Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-07-13
TIM ASSISTING
BY JACK LAYTON


wickedness, while upon the beauti-
full sloping hillside We're 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 un-
usual hoy 4 discovery.
Doctor Wells had turred with a
kindly smile to the pathetically eager
face appraised to his.
Come and see me, Tim" ne i'm
pulsively invited I'D like to talk 10
you"
And Tim, scrubbed and mended, had
gone. That aeas but the beginning If
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 philosophers"
",rhe last book you gave me-" Tim
was saying is d very good hook, 1t
Is. And it's writ by the lady that
lives on the Hill. often I've watched
her 20 by, and thought what might
II be like TO write a whole book, 800
or more pages, an all of EN- writin'.
And, do you know, It's Just boys
books that she writes? And about how
everything. by an by, win depend on
us boys that's growing up, an what
wen be then. You got to begin with
the boys her book says"
Tim leaned forward thoughtfully.
I'm goin' up 10 her house, an ask
her TO begin with me now. | 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
appointed. She came, therefore, 70
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 unlInow-
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, us knocking at our door; We
must help Tim OH to his best, you and
T."
Gavin Bruce, city surgeon, was
surprised few days later to re-
celve a letter from his old college
friend, John Wells.
And if you viii take Jimmy" the
letter ended, Il am sure that h9i will
make himself useful enough, tafter
school hours, to pay for his keep lie
wants no money"
II Doctor Bruce had not that very
day been troubled with an impertinent
furnace man, Tlmmie's chance might
have been denied him. But he had not
been in the great-yet lonely-man'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 il
seemed the natural thing To do. But
II had been for years an empty place.
with only servants 10 give him well
| 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 a good husband"
Il 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.
81 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, Tim7" he asked But Tim
was gravely serious.
IT'S the sweet understanding ways
OF her. he said, IAN 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 he ar
ter lettln' me &c TO see me mother to-
morrow? III leave things alright in
the garage an be back TO fix the
furnace. No school Saturday. you
know
The doctor odded MS he went to-
ward the phone Replacing the re
ceiyer he turned TO the boy
THAT was our friend Wells" he
explained, urging me 10 drive out 10
Baytown tomorrow. to pay him a
visit Think III take the day or and
60 Like 70 ride home with me, Tim?'
II was too much TO expect, that
busy surgeon would drive at evening
down to Baytown Valley TO call FOR
small helper SO Tim asked that he
might be called for at the home Of the
writer lady This was central, and ii
was necessary 20 consult with her con
corning his nrOgress