Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-12-23
GATHERING AS 1T GOES.


Itwas Thanksgiving morning, bright,
old fashioned Thanksgiving morning. A
fall of snow the previous night was joyfully
welcomed by juvenile party in one of our
northern cities, some of whom were enjoy
ing the sport of snow balling each other,
while others had, by their united exertions,
formed a snow ball, which by Its magnitude,
excited the wonder of the younger specta-
tors.
There was, however, one amongst the
crowd who gazed at the snow ball with the
eyes of philosopher man of the world
i say a man, for though Joe Climber had
not seen his twelfth birth day. he was
perfect specimen of the precocious street
boy, whose intellect had been matured by
hunger and sharpened by necessity. He
had obtained from the servant" to whom
his application had been made through the
area OF the ratings, an order to clear away
the snow from the door steps, and, having
completed the job to his own satisfaction,
was now, while waiting for the remunera-
ton Of his labor, watching, with combina-
ton of childish interest and cool calculation,
the progress of accumulation in the snow
ball as the boys rolled it to and fro in the
snow
1T grows bigger and bigger every turn,
said the little fellow to himself, as he lean
ed contemplatively on his broom. That's
the way to get to be great man.
The attitude and something in the fea
lures of the young specuator attracted the
notice of Mr.. Maudsley, the owner of the
house, who was standing at his parlor win
d. dow at the moment, and, by his order,
servant .intimated to the ragged sweeper
that he was to come in to her master, who
wished to speak to him. Somewhat sur
prised but nothing daunted, be followed the
servant into the hall, and having carefully
deposited his shovel and broom on the door
mat, marched directly into the parlor, where
lie was told he would find Mr.. -Maudsley.
1t would not be easy to imagine a mere
striking contrast than that which the poor
unwashed, INTENDED, half naked and half
starved child offered to every object In the
picture to which he was so suddenly intro
dnced. A tattered old fustian jacket, tied.
ior want Of buttons, round his waist with
piece Of pack thread, partly concealead an
inner garment Of dingy hue and dubiuos
material; loose corduroy trousers, made
originally for full grown man, but tucked
up around 1.-The legs to accommodate the dim
AlilEe stature of the actual wearer pair
O. thiek s0led worn out brogans. and
shAPeiess roll of something ike black cloth,
which served ordinarily for cap, but was
nov twisted up hard between his hands,
completed the costume of little Joe as he
Stood digging his hobnailed boots in the
turkish carpet in the centre of the room,
i'elng the pleasant looking man who had
sought this interview. twithstanding
Tue novelty OF his situation, Jo9 retained
us sell possession and coolness, and having
Z! akeen glance examined the countenance
oi Mr.. Maudsley, and being apparently
sAtIsaed with the result of his investigation,
He made a rapid but curious review of the
uelts OF the room, commencing with the
i'sneh clock on the chimney piece, and
saling with the piano, over which hung
'lv Portrait Of the fortunate proprietor of
a. 'nese' smiling and looking upon them
''A an expression of expansive good ma
''e sueh as at that moment diffused itself
over the features of It's original, while ex-
aiming the odd specimen of humanity be-
iore him.
"hat your name, my little fellow?''
asAel Ar. Maudsley, opening the proceed
ID surety business manner and this
reminds ne have not yet informed my
-ITFs that he was a banker-an honest
'l- indeed excellent man, with heart large
ush at least for dozen ordinary men.
nat Is your name, my little fellow ?''
Joe Timber, sir.
W no Is your father p
NeYer had father, sir-leastwise never
-sas1 .1q had one. Tp mothers child"
our mother, then, where is she?'
rune dead three years next New Years,
~ She had me and two sisters younger
I: .Lsn NE to keep. She worked at making
stIs all day and all night often, but she
S,i, :4,an get living out of it, and so she
+, ~ nat then became Of your sisters ?''
H. inGy we're taken to the poor house ,and
'lsy told me hey died too"
mhy did you not go with your sisters?"
i ven, sir, didn't much like it. 1
.-ought L had rather be independent,
TIE little fellow, with resolute air.