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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1939-01-26, Page 6PAGE SIX THE SEAFORTH NEWS THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1939 The Little Orphan CHAPTER XXXIV New York was a crowded •city, even then, but I never felt so 'lonely any- where outside a camp in the big woods. The last day of the first week came, hut no letter from hope. To make an end •of suspense I went that Saturday morning to the hone of the Fullers. The equation of my value had dwindled sadly that week. Now a small fraction would have stood for it—nay, even the square of it. Hope and Mrs. 'Fuller had goneto Saratoga, the butler told me. I came away with a sense of injury. I must try to he done with Hope—there was no help for it. I must go to work at something and cease to worry and lie awake of nights, But I had nothing to do hut read and walk and wait. No word had come •to me from the Trib- une—evidently it was not languishing for my aid. That day my tale was re- turned to me "'with thanks"—with nothing but thanks printed in black type on a slip of paper—cold, formal, prompt, ready-made "thanks. And I, myself, was in about the same fix rejected with thanks --politely, firmly, thankfully rejected, For a moment I felt like a man falling. I ,began to see there was no very clamorous 'demand for me in "the great emporium," as Mr. Greeley ca?led it. I began to see; or thought I did, why Hope had shied at my offer and was now shunning me. 1 went to the Tribune office. Mr, Greeley had gone to Washington; Mr. Ottarson was too busy to see me. I concluded that 1 would be willing to take a place on one of the lesser journals. I came home and sat clown to take stock. First, I counted any money. of which there were about fifty dollars left. As to my talents, there none left, Like the pies at Hills- borough tavern, if a man came late to dinner --they were all 'out. I had some 'fine clothes, but no more use for them than a goose for a peacock's feathers. I decided to take anything honorable as an occupation, even though it were not in one of the learn- ed professions. I began to answer ad- vertisements and apply at business offices for something to give me a living;. but with no success. I began to feel the :elfishness of sten. God pity the warm and tender heart of youth when it •begins to harden and grow chill, as mine did then; to, put away its cheery confidence forever; to make a new',+estimate of itself and others. Look out for that time, 0 ye good peoplel that have sons and daughters. I mast say ,for myself that I :had a mighty :courage and no snail capital of cheerfulness. I went to try my luck with the newspapers of .Philadelphia and there one of them kept me in sus- pense a week to no purpose, When I came back reduced in cash and cour- age Hope had sailed. There was a letter froht 'Uncle Eb telling ]]in' me when and by what steamer they were to leave. "She :will reach there a Friday," he wrote, "and would like to see you that evening at. Fullers." I had waited in Philadelphia, hop - Mg I might have some word, to give her a better thought of me, and, that night, after such a climax of ill luck, well✓I had need of prayer for a way- ward tongue. I sent :home a good ac- count of my prospects. I could not bring myself to report :failure or send for more money. I would sooner have gone to work in a scullery. Meanwhile my friends, at the chalet were enough to keep me in good cheer. There were '\Stilliam hlcClin•i- gan, a Scotchntan of a great gift of dignity and a nickname inseparably connected with his fame. He wrote leaders for a big weekly and was known as "Waxy" McClinigan to ho- nor a pale ear of wax that took the place of a member lost nobody could tell how. He •drank deeply at times, but never to the loss of his dignity or self possession. In his cups the nat- ural dignity df the man grew and ex- panded. One could tell the extent .of his indulgence by the degree of his dignity. Then his rnood .became at once didactic and •devotional. Indeed, I learned in good time of the rumor that he had lost his ear in an argu- ment about the Scriptures over at Ed- inburgh. I remember he carte an evening, soon after my arrival at the chalet, when dinner was late. His dignity was at the 'full. He sat awhile in grim silence, while a sense of injury grew in his bosom. "Mrs. •Opper," said he, in a grandi- ose manner and voice that trilled the r's, "in the fourth,chapter and ninth verse of Lamentations you will find these wards—" here lie raised his voice •a bit .and began to tap the palm of his left hand with the index finger Of his right, •conrtinaing: " 'They that Abe slain with the sword are better Atm theythat be slain with hunger, for these pine away stricken through want of the :fruits of the field.' 