The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-22

H6fy CdllaHdn HeunelS, Tn the SleVe- land Plain Dealer.
 C7C1 HE chatter of wooden crutches died away. The ,clink Of metal leg and back braces was stilled. Little heads raised from l white pillows and strained eagerly toward the door which led onto the open air chamber of the little crip- pied children at Rainbow cottage. There were gasps of anticipation and gUrgles of pleasure as the little kid dies out on Green road awaited 2 pr omised pleasure.
 Suddenly the door opened. In flew two huge shoes, loose black suit, red wig and battered black derby hat, and when these were all assem- bled there stood before the expec- tant audience the children's idol, Keith's funniest clown, Toto. And the expression that came over the faces of those 40 or more little crippIes cramped with cruel braces, was thing to scar the minds of all who saw it. It was the look that comes from long and intense suffering; 1t was the glorifed expression of de- light and gratitude that belongs only 10 those who know but little pleas ure.
 And Toto, who had bounded in all full of pep and foolishness, stopped dead still before the scene that greeted him. He was like one strick- en- His face paled. Hin fingers dug into the soft fur of the faithful poodle dog he carried under his arm. The discarded crutches sickened him: the sight of little bodies stretched on beds rent his soul. while the look of anticipation and excitement in the eager eyes clutched at his heart- strings until 1t tugged and tore and twisted. He could scarcely breathe with emotion as he gazed at those little tots before him who had never known the joys of childhood, the rough and tumble foolery that is the biggest part of kid days. The pa- thetic horror that he witnessed in that one glance brought home to Toto the thoughtfulness and selfish- ness of human nature and made him realize the hazards of fate. Somehow in that moment his funny antics turned to ghastly nonsense and his face contracted in an ugly Erimace. He seemed to crumple like a paper clown and slowly a tear coursed | down the grotesque, painted face of the worlds funniest man.
 But the children only howled with glee at his contorted features. To them the tear was just one of his tricks and brought forth screams of delight They called at him, they clapped their hands, but 1t seemed to Toto that he could not respond for tho heart of him was heavy and his clowning seemed an empty art.
 And then a dawning light seemed to sweep over him, an understanding seemed to floor his brain and his be- ing was filled with & sudden thank fulness that he could walk about and enjoy the wonders of creation. He
 seemed suffused with will, desire to atone in some way to these suf. l fering little victims of fortune.
 He jerked himself together. It was l rot what he felt that was to be con sidered It was the childrens hap- l piness. He was possessed of a new energy. He seemed fired with a new | determination, something that caused him to .oss his head, give his inimitable laugh and begin his funny stunts. He turned somersaults in the center of the room where all could see He lost his legs in the vast pam taloons he wore while the youngsters screamed and yelled as he searched 1 them. Never once did he speak as he went through every pantomimic trick he could think of. each one fun nier than the last but all the while
 the striking personality behind the grinning mask, the lovable something that has endeared Toto to all the
 world. was exerting itself. He was creeping into the hearts of the chill
 dren. He was building . bridge Of
 confidence between himself and them.
 and each one felt that Toto was his
 own particular top He was no long
 CT strange to them ans slowly the
 expression on their changed