The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-07-16
Soulful Fidelity Of
Sydney Blair
BY GEORGE ELMER CocB

All winter long Sydney Blair
lived in q g. by 10 room in poor
lodging house. '+"*
He was a poet at soul. As to his
effusions, only thrice In his life had
he received real pay from q real
publication.
Once year his soul swelled. It
was when, as now, he turned his
face from the turmoil, dust and hol-
low excitement Of the city.
Outside of a little bundle, usual
ly strung across his stout walking.
stick and containing a change Of
linen and blanket, Sydney Blair
had one other possession Of some
utility and value. This was q piano
tuning key. From the profession
of poet in winter our good friend
enacted broad transition to piano
tuner at summertide.
Once, at dusktide, Sydney, rest
Ing under great gnarled oak, was
aroused by a shrill echoing cry. He
ran toward the highway to observe
three rough-looking fellows dis
appearing in the dim distance. He
! stumbled over PROSTATE form. 1t
was that of an old man. There was
a cruel cash at one side Of his head.
A buttOnhole of his vest was torn
apart, showing where his watch
chain had been torn from place.
Evidently footpads had robbed this
victim.
Sydney ran to a brook near at
hand IN cNo1,nrl hnnd1yn r0ht0< In
water, and did all he could to re-
move the traces Of violence from
the insensible man. Finally the lat
ter sat up. He put his hand con.
fnsedly to his head. his eyes were
somehow glazed and unsteady 40
he surveyed Sydney.
"See here" spoke the latter, "wh0
are you and what has happened?"
The victim seemed to make a des-
perate effort to concentrate his
thoughts, failed and shook his head
blankly.
"H'm!" soliloquized Sydney. "a
bad blow. See here, old friend, I
must get you to doctor"
The victim placidly allowed Sgd
ney to lead him to nearby village.
There doctor looked him over,
plastered up the wound on his head
and questioned him as to his home.
ri don't know" was the monoto-
nous response.
with the morning the same cloud
Of haziness hung over the victim.
All that morning Sydney led him
about the vicinity. No one knew
him. He was an utter stranger to
the district.
"See here" said Sydney. "what
am I going to do with you1 What
do you want to dor
go with you" replied the old
man, simply. II like the sunlight,
the woods, the birds. feel rested,
I feel happy, only-I forget what
was"
IAN right, 1 make you my part
ner," said Sydney.
The old man grew quite blithe
and laxative during the next day
Of idle wandering. He was like q
pleased child. Some injury to his
brain, 1t was apparent, had blotted
out the past. Sydney observed that
he was an educated man, his attire
evidenced responsibility. There
was not q mark on his clothing
not q scrap of paper found to give
clue to his identity.
Every morning and evening, how
ever. the old man took from an In
ner pocket an exquisite little me
dallion. 1t held the portrait of
beautiful girl. He would gaze al
It raptly for nearly nj, hour. .Ant
then Sydney got to sharing biz
mute alterations
Like nomads those, two passes
along the fower-frfnged byways
Each day the old mar seemed Il
grow happier and more contentet
with the careless. joyous life.
One. evening. while seated In :,
little wayside inn, Sydney strucl
IN an acquaintance With physi
clan. He told the story Of the OIL
man. The doctor. became interest
ed. He examined the patient. y
..There is q Depression Of tn
SKULL. he said ''This mans mem
DRY can be restored BY surgca
Operations" fSsfs g
It would cost fifty dollars tn
doctor said, for he would have t
call in surgeon. Sydney made q
rangements Tor the housing OF n
friend In the village. Then q
started OF tuning pianos. 49,
It Wa a glad, proud day for hi
good, Kind heart when he returns
WITH the money to pay.for The %
: GRAFTON.