The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1922-12-28
Big Bill, the
Life-Saver
By CLARA DELAFIELD

Big Bill Burgess, lying on the OPP
Grating table in the theater, looked at
the man beside him and uttered
groan of disgust.
whats tn matter Bill?' asked the
house surgeon, as he took the dripping
lancet from the nurse.
"Wow |" said Bill. Say you let a
drop Of that boiling water drip on my
neck. Say, Doc, that chap looks as If
he's got too much blood already"
$50 he has, Bill" answered the doc
tor. That's why he can't afford to
lose any. He isn't used to 1t like you.
Lucky his nose did start bleeding,
though, or he'd have had stroke.
Ready, Bill"
Jaw, say" muttered BIZ, "you
oughtn't to have given the sleep-stuff
to him doc I'd have liked to see
him sweat
Come on, now, can the converse
ton -
With a sigh of submission Big Bill
Burgess submitted. Big Bill was the
.
TRANSMISSION was necessary, Big Bill
was called upon to furnish pint or
so of blood. He had held his job two
or three years. He got hundred a
month, and was operated on about
once In three weeks. Not bad way
of earning ones living when one got
used to it. Besides, the tips were con-
siderable. Once he got five hundred
dollars from grateful patient.
But while the doctor punctured his
artery and the blood trickled into the
connecting tube Big Bill watched the
man beside him in increasing disgust.
The big stiff He had enough blood
already to supply full-grown bullock
What did he want to take his blood
for?
The sense Of injury grew on him as
he saw the victim of the nose-bleeding
wheeled away to a room. Big Bill was
hardened After a stiff glass of some
thing strong he went home in taxi.
Mrs Big Bill put him to bed. Next
day he was up and about the house.
1t was all In the days job, and mans
got to live somehow.
Three days later he was back az
the hospital The house-surgeon grin
ned when he saw him.
"Mr. McSnide's crying to see you,
BILL" he said. "Calls you his bene-
factor. Go and see him. There may
be something in it for you"
Jaw, say!" Bill grunted. Neyerthe-
less, he went up to the room where
Mr.. McSnlde lay and from the ex-
pensive traveling-bag and other things
} Bill saw that Mr.. McSnide was
wealthy.
The bloated, beefy figure lolled on
the pillows.
my benefactorw he cried, extend
ing both his arms.
Jaw, can the sob-stuffW Bill
growled under his breath.
you've given your blood to save
my life" whimpered McSnide. Great
err love hath no man than this. You
, are my benefactor."
"Whatdya want2" growled Big Bill.
"To thank you from the bottom of
my heart" said Mr.. McSnide. II shall
never forget"
II don't believe / shall either" said
Big Bill.
Mr.. McSnide was up week later.
He sent for Big Bill. He thanked him
in n broken voice. He gave him a
two spot. He called him his benefac.
tor. The pretty Irish nurse with the
ginger hair told Bill Mr.. McSnide was
his baby boy. BIZ went away with
fury raying in his heart
I'D like to soak that guy!" he NUT
tered. Gave my good blood fer him, l
did, | did. Can you beat that2 Say,
Doc, If that big stiff sends fer me
again I'm going to soak him one"
Have a heart You'd bust him,
Bill" said the house-surgeon.
Big Bill had not been called on for
three weeks. He was in fighting fet-
tie. He kicked his heels all day about
the hospital.
Bill, McSnde's going out tomor-
, row." said the house surgeon. HE
Z wants to say good by and thank you"
Bill went upstairs with battle In his
eyes. Mr.. McSnide, stout, beefy, tod
died toward him.
"My benefactor, | must thank you
again." he gurgled. "You gave your
' life for me- and / shall never forget.
| Grpntpr love hath"
Big Bill, measuring the distance to
llneal millmeter, landed on McSnide's
nose McSnlde screamed and fell.
The glnger-hared nurse came rush
! ing in with the house-surgeon. There
was fearful hemorrhage.
T "You great big brute said the
nurse. "He struck the poor man on
the nose. Send for the police, DIR.
0penham."
He's too valuable man," an
swered the house-surgcon Besides,
he'd lose blood In prison. There's only
a one thing to be DONE
E Big Bill uttered a yell. Have a
heart, Doc Not that big stiif--not
again. Doc"
Get them down to the operating
G theater,' said the house-surgeon. ITS
case for TRANSMISSION
A socia. Deprivation.
Doctor-No, you'll not be able to
leave the house for week at least.
/ ,Itn ~,