by Al Lacy
Dane felt a thrill of satisfaction run through him. Guess I diagnosed my first case correctly, he thought. Too bad I didn’t have the equipment or the capability to tend to him. Someday … Yes, someday.
Maude Harris drew up beside her husband. “Do you need my help, dear?”
“I don’t think so, honey. Thank you, but I can handle this one by myself.”
Maude ran her bespectacled eyes over Billy, noting the dried blood on his shirt. “Looks like this boy has lost quite a bit of blood.”
Billy put fingers to his nose again. “My nose isn’t bleeding anymore, though.”
“That’s good, dear,” she said, patting his arm.
“He has lost a lot of blood,” agreed Dr. Harris, “but this young man, here, did a good job of staying its flow.”
Maude smiled at him. “Good for you, son.”
Dane felt a warmth flow through his body. As he was turning toward the door, he noticed the Harrises’ daughter standing in the center of the parlor. Fear showed in her vacant eyes, her hands were trembling, and her mouth still hung open.
The doctor said in a low voice, “Honey, you’d better take Lawanda back to the sofa.”
Maude turned and took Lawanda’s hand. “Come, sweetie. Let’s sit down. These boys won’t hurt you, I promise.”
Lawanda gave her mother a blank stare, working her lips and making a low mumbling sound, then obediently followed with faltering steps as Maude took her by the hand and guided her back to the sofa.
Dr. Harris led the boys downstairs to his office, guided them into the examining room, and when he had lit three lanterns and placed them on small tables to give sufficient light for his task, he pointed to the table. “Lay him right here, Dane.”
Dane laid him down gently. “Here you go, Billy. Dr. Harris is going to make everything better.”
While the doctor was gathering materials at the medicine cabinet, Billy’s eyes showed fear. His small shoulders twitched with an involuntary shiver. In a tremulous whisper, he said to Dane, “It’s gonna hurt, isn’t it?”
“Maybe a little bit, Billy,” Dane said softly, “but you’re tough, aren’t you?”
Billy swallowed hard. “I try to be.”
“You’ll be fine,” said Russell, patting his hand.
There was nothing wrong with Dr. Harris’s hearing. With the necessary tools and supplies in his hands, he stepped up to the table and laid them on the cart next to it. “Don’t be afraid, Billy. I’ll do my best to make this as painless as possible.”
The little boy met the kindly doctor’s gaze and nodded.
Dr. Harris looked at Russell and Dane. “You boys can sit down over there on those chairs.”
“Yes, sir,” said Dane, moving toward the chairs. “C’mon, Russell.”
When the boys were seated, Dr. Harris went to work.
While the split lip was being sutured, Russell sat quietly, his eyes on the doctor and his patient.
Billy made no sound.
Dane let his gaze roam around the room. He studied the medicine cabinet, the other examining table, and the cart that sat next to it.
There was a counter by the medicine cabinet where a large pitcher of water sat next to a metal wash pan. There were towels on a rack, and a bottle of lye soap sat next to the wash pan.
With his eyes still roaming about the room, Dane’s attention was drawn to a picture frame on the wall closest to him that contained a Scripture verse printed on white paper. It read:
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.—Romans 6:23
Dane recalled hearing that verse somewhere one time, but could not think of where it was. His line of sight went to another wall where a similar frame had another Scripture verse. This one read:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.—John 3:3
As soon as Dane read this one, he saw another frame on a third wall. The inscription read:
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.—John 14:6
Dane licked his lips and read all three again, twice.
Chapter Five
Russell Mims was still keeping his eyes on the doctor and Billy Johnson while the stitching was being done on the little boy’s lip.
Dane Weston glanced at the doctor and his patient periodically, but his eyes kept going back to the picture frames and the Scripture verses that were printed on the white paper. He was pondering their messages.
He kept trying to think of where he had heard the verse that spoke of the wages of sin being death and the gift of God being eternal life.
He scratched at an ear. Was it that Christmas program at school that time when that famous preacher was in town preaching at that big church on Forty-seventh Street? Yeah, that was it. What was his name? Oh yes. Charles Spurgeon. He was from England and was preaching in churches in three of the boroughs and in New Jersey. Principal Bateman belonged to that church on Forty-seventh Street, and invited Mr. Spurgeon to come and speak at the school’s Christmas program. That was … let’s see … four years ago last Christmas.
Dane recalled how the preacher had explained the Christmas story better than he had ever heard. He talked about Jesus Christ being born into this world to save sinners and that if people died without opening their hearts to Him, they would reap the wages of sin—eternal death, which was the lake of fire. Mr. Spurgeon emphasized that the opposite of eternal death was eternal life, and that eternal life was only found in Jesus Christ.
He also recalled how that sermon stayed with him a long time. In time, it finally drifted from his mind, and he hadn’t thought of it since.
His eyes strayed to the picture frame on the far wall. The one which quoted Jesus as saying He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one could come to the Father but by Him. Dane thought of prayers he had heard people pray which began: “Our Father which art in heaven …”
He pondered that a moment. Since the Father is in heaven, Jesus was saying that no man could go to heaven but by Him. Hmm, he thought. That means there is only one way to heaven, and that is Jesus.
