HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1935-02-21, Page 6THURSDAY, FEBRUARY $i, J 035 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVpCATR
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CHAPTER IX
“It's all right, vid man,” he
soothed. “Tell me where it hurts.”
Sensing a symputhie listener, the
child caught his breath as he snug
gled wearily up to his protector.
"I'm Buddy." he choked, by way
of introduction.
"That’s great-—we’re both bud
dies," encouraged Maury. "Suppose
you try and tell me the rest. Hold
on’." as a moist face and a still
moistnr m t-e sought relief against a
blue serge shoulder. "Use this, if
you don’t mind.” He produced his
handkerchief hastily. ”1’11 help you,
Big one now—that’s it. Now. let’s
(Start all over again.”
Followed an incoherent report,
confiding "Daddy isn’t get up—Ma
ma—Betty—in the big bed—doctor
gone away— tired—”
"All of which would seem to in
dicate that you’re the only member
of the family up and around,” Maury
mused, after skillful questioning
had failed to elicit a coherent state
ment. “I suppose it’s fairly serious
or they wouldn’t have turned you
adrift with a Message to Garcia like
this. What to do?—Eight minutes to
train time, too.”
If he knew the child’s name and
address, it would be rather a simple
matter to telephone Myra and tell
her to ask the doctor to make a call
as soon as possible. ’Serenity—but
she might not be back for hours.
Doctors were an uncertain quantity
these days. Hardly a fair deal to
this wearly little cherub to go off
and leave him in the lurch. He had
done his best—
“All right, Big Boy,” he decided,,
after one more hasty glance at his
■watch and the bag he had deserted
across the street. "Guess it’s up to j
us t.o pinch hit this game. Maybe it’s
our big chance to contribute to the:
cause? What do you think?”
"Tired."
“I recall your saying something
ab'out that. Well’ that’s easy. Up
you go! It's to be hoped you know
the way home.”
He retrieved his baggage and
walked swiftly down the (street
carrying the child on one arm and
-all unmindful of the curious stares
directed at him from several passers
by.
A few moments later, he deposited
his charge on the doorstep ’of a shab
by little cottage near the railroad
tracks and rapped gently on the
closed door.
’There was no response.
After a -second unsuccessful sum
mons, he took Buddy’s insistent ad
vice and turned the knob. A low
whistle of amazement broke from his
lips as he took a quick glance about
the disordered room revealed thro’
the half-opened door.
The first thing that met his eye
was -the figure of a man stretched at
full length on a carpet-covered sofa.
Sunlight beating pitilessly through
an uncurtained window fell on the
closed eyes and flushed face of the
sleeper whose labored breathing was
plainly audible. Maury stepped for
ward. swinging the door shut behind
him. His first move was to drag
the sofa cut of the range cf the sun’s
rays, then he shook the man’s shoul
der gently.
There was no response save a
slight groan and an uneasy shifting
on the comfortless couch.
"Johnson—Pete!” called Maury
sharply.- He recognized the sufferer
as one of the railroad’s track walk
ers. "This is Parrish talking to you.”
He picked up one of the man’s hands
and scowled at the feeling of the
hot, dry flesh.
“You’re one sick guy, Pete, if any
body—” He raised his head and lis
tened suddenly. A low moaning
sound struck his ear. Glancing quick
ly about, he noticed Buddy had dis
appeared, also that, this new distress
signal was apparently coming from
an adjoining room. Tiptoeing across
■the floor, he peered in through the
partly-open doer.
“Good Lord!” he ejaculated help
lessly.
Directly in front of him was a bed.
On one of its soiled pillows was the
face of a woman—dark eyes istaring
up at him through a tangle of black
locks. On the other pillow a sec
ond face—a girl of seven or eight,
Maury guessed. Both had the same
flushed cheeks as the sleeper in the
front r',om, the same curiously la
bored breathing.
As Maury stared at the woman in
bewildered perplexity, he felt a
sudden tug at his coat and looked
down into the uplifted face of Bud
dy.
"Eats.”
Mustering a smile of encourage
ment for the eyes that watched him
listlessly from the disordered bed,
the young man allowed himself to
be led out into what aparently was
the third and final room of the little
house. It proved to be a kitchen,
littered with used dishes and filled
with the droning of flies. For the
first time, Maury was aware of the
odor of sickness that pervaded the
place and a wave of nausea seized
him. Resolutely he shock it off, and
divested himself of his coat, hanging
it on a convenient nail.
"We’ve got to work fast,” he ex
plained ta the small bey wlio was re
garding him with trustful eyes. “If
there’s anything left around here
we’ll stoke you first. If you pass out
.on me, it’s going to be just to bad.”
