Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-08-30
THE
BLACK
WALL


X rickety balcony that formed an
l. entrance to the apartment
which she occupied with her
Aunt Why. Underneath the balcony
flowed brook, somewhat low at that
season. There was nothing much to
see except the brook, and that van
ished suddenly behind the walls Of
garage.
Aunt Why was within, sleeping.
The heat of the torrid afternoon was
grateful to her, for she was old and
chilly, But Ellen could not endure to
breathe the air Of the small living
room, therefore she had sought the
balcony with her work-basket.
But she was not sewing. Instead,
she sat staring down into the brook
trying to master some of the many
difficulties that beset her. The great
est difficulty Of all was Aunt Why.
For Aunt Why could no longer be-
trusted to live alone as she had for
merly done while Ellen was away
teaching, and Ellen could not take
Aunt Why with her because the old
woman could not be persuaded to
leave the house where she had lived
all her life long. It was just ques-
ton of Ellen's giving up her work to
stay with Aunt Why, and how could
they liver All they had besides the
meager rent Of the lower apartment
must be earned By Ellen and at
distance from home.
She had come to the black wall at
last. There had been other walls,
gray walls. white walls, low walls
walls that she had somehow succeed
ed in scrambllng over, but always she
had known that some day she would
come to that most dreaded obstacle
Of all. the black wall which admitted
Of no foothold. And now here 1t was
staring her In the face.
She had a momentary impulse to
pitch herself Off the balcony into the
brook and so end her troubles for
ever. But that was cowardly and
mean. Besides what would become OF
poor Aunt Why? Trembling and
ashamed of her own weakness she
buried her face in her hands.
The sound of a distant shout made
her take her hands from her face. Up
the brook came sailing a Gotilla of
young ducks with a mischievous air
Of running away. And behind them
stumbling through the shadows came
a little boy of three and one-half.
The water was up to the top of his
blue-and-white socks, his hands were
clenched, his little face knotted with
perplexity. yet he was struggling de-
terminedly on over the slippery stones,
quite oblivlous of what he was doing
to his clothes.
"Why. it's Bobby Gregory" Ellen
exclaimed. She leaned over the rick
ETY. railing. "Bobbyl Bobbyl" she
cried. Look out Don't go any far
Their There's deep hole just ahead
of you"
The child looked up and waved his
hand toward the hotilla.
"My ducksl" he cried.
Ellen sprang up and ran down the
stairs with all the speed Of light feet
and slight. supple body. But before
she could reach the wall that guard
ed the brook the disaster had oc.
Cured. Bobby, slipping upon a stone,
had fallen head down into the deep
pool and was out OF sight.
Ellen sprang from the wall, fell,
felt hurt on one knee, and found
herself half way to her waist In wa.
ter. She CROPPED and found the child.
Sodden with water and struggling 1t
was all she could do to lift him. He
had swallowed water and was chok-
Ing.
She was bearing him to the wall
when she heard a shout and saw
man running along the wall. lie was
vigorous of frame, with a dark, grave
face, fine In every lIneament Leap
ing off the wall he caught the child
from Ellen. shook him upside down
and with slap or two restored him
more quickly than Ellen could have
done with any of the first aids she
knew. Seeing that the boy was all
right he laid him upon the grass
and turned to Ellen.
$50 you've been In the brook, tooP
he said, with faint CLEAN of smile.
II went after my ducks. daddy"
walled Bobby.
ayes And Miss Bogart went after
you-Just In the nick of time l should
Judge. Come. Miss Bogart. Let me
help you out"
He lifted her out, all ashamed as
she was at her deplorable condition.
II know what you did. l saw, but
couldn't get to you quick enough"
he said, looking into her eyes. "Pm
sorry II you've spoiled your Dress"
at will wash" Ellen replied.
"Thank you, Miss Bogart, for say.
ing my naughty son. Now, I will take
him home" He hoisted Bobby on his
shoulder.
II want my ducks" cried the child.
"The ducks will follow" Curtis
Gregory said. He smiled back at FL.
len as he went away.
Eileu CilnlDeu lHe blulTS 10 neT
room and removed her wet clothing
Her knee was already getting blue
and lame; she had hurt herself cruel
ly.
"Wby. can hardly walk" she
thought.
An hour later as she sat again on
the little back balcony she heard Der
name spoken and looking down saw
Curtis Gregory with Bobby. shining
and sound. on his shoulder.
"Bobby." said the man, has come
to thank you and tell you TINT he IL
sorry he put you to so much trouble.
DR.. r. ERNEYHOUGH,