While these words were passing through his mind, he looked again at the framed message that intrigued him the most. Jesus said unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Dane’s brow furrowed. How could a person be born another time? And how would that make it possible for him to go to heaven?
Suddenly his attention was drawn to Dr. Harris. “Okay, boys, Billy’s all stitched up.”
Dane and Russell hurried to the examining table and looked down at their little friend.
“Did it hurt much, Billy?” asked Russell.
Billy did not try to speak He only shook his head. “Hmmp-mm.”
“I’m glad of that.”
“Me too,” said Dane.
The doctor smiled at Dane. “Russell called you his new friend. I don’t recall seeing you before in the alley.”
“Right, sir. I only showed up there this afternoon.”
“But you’re an orphan? I mean … you live on the streets?”
“As of today, sir. My parents and little sister and little brother were murdered by one of the street gangs a few days ago.”
The doctor’s face blanched. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Dane. So you have nowhere else to go but the streets?”
“That’s right. I have no other relatives. The owner of our apartment building let me stay in our flat until today. He needs to rent it out again.”
Dr. Harris nodded, compassion showing in his eyes. He looked down at Billy, then back at Dane. “You’re to be commended for your quick thinking. Billy’s going to be fine, thanks to you.
Dane’s features tinted. “I’m glad I was there in the alley so I could look after him.”
“You did a good job of getting the blood flow down to a minimum. Most boys your age wouldn’t know what to do.”
Dane took a short breath. “Well, Dr. Harris, let me explain something to you. My lifetime dream and goal is to someday be a doctor … a physician and a surgeon. My parents have bought me some medical books, and I’ve just about memorized all but the one they bought me on the very evening they were killed. The police found it and gave it to me. It’s a big one called The History of Medicine.”
“Oh yes. I saw it advertised in the newspaper a short while back. Looked like a good one.”
“It is. Goes all the way back to 200 B.C. and brings it right up to today.”
A serious look came into the doctor’s eyes. “Dane, I hope you’re able to realize this dream someday. In your situation, it isn’t going to be easy.”
“I know, sir, but I’m not giving up. I’m concerned that I won’t be able to attend school unless I have a guardian and live in the guardian’s home.”
“Yes, I know that law.”
“Somehow, I’m going to get my high school education, then my medical education, which I know is going to cost a great deal of money. The main thing now is to get a job. I tried to find a job today. I went into over twenty stores, asking for work, and got turned down every time. It was late afternoon when I began looking for a colony of children to join in an alley. After being turned away by two groups, I was walking down Broadway and heard a girl screaming in an alley. I ran into the alley and found two teenage boys beating up on Billy. The girl was screaming for them to stop. They didn’t. So I—”
“He plowed into them with both fists flying, Doctor,” cut in Russell. “You should have been there to see him handle those bullies! He bloodied their noses and they took off running!”
Harris smiled at Dane, who was obviously embarrassed by Russell’s praises.
Dane hunched his shoulders. “I only did what had to be done.”
“Well, you did right, son. Now back to your situation. You’re right about looking for a job. Right now, that has to be your first priority. I want to compliment you for the goal you have set for yourself. There’s an old saying, and it’s true. ‘Where there’s a will there’s a way.’”
Hearing those words come from the doctor brought a melancholy smile to Dane’s lips. “My mother used to quote that same saying often, Dr. Harris. And I’m trying my best to hang on to it and live by it. Today was discouraging job-wise, but I did find a home of sorts, and some new friends. Tomorrow’s another day. I’ll be out there bright and early, looking for a job. I need to find a good one and stay with it for the sake of food and other needs I’ll have until the solution for my education presents itself.”
“I appreciate your attitude. You stick with it. You did a good job taking care of Billy. I really believe you have the heart and mind for being a doctor. You’re going to make a good one.”
“Thank you for the encouragement, Doctor.”
Harris smiled. “You’re going to get some more valuable experience. I need you to take care of Billy’s lip during this next week.”
“I’ll be glad to do it, sir.”
The doctor turned and went to the medicine cabinet. He opened a glass door and took out a small jar of ointment. Moving back to the examining table where Billy lay, he handed the jar to Dane. “Wash the cut with clean water every morning, then apply the ointment. He has enough on the cut now to last till morning.”
Dane nodded as he noted the shiny substance on Billy’s lip.
“Another thing, Dane.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Billy won’t be able to eat solid food until I take the stitches out. Chewing will cause him pain. He will have to have liquids only. That means broth for breakfast and soup for his other meals.”
“I’ll explain this to the others in the colony, Doctor,” said Russell. “We get food quite often at the café near our alley. They give us what they have left over at the end of the day. Sometimes they don’t have any, and other times it isn’t very much, but we’ll explain this to the people at the café and I’m sure they’ll see that Billy has broth and soup to eat. We may have to pay for it sometimes out of the money we bring in by begging on the street, but one way or another, we’ll see that Billy gets his broth and soup.”
“Good. Also, this boy needs to drink a lot of water.” The doctor looked down at his patient. “Do you hear me, Billy? Lots of water. I know it will hurt some to put a cup to your mouth, but it’s important that you drink plenty of water. It will ward off infection. Understand?”