Hasty isearch through a cupboard
revealed the remnant of a loaf of
bread. There was also a trifle of
doubtful butter, wilting in the heat.
Cutting two reasonably-soft slices of
bread, Maury spread then thin-
y with butter. 'Then he sprinkled
them very generously with sugar
from a partly-filled glass jar among
the shelves’ sparse (supplies.
“Now then, Buddy,” he remarked ’
seriously to his companion who was
watching the preparations eagerly,
“you start this pair of twins down
the red lane while I pump a bucket
of fresh water. You’ve got to go
back ever the top in a few minutes
for help. Get busy, pal!”
While the child was munching his
bread and sugar, washing Jt down
witiflusty gulps of water from a tin
cup, his new friend rummaged an
envelope and pencil from his coat
and scribbled a brief appeal to his
father.
“Devil and all to pay down here
at Pete Johnson’s. You know the
place, Williow and the railroad.
■Waiting fcr you. Please drop by at
cnce or sooner. M.”
In the meatime, the refreshments
had disappeared to the last crumb j
and the small banqueter was, sug-;
getting, “More bread.” I
“Just a small shot,” grudged
Maury. “We’re running short on time and this is going to be up to you for!
a spell. Listen very carefully. How
eld are you?”
"Six,” Buddy emphasized that with
a proud nod, licking the sugar from
his lips,
"You don’t lock it or talk like it.
I hope you’re not fooling me. Now
then—get this. Do you know where
Dr. Parrish lives? Big house—lots of
tree-s? Think hard.”
"I know.”
"Great. You’re a different man
when you’re fed. I wish I had a
thick steak to give you. Can you go
from here to Dr. Parrish’s house
and run most of the way?”
“Uh-liuh!”
"That’s what you’ve got to do
right away. He’s my daddy. If you
give him this note I have here, he
will come back with you and give
medicine to your daddy.” He looked
at his watch. “You” have to hurry,
or you will miss him. If you can’t
find him—well, give that paper to
anybody at all. Anybody. We’ve got
U; get a doctor here pronto—-And I
got to be doing something in the
meantime.”
As he spoke, he tucked the folded
paper into one.of Buddy’s diminutive
pockets. "Don’t lose it now,” he
cautioned, starting the messenger
in the direction of the door. “Lord,
it’s a long chance—” he murmured
doubtfully. Squaring his shoulders,
he made a second trip to the pump
where he refilled the bucket and a
large china pitcher he had discover
ed in the meantime. Then he enter
ed the cottage to see what relief he
might bring to its stricken inhabi
tants.
His first feeling was one of utter
helplessness and of diffidence, as far
as the occupants of the bedroom
were concerned. Mrs. Johnson seem
ed to be the only one awake and he
decided To offer her a drink of wa
ter, cursing himself impatiently for
not knowing whether it would hurt
or help her. A doctor’s son—-and
he didn’t know any more about dek
.people than Buddy.
To his relief, the woman took his
offer with apparent thankfulness but
Is Your Health Run Down?
Are You Nervous and Restless?
The present generation of women and young girls
have more than their share of sickness and misery.
With some of them it is nervousness and rest
lessness, with others anaemia, weakness,, faintness
and dizziness, hysteria and melancholia, and a
dozen other ailments to unfit them for work or
pleasure.
Let thoso women suffering from a run down state
Of health take a course of Milburn’s H. & N. Bills
and see how soon they will bo brought back to
normal health and strength.
Ask yout druggist or dealer about Milburn’s
H, & N. Pills,
imbibed only a small quantity of the I liquid. .She seemed to have diffi
culty in swallowing, But she thanked
him eloquently with her eyes, with
out trying to answer his brief ques
tioning as to how she felt. He re
ceived the impression that she
scarcely knew, and that she cared
even less.
The husband was lying as Maury
had left him.
"I think I’ll find a rag and pan
and wash your face for you,” mused
the nurse after a moment’s deep
thought.” It ought to make you feel
a bit more comfortable and it can’t
possibly hurt you. By that time,
maybe, Dad will have rallied around.
He performed the operation very
■slowly and gently. Then, for good
measure, he wrung out the cloth in
fresh water and folded it across
Pete's forehead. He had straight
ened up to examine his case with a
slight feeling -of satisfaction, wiping
hs hands on the handkerchief, when
the front door opened behind him
and Buddy trotted in.
"Here’s doctor,” he announced
proudly.
"Good boy! I—”
The handkerchief fluttered limply
to the floor as Maury found himself
staring stupidly into the blue eyes of
Serenity Dale.
