The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1868-12-26
Our Little News BOY.
By LOUISA ALcOTT.

Hurrying to catch certain car, at a I
certain corner, late one stormy night, Il |
was suddenly arrested By the sight OF la |
queer-looking bundle in il door way. |
Bless my heart, it's child Oh Johh. |
m afraid he's frozenn | exclaimed to !
my brother, as we both bent over the |
bundle. |
Such little fellow as he was, in the |
big, ragged coat, such tired, baby face,
under the fuzzy cap; such purple little |
hand still holding fast few papers; such
pathetic sight, altogether was the boy,
lying on the stone step, with the snow
drifting over him-that it was impossible
to go by.
He is asleep, but he'll freeze, if left
50 long. Here, wake up, my boy; and
go home as fast as you can cried John,
voice; for the memory Of dear little lad,
fatherly kind to the small vagabond
The moment that he was touched, the
boy tuinbled up, and before he was half
awake, began his usual cry with an eye
to business.
Paper sir?' Heroza!-T TRANSCRIPT!
Last a great gap swallowed up the
last edition. and he stood blinking at us
like very chilly young owl.
III buy EN- all, if you'll go home my
little chap; its high time you were abed,'
said John, whisking the darop papers
into one pocket, and his purse out of
another, as he spoke.
sAll of 'em?-wly there's sixI croak-
ed the boy, for he was as hoarse as a
raven.
Never mind, I can kindIe fire with
them. Put that in your pocket; and trot
home as fast as possible
where do you live? I asked, picking
up the fifty cents that fell from the little
fingers, too benumbedfo hold it.
Mills Court; out Of Hanover. Cold,
amt it?' said the boy, blowing on his
purple hands, and hopping teebly from
one leg to the other, to take the stiffness
out.
He can't go all that way in this storm
such mite and SO used up with cold
| and sleep, John.
OF course he can't; we'll put him in
car began John; when the boy
wheezed out
No; I've got ter wait for Sam. He'll
| be along as soon as the theater's done.
He said he would, and so I'm waiting.
who is Sam?' I asked.
Hes the Teller I lives with. 1 ain t
got any folks, and he takes care of me.
Mice care indeed leaving baby like
you to wait for him here, such night as
this [ said, Grossly.
sOh, he's good to me Sam is; though
he does knock me round sometime when
I amt spry. The big fellers shoves NE
back, you see, and I gets cold, and can't
sing out loud; SO don't sell my papers
and has to work 'em off late.
Hear the child! One would think he
was sixteen, instead of six I said, half
laughing.
I'm most ten. Hi !-ain't that a
oner?' cried the boy as a gust of snow
slapped HIM in the face, when he peeped
to see if Sam was coming. sHullo! the
lights is out! Why, the plays done, and
the folks gone and Sans forgot me-
It was very evident that Sam had for
gotten his little protege; and strong de-
sire to shake Sam possessed me-
No use waitin' any longer; and now
my papers is sold, I amt afraid to go
home,' said the boy, stepping down, like
| little old man with the rheumatism,
| and preparing to trudge away through
| the storm.
Stop bit, my little Casahianca; car
will be along in fifteen minutes, and while
| waiting you can warm yourself over
there said John, with the purple hand
| in his.
My names Jack Hill not Classy Banks,
please sir, said the4little party with dig.
nifty.
Have you had your supper, Mr.. Hill?'
asked John laughing.
& had some peanuts, and two sucks oil
Joe's orange; but it warn't very film he
said gravely.
.Ishould think not Here lone stew
and be quick, please, cried John, as we
| sat down in warm corner of the con.
fectioner's opposite.
While little Jack shoveled in the hot
| oysters with his eyes shutting up now
and then, in spite Of himself--we looked
| at him, and thought again of the little
| rosy face at home safe in his warm nest,
| with mother-love watching over him.
Nodding toward the ragged, grimy for.
lorn little creature-dropping asleep over
his supper, like tired baby, said =
Can you imagine our Freddy, out alone
| at this hour, trying to work Off his pa.
| pers. because afraid to go home till he
| has p
4 had rather not try answered brother
John, winking hard, as he stroked the
little head beside him, which, by the
way looked very much like ragged vel.
low door mat. I think brother John
winked hard, but I can't be sure for ]
know T did and for minute there seem
ed to be dozen neWsboys dancing be-
fore my eyes.
There goes our car; and it's the last,
said John, looking at me.
Il az IL fre, l,,,f dnr,,f ou< fl,x lr,.-