The White Crystals
ore him. Then he glanced at Mr. Anderson, cleared his throat wit
U
le anxious tone coming into his vo
uscles flabby, and his blood hasn't enough of the good red stuff in it. In short, he must live out of doors for a year or so, and then I'll guarantee he will come back with r
en, doctor?" fr
except a general poor c
c, or something? His mother and
," exclaimed Dr. Glasby. "Fresh air, fre
h he had listened to the beating of Roger's heart, the eye-testing mirrors and lights, and
ription is-?" be
d get out into the country. You'll have to see for yourself that it is put
ake, while his face wore a more relieved look than when he entere
d just heard. Moving now fast and now slow, according to the obstructions of trucks on the tracks, the car clanged on its way. Once it stopped short, suddenly, to allow a spark-emitting fire engine and a swaying truck with
o to the fire!" he c
will be anxious to hear what Dr. Glasby said, and we
he soon forgot that in wondering what would happen if he didn't have to go to school for a whole year. The su
brother Edward to build a castle out of blocks, Mr. Anderson told his wife the result of the visit to Dr. Glasby. She was much relieved when she learne
open nights, Roger could hear the rattle of the trains and the clatter and hum of the electric motor cars. In fact it was quite a noisy place, where Roger lived, but no one in the neighborhood seemed to mind it, or, if they did, they had grown so used to it that they never spoke of it.
oy, he had been rather closely applied to his books at night. As he was ambitious he threw himself into the vim of learning with an energy that was pleasing to his parents and teachers, though it had a bad effect on his health. For, after a few weeks of school, it was noticed that he was failing in energy. There were many days when, in spite of
year's schooling," said Mr. Anderson, a
t really ill and have to stop al
inutes, turning the ques
e ought to do. Where can we send him? Oh dear! I don't at all like the idea of his going away from us. I just know he
s, he can take pairs enough along to change whenever he gets in the water. Still I must confess I don't like to think of Roger being away from us, bu
," said Mrs. Anderson, and her husban
ear in the country. Now we can't afford to pay heavy expenses, yet I am determined
on thought
, at Cardiff. It will be the very thing for him, and when you ge
a minute, for that idea
eartily. "Yes, I'm sure it will. I'm glad you
his studies, which announcement, when he heard
., Cardiff, Onondaga County, N. Y." This man was Mrs. Anderson's farmer brother. On Monday, instead of going to school, Roger accompanied his father down town, where they did considerable shopping in the way of buying some clothing and underwear for the boy's outfit. Mr. Anderson also got
chool where his son was enrolled, to give n
, while Mr. Anderson was talking with Mr. Blake, the principal, Roger wa
news got around. "Say, Roger, you're a lucky ch
d rather stay
giving us!" called several
he small excitement he was creating among his companions. Still he did like his studies very much, for he was just beginnin
leaving school, agreed that it was best, under the circumstances. He hoped to see Roger back again, he said, much improved in health, and, with cheery good-byes from his companions, the boy walked out o
small army of boys, such a darning of stockings, and a mending of rents in coats and trousers, and such admonition and advice as his mother gave him, from never forgett
possibly be lonesome or homesick, after he had started away. Under the stimulus of preparation he even began to feel
he time, until then, seemed altogether too short, though, boylike, Roger thought the intervening days would never pass. His ticket had been purchased, his valise packed, and by Sunday night everything was in readiness. At church
ral Railroad at nine o'clock Monday night. The last arrangements had
" called little Edward, sleepily, a
embling a bit, in spite of his determination to b
t least the twentieth time. "Clean your teeth every day,
d. She hugged Roger closely to her, and gave him a kiss that he long remembered, and then, with a brok
m Cardiff, to which village he would go by wagon or stage. There was plenty of time before nine o'clock, but Mr. Anderson believed in being a little ahead of a train, instead of behind it. He
ade up, and the porter showed him to his place
ur mother. I know you will get along nicely, and I needn't say I know you'll do what's right, at all times, for I'm sure you will. Your Uncle Bert will meet you in Syracuse, when you