“I got your message,” she told him
wonderingly, her gaze turning now
on the sofa’s occupant. “But I did
n’t have the slightest idea who had
written it.”
“You got the note! Why, I sent it
to Dad—or I .thought I did. Buddy
here—”
"I see. I happened to be getting
out of my car at the office when he
came along. He gave me the note
and I huiried down to see what was
the matter.”
"And I’m tickled sick to see you!”
“It’s high time someody came,”
she assured him seriously, starting
to take off her gloves.
“I’ll give you a hand and then you
can send for your father. Shall I?
“Gee, if you only would!”
“Of course I will. You’ve got a
pretty sick man there. How did you
happen to get in on the case?” Maury
saw her give a curious glance in the
direction of his travelling bag that
stood near the door.
“Just happened to be going by,”
he explained carelessly. “Buddy gave
me an S.O.S. But you haven’t seen
anything yet—a.t least not more than
one third. Go look in that other
room.”
When Serenity returned from the
suggested inspection her small red
month was set in a firm line. There
was an incisiveness in her tone that
made the man listen with sudden re
spect. '
“Yen have found a serious situation
liere,” she began. “A few hours ago
it would have been different, but now
somebody’s got to work fast. You
probably know this epidemic is right
at its height. I’m hoping the worst
is over, for* the State Beard of Health
is going to take a hand—they 'think
they’ve found the cause of the in
fection. Presently, we’ll have some
outside help. Right now—“she broke
Off suddenly.
“What were you going >to say?”
"I had forgotten—these are your
father’s patients, I suppose.”
“I don’t think so. Not more
■than anybody else who needs a doc
tor—and they sure do. I’d say they
were fair game for y'our bow and
spear.”
“Don’t jest, please,” she returned
quietly. “This isn’t the time. Whai
I was about to say is that people
here arc thoroughly alarmed now.
It’s going to be difficult to find
anyone to nurse 'this family. I’ll try
and get help from the city, if you
like, but it may be too late when it
gets here. The next twenty-four
hours is going to tell this one story.”
“Well—I’m lie-re.”
“Do you mean that’?” she demand
ed. looking him squarely in the eyes.
“I rather think I do. I don’t know
the first thing about looking after
sick .folks. But I can hew wood and
draw water, you know. If you’d tell
me w.hat you .want done—coach mo
a bit—”
“I could. But—but only one of
your patients is a. man.”
“So I notice. But—are women i-o
very different, in a case like this?”
It was the doctor's turn to flush,
a little under the quizzical regard
he turned on her with the last words.
“We’re all pretty much .alike in a
case of this sort,” she 'admitted. ’But
you have your father to consider in
addition to your own safety. There
is danger of contagion, you know.
Wouldn’t you .rather I get word to
your father? I can.”
• “No.” he returned shortly, “I
wouldn’t. There’s no use -of adding
to his troubles. He’s on his last legs
today as it is. Besides, .he fancies
I’m out of -town and he’d probably
have a fit if .he knew.”
“Out of town? Where wore you
going?”
“To the city for a little time.’”
"Excuse mo—I didn’t mean to ask
that,”
“Oh, it’s all right,” ho assured
her bitterly. "You'd have heard. I
was running away from ajl this—
playing the quitter. There’s only
one defense I can offer. I was do
ing it to please the old gentleman.
And I don’t expect you to believe
that.”
“But I do. I understand how he
feek—there is danger here for
everybody. I don’t think I shall let
you remain.”
"All right, try and stop me,” he
grinned. "It will only mess things
up worse than they are.I’ll stick
around here and do what I can until
you can find isomebedy better. Then
I’ll toddle on my way,”
Serenity studied him with sober
eyes.
"It all seems rather—impossible.”
Then her chin lifted. "Why should
we strain at conventions!” she burst
out. "There are three lives at ^take
here. That’s all that should count
now. If you’ll take the risk and
help—I’ll work with you.”
“Then it’s all settled.”
“It’s going t'o be—-terribly dis
tasteful.” she warned. "But you'll
see gratitude such as you’ve never
dreamed of. I hope you will. That
will be your reward.”
"Nothing else?” he dared.
"We’ll talk of rewards when—
they’re earned,” she observed, turn
ing away. "We must work hard and
fust now. I'll get you started, then
I’ll go for a few things we need.
Take that man’s clothes off and try
and make him more comfortable.
I’ll start in the otliei’ room.”
"Very good, (Skipper Dale.”
He saluted stiffly.
That same evening a long-distance
caught .Serenity during a brief stop
at the office to replenish her medi
cine case. I’ve been trying to1 get
you all day, Doctor,” was the local
operator’s plaintive greeting. “No
body answered.”
