“How is the child? I tried to save the little one from harm, but I fear I have not.”
A young man came up to where the people were huddled together, and seeing the stranger sitting on the sidewalk he said, “What is the matter here?”
“A little girl came near getting killed by a runaway horse, and this gentleman was badly hurt trying to save her,” answered one.
The young man came to him and extending his hand said, “Sir, please let me help you up. You can bear on my arm, and I will help you to a place where you can rest.”
The stranger was gazing earnestly at the young man, as he said, “Kind sir, pray what is your name? Do not think me impertinent; you resemble a person I know.”
“Paul Burton, of Pine Island,” modestly answered the young man.
“Pray, sir, what is your age?”
“Twenty-four my last birthday.”
“My son, my son, my babe I cruelly deserted years ago!”
Paul looked at the stranger critically as he said, “Is this my father who left me in my faithful old servant’s arms, and cruelly deserted my mother and left her broken hearted?”