The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-01-19
Down at the
Settlement

BY DOROTHY WHITCoMB
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

by DONO n WnllSOMD -
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Cop, rig ht. 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
1T is needless to say that | am dis
ppointed-bitterly disappointed and
grieved.' spoke Almond Weare TO his
nephew, Walter Ridley, but there was
more of severity in his tones than true
pathos.
81 am sorry, uncle" was the earnest
response, "but l must follow my duty
as / see it."
"You see 1t through wrong glasses,
then" declared Mr.. Weare, stormily.
You are throwing away the chance
of lifetime Hester Beale Is ready to
fall into your arms-wealth. social
standing, family influence. l learn that
it is in the power of her uncle, as
the head of the great Timear Steel
company, to appoint you surgeon for
the plant. Think of that-all your
assistants to do your work, and roy
al salary!'
But | do not wish others to do
my work." explained Walter, quietly,
but with latent force back of 1t that
told. 81 wish to do some good In
the world. The people down at the
old settlement mills have no physi-
clan. | am going among them"
"To starve, to get down to their de
basing level, to be robbed and laughed
Mt for your mistaken philanthropy !"
snarled the old man, wrathfully.
And the girl, too-the daughter OF
that worthless old inventor, barley.
She's the attraction, | doubt not"
"Yes. uncle confessed young Rid
ley, frankly. Miss barley is, indeed
the attraction. l love her-I shall al
ways love her."
Trapped you, eh!' sneered the
uncle
Don't malign her. uncle" said Wal
ter. "Her fathers position was as
high and honorable as your own, be
fore the family with which you wish
me to ally myself robbed him of his
star invention. AS to Bertha, she has
become an angel of mercy among the
poor operatives She has cast her lot
among them, not only from necessity
but from choice. As to trapping me
Miss barley refused my offer of mar
riage, distinctly and irrevOcably, last
evening"
They parted with that, those tive
who had been SO companionable and
harmonious until the proud, stern will
of the selfish old tyro was opposed.
Two days later DR.. Walter Ridley
hung out his shingle at the settle
ment as a physician, in addition ac-
curing the barren honor of being chief
surgeon of the old mills.
Doctor Ridley came face to face
! with Miss barley one evening She
was passing along the street, her eyes
fixed upon the plain little sign in his
office window
you have come among us, as you
threatened" she spoke smilingly.
| "As longed for" corrected Walter.
st will be a blessed work." she
said
Young Doctor Ridley counted up
his small capital, calculated to dol
tice he could depend upon and set at
work on his mission of divine charity,
and usefulness. The needy and I'M
1 fortunate knew that they were well
come to free consultation, attendance
1 and even free medicine, and his Of
flee was soon overrun. 1t was, indeed,
blessed work!
| Then one day break in the routine
two thunderbolts, each devastating
/ and vital They came with a shock
to Walter. His uncle had practically
lost his entire fortune. A side issue
Of his great friends, the Beales, had
failed, carrying down an army of cred
uious investors.
Walter went to his uncle and sug-
gested what assistance and sympathy
he might proffer, but the sullen old
man rebuffed him. That very after
noon barefooted, wild-eyed girl
eushed into his office.
ooh, Doctor Ridleym she gasped
there's been an accident. Miss Oar
ley" and tainted away.
Walter was at the works as fast as
| h.s feet could carry him.
Bertha barley had been heroine.
She had sprang to falling shaft just
] IN time TO save half dozen from be-
ing crushed and injured She had
fought noble battle with the whirl-
ing monster of steel.
There were a dozen severe abra-
sions, and enc crushed finger, which
Walter attended to, ah, so tenderly
He called at the smaller quarters to
which his uncle had betaken himself
but was refused admission. He heard
that Mr.. Weare was severely i'll with
contagious disease, but he was no,
sent for.
Then Bertha was absent from home
for two weeks. Her father protested
ignorance of her whereabouts, but
one day Walter received telephone
call from his uncle.
He found Mr.. Weare recovering
from his illness, new, softer light in
his old eyes.
Walter" he spoke, Il should have
died but for the gentle minstrations
Of volunteer nurse, whose true iden
tity | did not know until an hour
since. | have changed my mind as
to the fleeing friends of this uncer
tain world. wish to realize upon
what little / have left. and make 8
new home with you down at the set
Element, where heart and home are
not mere hollow words
"And this nurse?" asked Walter.
She appeared as he spoke-Bertha
and In her beautiful eyes he saw s
new hght-the love glow of WON
an who had right now TO accept hi!
homage.
And two days later Walter Ride,