The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-06-05
TIM ASSISTING
BY JACK LAYTON

into two different worlds. Below in
the valley, sQualor relgned, and
wIckedness, while upon the beauti-
full sloplng hillside were well kept
homes and orderly, worthy people.
Jimmy Ryan, lived in the valley.
The doctor discovered Tim there, for
he considered the finding of the I'M
usual boy discovery.
Doctor Wells had turned with
kindly smile to the pathetically eager
face appraised to his.
"Come and see me, Tim" he i'm
pulslvely invited. I'D like to talk to
you"
And Tim scrubbed and mended, had
gone. That was but the beginning Of
mutually helpful visits.
Il don't know" the physician told
his wife, "when ! have been so re-
freshed. That Irish lad is tonic to
tired nerves and Encouragement In
human nature. His belief In peo-
pie is inspiring. How, in the depths
of the Valley, did he come by all his
wise philosophical"
"The last book you gave me-" Tim
was saying sis very good book, 1t
Is. And It's writ by the lady that
lives on the hill. Often I've watched
her go by, and thought what might
It be like to write whole book, 300
or more pages, an all of 'em wrltin'.
And, do you know, It's just boys
books that she writes2 And about how
everything, by an by, will depend on
us boys that's growing up, an what
we'll be then. You got to begin with
the boys her book says"
Tim leaned forward thoughtfully.
I'm goln' up TO her house, an ask
her to begin with me now. l want to
be something big, an good, maybe a
doctor. I'll ask the writer lady how
you begin"
Doctor Wells watched the small de-
termined figure down the street, then
FASTENED to his telephone; writer
ladies' were apt to be occupied, and he
did not want Jimmy Ryan TO be dis
appointed. She came, therefore, TO
greet her young visitor, as he entered
the garden. side by side, on the round
bench beneath the tree they talked II
over. Then, while Jimmy unknow.
Ing waited, the writer lady In turn
called up the wise physician. Doctor
Wells listening, heard first her soft
note of laughter
Opportunity" Constance Dare told
him, lis knocking at our door; we
must help Tim on TO his best you and
l."
Gavin Bruce. city surgeon. was
surprised few days later, TO re-
ceive letter from his old college
friend, John Wells.
And II you will take Jimmy" the
letter ended, II am sure that he will
make himself useful enough, after
school hours, to pay for his keep. He
wants no money"
If Doctor Bruce had not that very
day been troubled with an impertlnent
furnace man, Tlmmies chance might
have been denied him. But he had not
been in the great-yet lonely-mHn's
home two weeks before the Irish lads
Infectious good nature and bright
courage found him placed. Gavin kept
up the home mansion, because he had
started practice there, when his mother
had been with him, and because 1t
seemed the natural thing to do. But
1t had been for years an empty place,
with only servants to give him wei.
come. Now, In his rare leisure hours,
Doctor Bruce found himself laughing
enjOyably over Tins Shrewd humor.
And why" asked the boy one night,
did you never marry? Some poor
woman's missed good husband"
II did not find the right one" the
doctor replied, amused, "or rather,
found the wrong one, and so remained
single"
Tim nodded. YOU'D have hard
time finding one fine enough to speak
your language he said and paused.
Il know one that could"
The surgeon turned, smiling, in his
chair.
Its the writer lady, Tim told him.
The hearty laugh OF Gavin Bruce
echoed,
"a Cupid, Tlm1" he asked. But Tim
was gravely serious.
Its the sweet understanding ways
of her. he said, "an' the kindness OF
her, an maybe the blue eyes OF her
but you can't play up Cupid to those
things, they've just got to happen,
said Tim. doctor, would you be af-
ter lettln' me go to see me mother to-
morrow? I'll leave things alright In
the garage, an be back to fix the
furnace. No school Saturday you
know"
The doctor nodded as he went to-
ward the phone. Replacing the re-
celver, he turied to the boy.
"That was our friend Wells" he
explained, urging me TO drive out to
Baytown tomorrow, to pay him n
visit Think I'll take the day Off and
go, Like to ride home with me, TimT'
1t was too much to expect, that a
busy surgeon would drive at evening
down to Bayt0wh Valley, to call for a
small helper, SO Tim asked that he
might be called FOR at the home Of the
writer lady. This was central, and 1t