'Upon Mrs, honor as a gentleman, \ Ms, Op- per, I was never so 'hungry in all .sty life," The other boarder was a rather frail man with an easy cough and a ' confidential manner, He wrote the 'O'b'ituaries bf Distinguished 'Persons' tor one of the daily papers. Somebody had toil him once, this head resem- bled that of Washington. He had never 'forgotten it, as I have reason. to remember. His mind 'lived ever a- mong the dead. His tongue was pick- led in maxims; his heart sivag in the brine of recollection; his humor not less unconscious and familiar than that of an epitaph; his name was Lemuel Franklin Force. To the pub- lic of his native city she had introduced Webster one 'fourth of July—a peren- nial topic of his lighter moments. "I am here," I said. "Oddi" he muttered. "I know 'how it will be—I know how it has been before. Generally come to some place and a great fear seizes me. I slip, I fall—fall—fall, and then I wake." After a little silence I heard him snoring heavily. He was still leaning 'back in his chair. I walked on tiptoe to the door where the ,boy stood looking out. "Crazy?" I whispered. "Durno," said .he, smiling, I went to my room above and wrote my first tale, which was noth- ing more or less than some brief ac- count of what I had heard and .seen down at the little shop that evening. I nailed it next day to the .Knicker- bocker, with stamps for return if 'un- available. I fell an easy victim to the obituary editor' that first evening in the ,chalet. We had risen from the table and he came and held sue a moment lby the coat lapel. He released my collar, when he felt sure of rue, and began tapping my chest with his forefinger to drive home his point. I stood for poAk that He's YOUR BOY! AND, while we're still in a fanciful mood, let's suppose he has suddenly become seriously ill— Then, imagine yourself to be in financial difficulties —your income, never more than $900.00 a year, has ceased altogether because the factory has shut down temporarily. You think your little boy may be dying-thedoctor orders you to rush with him to the Hospital for Sick Children — you learn it's Pneumonia of the most serious type — that serums alone will cost over $400.00, to say nothing of the special graduate nursing and expert medical attention required, nor of the cost of hospitalization itself. Could you be turned away because of this? There is only one answer to this question. It has been the answer of the Hospital for Sick Children for 63 years— a youngster's real need for hospital care and medical attention is the only ticket of admission required. Race, creed or financial circumstances are not consid- ered. We know the people of Ontario want it that way. This Hospital has met every emergency which has developed during the 63 years of, its existence. It is famous throughout the civilized world for the success and efficiency of its medical and nursing staffs and for the low cost at which it is operated. And who pays for this humanitarian work? The doctors give their time absolutely free. The Ontario Government pays 60c per patient per day and the patient or the patient's municipality pays $1.75 on the same basis. That leaves over $1.00 per patient per day of bare cost for which we must appeal annually to humane and generous citizens. This Hospital does NOT share in the funds collected by the Federation for Community Service because patients are admitted from all over Ontario. This year, over $83,000.00 is needed. That means over ten thousand donations if they were to average $8.00 each—or over twenty thousand averaging $4.00. Certainly, a staggering total! So, please make your gift as large as you possibly can. If you cannot afford more—remember that even ,a dollar bill helps pay for the care of somebody's baby. Kindly mail your donation to the Appeal Secretary, 67 College Street, Toronto. We cannot afford to use any of our much-needed revenue for canvassers or other organized effort to collect money. Y° HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN 67 COLLEGE STREET, TORONTO quite an hour out of sheer politeness, By that time he had me .forced Id the wall—a God's mercy, for there I got some sense of relief in the legs. H'is. gestures, in imitation of the great Webster,' ,put my head in some peril. Meanwhile he continued drumming upon 'my. chest. I looked longingly at the empty chairs. I 'tried to out hint off with applause that should he ha u e and satisf tui but with no s y g success.1 looked and smiled, and conclusive noodled, and exclaimed, and heard nothing. I began to plan a• method' of escape. McClingan—'the, greatoancl goody t \Vag 1:1c li tga n --came out of his roomresentl ' and saw m plight. P ) Y P g "What is this? ;he asked, interrupt- ing, "a seerial stawry?" Getting no ,answer he called my name, and when Farce ;had paused he came near. 'In the .sixth chapter and 'fifth verse of Proverbs," said, he, "it is written: `Deliver thyself as.a roe from the hand of the hunter and as a bird 'front the hand of the fowler.' Deliver thyself, Brower," ' I did so, ducking under Force's arm and hastening to my chamber. "Ye have a brawiling, busy tongue, duan," I heard M'cClingan saying. "By the Lordl ye should know a •dull tongue is sharper' than a serpent's tooth," "'ou are a meddlesome :fellow," said Force. "If I were you," said McClingan, would go and. get for myself the long ear of an ass and empty my memory into it every day. Try it, man, Give it your 'confidence exclusively.' 'Believ'e Inc, my dear. Force, you would win golden opinions," "I•t would be better than addressing an ear of wax," said Force, hurriedly withdrawing to his own room. This answer made Il••CClingen angry. "Better an ear of wax than a brain of putty," he called after him. 