment.
This is the Crows Nest. as it is
i called" explained Burt. and I am its
! 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 bench on which
! was q small oil stove He lit il and
| took down 4 coffee pot from shelf,
! opened the parcel he had carried and
as his guest sat staring dreamily from
! the lofty eeric, placed on stand at her
| elbow q steaming cup of coffee and
his neonaay lunch.
He left his guest to herself rs he
set about his usual duties. With
telescope he swung the circle of his
tower room. When he noted some fac
tory chimney pouring out smoke he
would consult a chart. clock, and
finally write upon q tab such records
as: Drown and Company, plant
smoked for seventeen minutes. Appar-
entity use low grade fuel, with no
Htti'I.' consumer hiiHcilC toward
the girl he noted that she had fallen
asleep in her chair She awole about
noon, all embarrassment over a sense
of Intrusion upon the time and atten-
ton of a perfect stranger She arose.
words of gratitude upon her lips. and
tears came. she broke down utterly,
and then, as Burt gently questioned
her. all the somher story Of her lonely
life came ont.
Poor child.' he commented and
his hand rested like benson upon her
bowed head. 'You indeed need a
friend and know where to find YOU
one. have IN old mother who will be
glad as myself to shelter you as well
come visitor. until YOU are more able
to cope with a cold, heartless world"
The aged mother Of John Burt wei
coined Lucy Newton as only kind
hearted woman could do. 1t was we'll
that Lucy had fallen into such friend
'y hands. for she had an attack Of
fever lasting for over two weeks, One
evening during her convalescencc
she heard mother and son discussing
their affairs.
Yes. l feel l shall have to give I'm
my position" Burt was saying "The
doctor directs that 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. "lct
me be your eyes until you are all well
again-let me labor for you day and
night. If it Is necessary. to show you
how my soul prizes your helpfulness.
your kindness, and that of your moth
er for homeless, friendless orphan
grip
Lucy was duly installed in the