Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-02-17
Crackers Luck.

"Here's yer evenin' Herald flyer
clorck full account of the great rail.
road accident Herald, sir, supplement ?"
Give me Journal, boy"
"All sold out; here's the Herald, latest
'dition."
Stout gentleman, with heavy gold
watch chain with white vest, dropped a
couple of coins into the hand of the news
boy, who slipped them into his capacious
pocket, while he repeated his cry
"Here's yer eyenin' Herald; flyer
clorck; supplement; only two cents"
The sound was re-echoed at every street
corner as far as you could see.
"Most sold out, Cracker 2" called a
newsboy from the opposite side of the
street. h. E
"All but two; buy me out, Spider /
want to go home this minute"
"Going to tie grea. auction sale on Bea-
con street to buy that house, suppose"
said Spider, coming half way to take the
two papers.
mo, sir; going the other way. My
agent is out of town, and / must make
some heavy purchases on Broad street."
Which meant that he must go home
and buy a loaf at the bakers, and two
cents worth of milk at the corner gro
Gerry.
Of course the real name of our young
friend was not Cracker" but Mike Null
loney. E.
As soon as he had sold out to Spider for
two cents, he started on the run for home,
if the dark, musty den in miserable
alley out of Broad street could be called
home.
His mother had her head tied up, which
indicated a sick-headache, while the
freshly ironed clothes of her customers
hung about the room.
"Ah, Mike, be aisy, my boy" said
Bridget Mulloney, as Cracker bounded
in, noisily; Eye will split me head, in
tirely." -...- .a..
80, forget ye had head, mother a
coup of tea will fi1 it."
"Here is some money, Mike. Just tell
the grocer to send me two ounces of the
best tay, and some bread, and a little SUI
gar"
"Take away yer money. Haven't l a
pocFetful of the same as a man should
have that has family to support Z"
The boy threw down large handful
of cents on the table to confirm his boast.
Don't touch 'em Pat, you rogue" as
his young brother made dash at the
pile. Here's bright one I'll give We,
Pat, and I'll take We along to buy stick
o candy. Hold on, me boy; let's have
another look at it. Gold. by cracky n
"Indade it is that, Nike" said his
mother, examining it.
give dollars. Hooray Let's all 60 up
to Copeland's, to ice cream and oysters.
Come on, Pat"
"But where did you get it, Mike
How should | know who it is that
throws gold bits round after such fash
ion Somebody gave it TO me for a cent,
Just as did to Pat. Waitl Whist /
saw the old fellow give me new cent
watchchain big as;yerI finger, and white
vest. He won't miss it"
wont he, indade Is it yours now, or
is it his? Answer me that" said Bridget,
quite sternly.
"Why, it isn't mine, by right; but l
have possession of the same, and the own
er has taken his lave. When I'm a law
yer, I'll iist prove to ye that I've the best
right to it,"
"Well, if yon keep it and grow up a
thafe, Mike, it's no fault of mine. You
should carry it in your pocket, an when
ye see the man again, jist ask him has he
u Used his pocket piece, and then it will
be all right wild ye."
Bridget Mulloney had a conscience, if
she was poor Irishwoman, and she want
ed Mike to have one too, though five dol
lars was great temptation to them both ;
for poverty like theirs was hard to bear.
Mike was earning money bravely now,
and many comforts found the way into
their house through his hands; but both
he and his mother said little about the
schooling he was losing, and which he
felt so badly about. He had it in his
mind, however, to go to the free evening
school when winter came. This was
Mikes hardship. Not even his mother
knew what it cost him to give up the
hope of good education, and good cheer
fully at work, like a man, to help support
the fatherless family.i
About week after the discovery of the
gold piece, somewhat to his disappoint-
ment, perhaps, Cracker saw "Old Fatty"
as he termed him, coming down School
street. He put himself in the stout mans
way.
"Have paper, sir Journal, Traveller,
Herald ?"
The man shook his head.
you bought one of me the other
day"
u dare say but just bought one up
the street"
"But think there was some mistake
about the change. Did you miss gold
piece ?"
"Why, yes; Nelly's five dollar gold
piece her Uncle John sent her from Cali
fornia. went to the jewelers. the very
next day to have pin made of it, and no
gold piece to be found. Just my luck, l
said. l must have given it away to some
rascal for a cent"
well, l guess not, mister, for you gave
it to gentleman, and that's me, sir, and
here it is. Here's yer evenin' Herald,
Journal, Traveller" deigning no further
notice of the stout man, who stood quite
overwhelmed with this exhibition of in
tegrity, especially in an Irish newsboy.
Look here, youngter," said he, walk
ing around him, to attract his attention /;
"what shall I give you for your hon.
esty 2"
Nothing at all 1 don't ask cent for
not being thief. It's your luck that you
fell in my way, sir. Next time you
throw around yer gold pieces, see that
you're among honest fellers like me-"
"Much obliged for your advice. It's
your luck that you fell in my way, per-
haps. What can do for you p
"Well, if you insist upon it, give me
your card, sir, and 1 will sell you paper
at your office, if it's on my beat"
"Confound the little rascal " thought
Mr.. Wales, for that was the name on the
card. "How did he know / have an Office,
instead of store? Call about o'clock
tomorrow, at - fremont street." said he
to Mike.
"All right, sir. Have paper, sir z"
Cracker was at work again, for be never
let customer slip. .- ..
The Old South clock was striking five
when Cracker entered Mr.. Wales's office
next day with his papers.
Journal" said the Compliant gentle
man. "How mu h money can you make
day /? What's your name?
Michael Mulloney-Cracker for short