Billy met his gaze and nodded.
“Good. And try not to touch your lip with your hands. Any germs that might be on them could get into the cut and that would be bad. Okay?”
Billy nodded again.
“I’ll do my best to take care of him, Dr. Harris,” said Dane, “even though I’ll have to be away from the alley to look for a job.”
“The girls and I will take care of him when you’re not there, Dane,” said Russell.
Dane smiled at him.
“I’ll come to the alley next Saturday to check on Billy’s lip and make sure it is healing all right,” said the doctor.
“We’ll be looking for you, Doctor,” said Dane. He reached into his pocket and took out the two silver dollars that Thomas Milford had given him and extended them to Dr. Harris. “Will this cover your bill for taking care of Billy?”
Harris shook his head. “There is no charge, Dane. I take care of the street children for free.”
“But Bessie Evans told me you help lots of poor families who can’t pay you, sir. Bessie is the girl who was screaming when I drew near the alley. She said you don’t make a lot of money and even though many people can’t pay you, you help them anyhow. I want you to take this money.”
Dr. Harris shook his head. “No, Dane. I can’t take money for caring for the alley children. Besides, I have a feeling that’s all the money you have in the world. Right?”
Dane’s eyes dropped to the ground, then he raised them and met the doctor’s gaze. “Yes, sir. But I—”
“You keep it, son. Use it to buy food for yourself and your friends there in the alley.”
Dane dropped the coins back in his pocket. “All right, sir. Thank you.” Then he looked down at Billy. “Well, little buddy, are you ready to go?”
Billy nodded. “Mm-hmm.”
As Dane was picking the boy up off the table, Dr. Harris said, “I’ll see you next Saturday, Billy. And remember—drink lots of water.”
Billy nodded as Dane cradled him in his arms.
Dr. Harris led them to the front door of the office and opened it. “Good night, boys. May the Lord keep His hand on you.”
Dane and Russell thanked him once again for taking care of their little friend and headed down the dimly lit street.
As they walked toward the alley, Dane looked at Russell. “How old are you?”
“Fourteen.”
“That’s what I figured. Do you mind telling me how you became an orphan?”
“Of course not. My parents both died of illnesses in 1862. Papa died of pneumonia in February, and Mama died of diphtheria in March. I was four at the time. I turned five in April. My grandmother Mims lived just a few blocks from us and took care of my parents when they became sick, and of course, took care of me, too. After Papa and Mama died, Grandma took me into her apartment. I lived with her until I was eight, then she died. It was then that I had no choice but to live on the streets.”
“So you’ve been a street waif for six years.”
“Yeah. Seems like sixty years.”
“I can imagine.”
The moon was up and spraying the city with its silvery light as the boys entered the alley to find the group of seven children sitting on the ground, leaning against the rear wall of the store. They all jumped to their feet and ran to meet Dane, Billy, and Russell.
Between Dane and Russell, they learned about Dr. Lee Harris’s treatment of Billy’s cut lip and were glad to hear that with proper care, the cut would heal up in time and Billy would be all right.
>
Bessie spoke up. “Billy, are you hungry?”
The little boy nodded from Dane’s arms. “Uh-huh.”
“Well, I went to the café and got you some soup. I figured it would hurt you to chew food.”
Dane chuckled. “That’s exactly what Dr. Harris told us, Bessie. He said we’d have to see that Billy gets broth for breakfast and soup for his other meals until he takes the stitches out. He’s also supposed to drink lots and lots of water.”
“Well, water we have plenty of. The people at the café are good to give us food they have left over and would have to throw out, but to get broth and soup from them each day, we’ll probably have to pay them. In our begging today, we took in a dollar and five cents. If we have to buy some broth and soup tomorrow, we’ll have to pay for it out of that. It won’t leave much for the rest of us, but we’ll get by.”
Dane took the two silver dollars out of his pocket and handed them to Bessie. “Put these two dollars with it. One of the store owners I asked for a job today gave them to me.”
Bessie’s eyes widened as did those of the rest of the group. “Wow! This will really help, Dane. Thank you.” Then Bessie said, “We saved some supper for both of you, too. While you’re eating, I’ll feed Billy his soup.”
When Dane and Russell sat down, Dane was grateful to eat from the meager portions of leftover spaghetti that were on the tin plates. He ate slowly, making the portion last as long as possible.
While they ate, Russell told the rest of the group that he found out while they were at Dr. Harris’s office that Dane was planning to be a doctor someday. He added that he thought Dane would make a good doctor, and they all agreed.
Finishing up with a long drink of water from a tin cup, Dane said to the others, “Thank you for sharing this food with me.” He yawned and covered his mouth. “Mmm. Excuse me. It must be bedtime. It’s been a long day.”
Everyone agreed, and began preparing to go to bed in their cardboard boxes, which Russell explained to Dane, had come from a furniture store at the other end of the block. Each child had a couple of tattered blankets to cover them. Dane was given two such blankets by Bessie, and the boys led Dane to his cardboard box. Dane slid his box up next to Billy’s box. “Billy, if you need me anytime during the night, wake me up, okay?”
