The Washington times., 1929-02-11


perfect etiquette--I don't want to
be told whether every move make
and every word I speak is right
or wrong-and as for society, 1
fervently pray to kind Heaven to
deliver me from teas, receptions
and dinners. / want
There was a discreet tap at the
door. Freckles scowled.
Now it's time for me to do some
thing, suppose. Gosh. Chum, l
can't even have q little visit with
you in peace"
Another tap. and the door open
end.
Please sir, your bath is ready.
Her Ladyship is having dinner at
eight"
How surprisingi Well, / don't
want to take a bath, and don't
want to dress. and I don't want to
go to dinner at eight, and I don't
want to meet her Ladyship's
guests and / don't want to go
through a lot of beautiful social
gestures that don't mean darn
thing! Now what do you think of
that?r
Barlow was astounded.
do you really think should
do all this silly stuff, Barlow?"
Well. yes, sir. your social posi-.
ton demands
''Oh, bother my social position
/ tell you Barlow, it's an empty
life for a man with any red blood
in his Veins-no work-no purpose
in lifeno interest in anything
not getting anywhere. and know
ing that tomorrow and tomorrow
and tomorrow will be just like to-
day. After four years of studying,
should be good for something.
I've only got one hand, but ] bet
I could be of some use in the
world IL / were permitted a chance
to try"
Barlow looked so troubled that
Freckles relented a little.
I'm sorry, old man. 1t isn't your
fault guess, owe you an ex-
PLANTATION, so I'll tell you 4 little
story, briefly. sit down"
Barlow remained standing. "But,
sir
"Oh, for Heavens sake, let's
drop that formalitv for few
minutes, and talk like two men.
Sit down" Barlow sat down.
"A long time ago, over in
America in al state called Indiana.
was a nameless waf in an
orphan asylum: they kept me 16
years and then turned me out.
had no money or friends, and
no one would give me, work be.
cause Of my missing hand Then
one evening. when / was worn
out from tramping 20 miles,
soul-sick from hearing that ever
lasting refrain only one hand
weak from hunger. my clothes in
rags and my shoes In holes. I
came to al lumber camp"
Freckles paused and looked out
the window where the shadows
We're lengthening on the grass.
I'll never forget that night. A
huge, cracking campfire, CHEEKY
, voices, softly Deighing horses. the
rattle of dishes, odors from cook.
ing food, friendly sights and
sounds everyWhere---it seemed *
paradise to me S. The Boss of
the camp was giant OF Scots
man named James Ross Mclean.
with much OF the milk Of human
Kindness. in his heart. He gave
me a job guarding valuable trees
from timber thieves. and didn't
Talk about my having only one
nand-you can see why / think
McLean is the worlds finest man!
Then a woman we all knew as
The Bird Woman began coming
to the Swamp to take a series
Of picture Of the, nest and babies
OF a pair OF black vuItures nest.
ing there"
Freckles paused, and the ever
watchful Barlow saw a light IN
The bows eyes that had never
been there before. Then he
went on Were you ever in
love, Barlow?"
Yes, sir long ago"
Did you marry herr"
No sir, she--she died"
Freckles held out his hahd "I,d
IKE to shake hands with you. Bar.
low-Id like to be friends instead
Of master and servant" Barlow
wiped away a tear, and shook
hands. Freckles continued:
FheE Bird Woman brought with
her the loveliest bit OF girlhood
I've even seen-all blue sky and
sunshine, sparkling and radiant
only 16-and i loved her-at
once7I love her now- better than
anything on earth. Her name is
Dorothy Kingsley, but named
her the Swamp Angel, and the
name has clung to her. well.
timber thieves came: the Bird
Woman and the Angel saved nv
life once. Then the Angel got In