TRUE TO HIS PROMISE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue V, 29 January 1898, Page 134

TRUE TO HIS PROMISE.

An elderly country doctor was talking about his professional experiences, when something called to his mind a strange occurrence of many years before, one of those romantic events which, perhaps, are not so rare as most people would suppose in the lives of practising physicians. "One night," said the doctor, ‘1 received a call from a distant farmhouse. and upon answering it. found a lad of about 18 with a bullet wound in his shoulder. I dressed the wound, and then the lad, with much anxiety, observed: " “You won’t say anything about this, doctor?” """Why not. my lad?” I pitied him, for his eyes hail a hunted look, and he appeared half-famished and half-dead. " "Because I received this wound in escaping from the sheriff.” ‘ "You needn't tell me.” ‘"I must. I couldn’t get work. sir. and. not able to resist temptation. I stole. It was for the first time. 1 thought you might speak of dressing a wound, and then they would know where to find me. If you saynothing I may be able to leave the country. You have been kind to me. doctor. Do this and—" ■ "On one condition, my lad.” ‘"And that is?” ' "You will not steal again.” ■ "Would you believe me a—a thief?” ‘ "I will believe you.” • "I promise.”

’Many years afterwards I received a box of good things for Christmas. The next year another box came, and so for many years. The only clue I ever had to the sender was a few words in the first box: “I have kept the promise 1 made you. doctor.” ’