Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-04-02
Tho ten cents were paid. Sleep most


face, so strangely unlike the faces Of those
with whom his lot had been cast. "What
do you mean by that'"
"Well, sir, it's so. Sometimes get a
bed in cellar, and sometimes in garret,
just as it happens"
"Do you pay for it'"
"Oh yes indeed They won't let you
sleep for nothing"
"TIow much do you pay for bed'"
"Sixpence or shilling, 'cording to
where it is"
why don't you stay in one place."
asked the man. "Why do you 60 from
cellar to garnet, as You say, just as it
happens"
Cause, sir, they get drunk and swear,
and fight so most everywhere / get in
that don't care to 60 again; and so l
keep moving round. Shine your boots,
sir?"
And seeing customer, off the boyra
for he had his living to earn, and couldn't
stop to talk when there was business to
do.
The man walked away more than ever
interested in this brave little fellow fight
ing at so tender an age the battle of life,
child Bayard, in the midst of enemies.
vet "without fear and without reproach."
4 few hours later in the day--it was
midsummer and the air hot and sultry-
rs this man was passing the corner OF
street where an applewoman had her
stand, he witnessed scene that we will
describe.
The apple-woman had fallen asleep.
Two boys-a newsboy and the little boot
black Just mentioned-were ut the stand.
The newsboy. who was larger and stoutei
than the bootblack, seeing good chance
to get apples without paying for them
was Just seizing two or three Of The larg
est, when the little bootblack pushed
bravely in, and the man heard him say
That's stealing, and it can't be DONE
The newsboy grew red with anger as
he turned fiercely upon the little fellow,
raising his fist to strike him. but his we'll
aimed blow did not reach the soft yet
bravely indignant face, for an arm strong
er than his caught the descending fist and
held it for an instant with firm grip.
In the next momen. the scared newsboy
had broken away, and was scampering
down the street as fast as his legs could
carry him.
Honest and brave! That was well
done, my little fellow" exclaimed the
man, turning TO the young bootblaek.
And now" he added, 'you must come
TO my store Wen find some better way
for you."
Where is it, sir?" asked the boy.
Not far away. Come" said the man,
rs he moved on; and the boy followed
, him. They walked for distance OF two
or three blocks, and then entered store.
the man moving along through bales and
> boxes until he reached counting-roon
at the rear end. Lying Off his hat, he
took a chair, turning to the lad, who now
, stood before him with curious, wonder
ing face-too heavy for SO small Il child
, his foot rest. containing brushes and
: blacking. slung across his shoulders.
| Take that thing of. and set it out in
the store, or throw,it into the street,
don't care which," said the man, pointing
to the dirty box.
| The lad took it off and set il outside OF
the office door, then came back and stood
{ gazing at the man earnestly.
what is your namc?"
Jimmy Lyon, siI, answered the boy.
; "Is your father living"
mo. sir"
, "Your mother" The mans tones were
, a little softer as he said Mother"
/ "Shes dead" He saw the chld's face
. change-he felt the tender sorrow that
crept into his voice.
} ..IIow long has she been dead?"
: mot long, SIR" The brave voice broke
; the clear eyes were wet.
.'And there is no one to take care oi
YOU"
/ mo, sir"
How old are you?'
5 ''Ten, last June, sir"
E The man thought of his own little boy
at home. Just ten last June, and shiver
= of pam crept througt his heart.
Q ''What are You going to do?" he asked,
wishing to learn more of what was in the
child's thoughts.
, take care of myself, sir. "fve got
, to do it nown And Jimmy drew himself
up and put on brave look. which
, touched the mans heart as much as the
; weakness that showed itself in wet eyes.
WAS it in the city that your mother
died?" inquired the man.
"Yes, SIR"
"How long ago."
3 ats only three weeks, sir" The brave
5 look went out OF his eyes.
"Where did she die?'
down in Water street. We lived in
= a garret. She was sick good while, sir,
5 and couldn't work Father died last win
5 ter. But he didn't do anything for us"
A shadow of pain was in the child's face,
and the man saw him shudder.
Ah He understood too well the sad