Troop One of the Labrador | Page 5

boys were vastly interested, and asked many questions, which
Doctor Joe answered with infinite patience, concerning the various
kinds of fish people bought in the shops, and how the fish were caught
and shipped to the shops to be sold fresh.
"And you'll stay now? You'll not be leavin' The Labrador again?" asked
Thomas, after supper.
"Aye," said Doctor Joe, "I've elected to be a Labradorman." Then,
turning to the boys, he suggested:
"Lads, there are a lot of things in that skiff of mine. I wish you'd bring
them in. Will you do it while your father and I visit?"
The boys were not only glad but eager to do it, for there were doubtless
many surprises for themselves in the skiff, and with one accord the
three hurried out.
"Years ago, Thomas," said Doctor Joe, when the boys were gone, "in
my days in New York, I invested a little money in a mining property.
Shortly after I made the investment it was said the ore had run out, and
I believed my money was lost. When I returned to New York this

summer I found that more ore had been found later, and the mine had
earned me a lot of money. I invested what was due to me in such a way
that it will bring me an income each year sufficient to provide me with
all I shall ever need."
"Oh, but that's fine now!" said Thomas.
"Thomas," Doctor Joe continued "I should not have been able to enjoy
this had it not been for your kindness to me years ago, when I came
first to The Labrador a man of broken health. If you had not offered me
your friendship then I should have died an invalid in poverty.
"I've thought of this a thousand times. I believe God sent me here. I
only knew then that I came because I sought a secluded spot on the
earth where I could find relief from turmoil. Now, I believe He guided
me to The Labrador and to The Jug to you. He had something for me to
do in the world, and this was His way of saving me.
"When Jamie needed me I was here, and because you had befriended
me I was prepared with God's help and with my skill and training to
restore Jamie's eyesight. There are others on the coast who need a
doctor's skill just as Jamie needed it, and they have no one to help them.
I have decided that I shall be doctor to the people. If I can help the folk,
as I am sure I can, I'll be happy in the knowledge that I'm making some
little return for the great deal that you have done for me."
"I were never doin' much for you, Doctor Joe--just what one man
would always do for another," Thomas protested. "But 'twill be a
blessin' to the folk of The Labrador to have you doctor un! We all need
doctors often enough when there's none to be had, and folks die for the
need of un."
"Yes, folks die here for the need of a doctor," Doctor Joe agreed, "and I
hope I may be the means of saving lives and giving relief."
The three boys broke in upon them with their arms full of packages.
"There's a lot more!" exclaimed Jamie depositing his load upon the

floor.
"Perhaps we had better help them, Thomas," suggested Doctor Joe,
rising.
"Oh, no, sir," Jamie protested. "Let us bring un up!"
And so said David and Andy also. They quickly had the contents of the
skiff transferred to the cabin, and the exciting process of opening the
packages began.
The first to be opened was for Margaret, and it contained many pretty
and useful things, including two neat, substantial warm dresses, finer
than any Margaret had ever before possessed or seen. Her eyes sparkled
as she held them up for inspection, and she exclaimed over and over
again:
"Oh, how wonderful pretty they is!"
For the boys there were innumerable gifts dear to boys' hearts,
including a compass and a watch for each. For Thomas there was a fine
pair of field-glasses, a compass and a very fine watch indeed, and he
was as pleased and happy as the others.
"The glasses'll be a wonderful help t' me in huntin'," he declared.
"When I climbs hills for a look around I can see deer that I'd sure to be
missin' with no glasses. I'm not doubtin' the compass'll come in handy
now and again in thick weather."
Then there was a big box of goodies. There were such candies as they
had never dreamed of--oranges and big red-cheeked apples. Even
Thomas had never before in his life tasted an orange or an apple,