Smyrna times., 1868-08-19

looking gentleman, who had entered the room
a few minutes previously ly. He had come as he
said, to pay his respects to Mr. Allen, and say
how much he admired him for his determine
ton to quit the business.
Pm much obliged to you" replied John
Allen, extending his hand. "We always try
to treat our friends right. I've had good
many visitors lately I'm always glad to see
all them that come to spend their stamps. [
don care much to see any others The fact
is, he added, in an under tone to the writer,
L M bored to death by just such fellows
As we had not come to spend any stamps, :"
L suggested to the artist to take the hint and
leave. He remained, however, to witness the
examination Of the boy, little Chester, which
Was announced as the next feature in the enter
tainment This writer, having very little dis.
position for any further performances took his
leave. The rest Of the story is from the pen
of the artist.
''Want to see what the boy knows, do yer?"
said Allen to the group Of wonder, seekers
which had cOngregated in his Little outside bar
"CheSter, " come in here u he shouted to an
assster in juvenile gutter-game going on in
front of Empire Hall" The boy came at
once, but was somewhat retarded in his move
ment by disposition on the part Of his neither
garment to fall about his heels. Stretch
yourself, Sir ~ said Allen; and the boy quick
ly inverted himself and stood on his head with
bare toes clutching at the edge Of the top Of
the bar-counter.
up with yer!" shouted Allen again
"Want yer to talk and mind yer look the
gentleman there square in the eye, too! Speak
up Les hear yer! Who's the first man 2"
Adam, sir.
And " hats the first woman's name?"
eve, Sir. '"'
t. 20 IN {olIo,r Lo
through. Several questions in Natural Phio
sophy were answered promptly and in the
main correctly. History was the next subject
under consideration; in that study the child'
school report must be very perfect.
" Mr.. Allen" remarked reverned visitor
in voice tremblingy earnest, take care Of
that boy. Do not ruin his life as you have
thus far ruined your own. How old is he Mr.
Allen ?"
Allen deigned the gentleman no reply, bu
quietly asked: How old yer, Chester?" ''Sil
years old, Sir When. SIR m27th oI
nine o'clock in the morning, Sirr'
But, continued the clergyman, "does the
little boy know what he has been telling US
parrot, or does he comprehend what he ha
learnedY'
Give me that paper" quoth Allen to one
of the persons near him: yer know the bo.
never saw it. Take that paper, Chester
Want to hear what there is in it,
The child read with facility, and quite a
rapidly as most boys of ten or twelve years o
age, four or five paragraphs, containing word
that children are prone to believe were place.
in the spclling-bOok topromote discomfort an
deteri0rate their school-repOrts.
When our artist was about to leave he re
ceived cordial invitation from the proprieto
to call again. 1t is the usual invitation O
John Allen to his friends, and for the benef
of himself and his friends we give it as he ut
tered it. Come in tonight" said he; com
in tonight and see the dancing, and Jrtn
plenty Of stamps toih yoH."
Such is this man and his house; our accour
and illustrations are by no means exaggerated
the portrait of the man is a photograph, an
the picture of his character is drawn from litt
the house exterior and interiors; truthful
portrayed and what makes tn story still MOI
painful is the fact that it is the true story
numberless other men and places in this city
There are dozens of such places along tt
, wharves in the Fourth and other down-tow
wards, and life in that district is horrible b.
yond description Hurper's Weekly.