'Bless- ed is he that 'hath no ears when a fool's tongue is busy," and then strode up an•d .clown the floor, mutter ing ominously. I came out of my room shortly, and then he motioned me aside. "Pull your own trigger first, man," Ise saki to me in a low tone. "When Ye see he's 'going to shoot pull your own trigger first. Go right cup t' him and tap him on the chest quickly and say, 'My dear Force, I have a glaw•- rions slavery to tell you,' and keep tapping him—his own trick, you know, and he can't complain. Now he has a weak chest, and when he 'begins to cough --man, you are saved." Our host, ,Opper, entered pre,.tntly,. and in removing the table cloth inadvertently carte :beteween us, :NIc- Clingan resented it promptly. "Mr. Opper," said he, leering at the poor man, "as a matter of personal dbligentent, will you cease to inter- rupt us3" "All right1 all right! :gentlemens," he replied, and, then, 'fearing that he had not quite squared -himself, turned back, at the 'kitchen -door, and added, "Oxcuse ane." McClingan looked at isiin with that leering superior smile of his, and gave him dust the slightest possible nod of his head, McClingan carte into my room -with me awhile then. He had been everywhere, it seamed to me, and knew everybody worth knowing. I was much interested hi his anecdotes of the great 'men of the time. ,Unlike the obituary editor his ear was quite as ready as his tongue, though 1 said little save now and then to answer a question that showed a kindly interest in Inc. I went with him to his room at last, where he besought ire to ,join him in drinking "confusion to the enemies of peace and order." On my refusing, he drank the toast alone, and shortly proposed "death to slavery." This was followed in :quick succession by death to the arch traitor;" "peace to the soul of John -Brown," I left him at midnight standing in the middle OT his room and singing "The Land o' the Leal" in a low tone savored with vast dignity. CHAPTER XXXV I was soon near out of stoney and at my wits enol, but my will was unconquered. In this plight I ran upon Fogarty, the polioensan who.had been the good angel of my one hope- ful day in journalism. Elis manner in- vited city confidence, ' "What luck?" said he. "Bad luck." I answered. ' Only ten dollars in my :pocket and nothing, to dol.„ ie swung his stick thou'ghtf'ully, • "If r was you,' said he, "1':d take anything honest. Uip'on me tarred, I'd ruttier pound rocks than toy idle." "So would I." • "Wul ye?"' said she with animation; as the took ,niy, measure front, head to 'foot. "I'll do anything that's' honest." "Alt ha!'' said he, flubbing 'his sandy chin whiskers. "Dont seem like ye'd• been used t' hard wurruk." 'But I can do it," I said. lid bolted at me sternly and :beck- oned with his head. PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr. E. A. McMaster, M.B., Gradu-„ ate of University of Toconts . J. D. Colquho•un, M.D., C.M. 'Grad- uate of 'Dalhousie University, Halifax. TheCi1m' ci is fully 'equipped` with complete and modern x-ray and other up-to-date diagnostic and thereuptie, equipment. Dr. Margaret K. Campbell, M.D.,: L.A.B.P., Specialist Diseases in iii Infants and "Children, w?11 be at the Clinic last Thursday in every month from' 3 to '6 p,m. Dr. F. J. R. Forster, Specialist in° Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at the Clinic the first Tuesday in every month from 4 to r6 p.m. Free well -baby clink will 'be held on the second and last Thursday in every month from 1 to '2 p.m. W. C. SPROAT, M.D., F.A.C.S. Surgery Phone 90-W. Office John St., Seaforth DR. H. HUGH ROSS, Physician. and Surgeon Late of London Hos- pital, London, England. Special at. tention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, Office and •residence- behind Dominion Bank. Office Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 104. DR. F. J. BURROWS, Office Main St., Seaforth, over Dominion Bank. Hours 2-5 and 7 to 8 p.m. and by ap- pointment. Residence, •Goderich St„ two doors west of United Church. Phone 46. DR. F. J. R. FORSTER— Eye Ear, Nose and Throat. Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto 1697. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat hospi- tals, London. At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third 'Wednesday in each month from 1.30 p.m. to '5 p.m. Auctioneer. t;:EO•RGE ELLIOTT, Licensed. \uctioaeer for the County of Huron. Xrrangements can be made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction eer for Perth and Huron Counties. Saks Solicited. Terms on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and rfil estate property. R. R. No. 4, Mitchell. Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office. WATSON & REID REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed atlowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE 1cKILLOp Mutual Fire Insurance Co HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea - forth; Vice President, William Knox, Londesboro; Secretary Treasurer, M A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F. McKercher, R.R.1, Dublin; John E. Pepper, R.R.1, Brucefield; E. R. G. Yarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wm, Yeo, Holmesville. DIRECTORS Alex. Broadfoot, Seaforth No. 3; James Sholdice, Walton; Wm. Knox, Londesboro; George Leonhardt, Bornholm No. h; Frank McGregor, -Clinton No. 5; James Connolly, God- erich; Alex McEwing, Blyth No. 1; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth No. 5; Wm. R. Archibald, Seaforth No. 4, Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post - offices. 'Conte along," said .he. He took ire to a gang. worlcing .in the street near 'by. "Boss McCormick,!" he shouted. A hearty voice answered, "Aye, aye, Counsellor," and blcCorm•ick conte out of the crowd, using this shovel for a staff. A happy' .daY t' yel" said Fogarty. Same t' Yause an' nanny o'th:int,' said MttGorniick. "Yell ' gf' •me ane if ye .do sue a favor," sant Fogarty. "An' what " said the other. "A job for this •lad. Wull ye, do it?" • "I will," said McCormiclf, ,and he d6d.