“I dare say,” explained the physi
cian wearily. “Who wants me?”
“A Mr, Hammond calling. Just a
moment—lie’s on the line n'ow.
There’s your party—Go ahead.”
"Hello! Hello!” came (Sydney's ex
cited voice. “I say—is that you,
Serenity?”
“Yes, Syd. What is it?”
“What is it? What isn’t! I ran
afuol of old McDonald at the club
last night. Your uncle—sure. He
told me about all the pestilence and
whatnot down there. 'I don’t think
he was spoofing me, either—says the
yokels are falling around you most
unpleasantly, passing out in the,
streets and all that sort of thing.
Right?”
“Not that bad, Syd,” she replied,
smiling in spite of herself. "It is
L-crious, though.”
“I’ll say it’s jolly serious! I’ll be
ddwn in the morning bright and
early. Hear?”
“Coming to Penny .Mill, you mean?
What for? I haven’t time to enter
tain you.”
"What for? I’m coming to get
you, of course! You’re sure to catch
something, poking around in these
■smelly hovels. It isn’t worth it.
You’re coming back here where it’s
safe with me. If you insist on g'o-
ing back again—why we’ll talk it
over. I’d start now, but my bus is
in the shop—engine trouble. They
are going
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PRESTON ONT. factows auw Montreal t,Toronto
GREENWAY
(Too late for last week.)
Miss Vera Isaac, of London, spent
the week-end with her parents Mr.
and Mrs. T. Isaac.
Mrs. Kennedy, of Bad Axe, Mich.,
is a guest with her sister Mrs. Al
bert Pollock.
Congratulations to Mr, 'and Mrs.
Arthur Brophey on the birth of a
s'on last Friday.
The members of the caste for the
play the Y. P. S. is putting on Feb.
28th practised at the home of Mr.
and (Mrs. Goodhand on Tuesday ev
ening.
Earl Gardiner was on the sick
list last week but is able to be out
■again.
At the W. M. S. meeting last Wed
nesday afternoon the president, Miss
Goodhand presided and the program
was in charge of Miss Laura Leask
and Mrs. Frank Steeper. Monthly
envelopes were distributed And a
donation from Mrs. (Rev.) S. J.
Mathers was received. Mrs. J. Brown
presided at the W. A. and Mrs. Law
rence Pollock who was appointed se
cretary acted in that capacity. Plans
were made for the Oyster Supper on
Friday, February 15th.
Several of our community have
i been victims of the Flu.
i Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Taylor
of Grand Bend were guests of Mr.
and Mrs. J. Ho-tson on Sunday.
Obedience was the theme of the
citizenships’ worship service conduct
ed by Miss M. McGregor at the Y.
People’s meeting held last Thursday
evening at the home of Mrs. J.
Sharpe. It consisted of the hymn
"Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”
The Lord’s Prayer the ten command
ments read by MiSis Dox'othy Belling,
vocal duet by the Misses Brown and
Kleinstiver; a poem “A Land of Be
ginning A-gain” and the hymn
“Breathe on Me Breath of God” Rev.
Mcore gave an interesting outline of
current events. Miiss Erma Goodhand
favored with a piano instrumental;
Mr. Ross Brown gave the topic ‘How
Jesus Would Regard Money.” The
roll call was answered by naming an
European country and’ite capital. It
was decided to present -the young
people’s play on February 28th. The
‘Rise Up, Oh
good night song. A
to work on it all night. I f meeting closed with
(Continued next week.)
I Men of God” and
j sing song followed.
Boy Scouts’ Campaign
League of Nations. " they say I've got no army; but why should I want one with
these allies?"
I By courtesy of Punch,
His Excellency, tho Governor-
Gonerul of Canada challeng
ed Canadian Boy Scout leaders to
celebrate tho coming visit to
Canada this spring of the World
Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell,
by initiating a drive to increase
the ranks of Canadian Scouts
from 65,000 to 100,000, thus ex
tending the benefits of Scouting
to hundreds of Canadian' com
munities now without an organ
ized programme of any kind for
their boys. Tho Scout movement as a whole accepted tho chal
lenge, blit expansion demands
more trained loaders and more
field work. To ensure tho sue-,
cess of the enterprise and fin
ance tho Scout movement in Can
ada for the next five years, a
Campaign to raise $500,000 was
inaugurated with a nation-wide
appeal on February 18th by E. W.
Beatty, K.C., LL.D., Chairman and
President of the Canadian Pacific
Railway, who is also President of
the Boy Scouts Association in
Canada,This Campaign has tho hearty
support of ovory thinking Cana
dian citizen.
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OF WOODSTOCK
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