The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-07-09
CITY LIFE SKETCHES.
BOB, THE BOOTBLACK.
BY AGILE PENNF.

A man stood on the corner of Mulberry anc
Chatham streets one pleasant April evening, II,
was apparently waiting for some one, for every
now and then he glanced up and down the stree
and examined his watch.
The bell of the City Hall rung out nine
"Why the deuce don't he come ?" murmured
the man to himself impatiently. "Is it plant
after all ? He ought to know better than to try
such game upon me-
"Black yer boots ,! cried shrill voice close al
the mans elbow.
The impatient waiter turned and beheld lit.
tie fellow clad in ragged garb. The box slung
over his shoulder, and the backing brush in his
hand, told his trade.
"Shine em up for yer-only five cents, cap,
continued the boy, who was a bright looking lit
tie imp, despite the dirt upon his face, or the
tangled masses of curly brown hair that overhung
his forehead
'sNo, not tonight said the man .'to-morrow,
perhaps, I'll give you job"
"W herell find You tomorrow, Mister Burt ~
asked the boy.
''HelloH' cried the man in surprise, edo you
know me?'
"You bet !" emphatically replied the boy, with
grin. why, cap, we gutter.rats all know Mic
Burt, the cutest detective in New York
The detective-for it was the celebrated Mich
olas Burt, the detectiye-smlled at he COM
plrnent.
81 guess I'll have to let you polish me up for
that" he said "buc hurry up, for Pm waitin' for
party"
''Im just old lightnin', cap." cried the boy,
unslingng his box and setting to work upon the
muddy boots of the detective.
"Do you live anywhere around here 7" asked
the officer
Yes here's where / hang out" replied the
boy, polishing the boot industriously.
whats your name -
Bob"
"Bob what Z"
well, cap, you've got me y said the boy, paus.
ing III bis work and looking into the face OF the
detective in puzzled Way. It's Bob nothing,
or Bob any thing as far as knows
Haven't you any folks y
"Nary one. I'm going it alone, cap said Bob,
cheerfully.
We'll, but you have lad a father or mother
sometime =
"Well, s'poso so, said the boy, rather doubt.
fully, "but l never know'd anything about EN-
l was Jest raised right out of the gutter. An old
moke took care on me till was big enough to
look oct for myself; then she kicked me out in
to the street, an started in business Oh my own
hook I sold papers first an roasted in coal
boxes or in entry-ways, till one day found
dollar; then l shook the papers and went into
the backing line. | done just bully. make
lots of stamps now. Why, get my plate of hash
regular, bully hash, too. Igoes to the Old Bow
cry theatre every Saturday night. tell yer,
they just howl down there, you bet"
"But where do you sleep nights ?" asked the
detective, feeling slight degree of interest in the
"street Arab.
ooh, I've just got hunky roosting place. It's
cellar in an old shanty down here. It's luney
old barrack. 'Taint occupied much, COS the fei.
Ter wat used to live there has gone to Sing Sing
for the good of his health. gets into the cellar
by hole in the side of the house. Me an she
rats had an awful fight at the first Of it, but
jest made it warm for 'em, you bet. There's u
lot of straw down there; it makes high old
bunk" And the boys eyes sparkled as he de-
scribed the home which, to him, was palace
IL say, cap" he said, abruptly, still rubbing
away on the boot swat are you up to down here /!
Are yon a.gong to nab some kuuck?" pick.
pocket
mo, not ts.night," replied the officer, with a
smile at the boys question. I'm waiting to
meet party here, that's all. In search of lit.
tie information"
I'd like to see you go for somebody" said tho
boy with grin.
I'm afraid that YOU won't be Rratiied.r ro.
piled Burt, rather amused by the quaint conceit
of the bootblack.
There You are, cap" said Bob giving the
finishing touch to the boot. "Jest look at the
polish on the toes; them corns Of yours are bully
things for to polish"
"There's your five cents and the officer uayo
him the COIN
Il wouldn't charge you a cent, cap, bu. I'm
clean busted, said the boy, pocketng the coin
"You see played policy this morning, al la
got the first number from the first charcoal wag
on seed arter left my roost, an 1 amt hi,
'em. And biz has been bad todsy-money',
scarce, you bet"
'Ill take the will for the deed"
''Say you're hunky boy, you are ~ said The
bootblack, with admiration visible on bis face
'Tm jest goin' for to get some poor mans doned
turkey"
Whats that ?" asked the detective.
Hash Jest look ct mo waits Of on nv eve.
brow" and with this peculiar request, Bob, The
bootblack, departed.
"A smart youngster, muttersd Tho officer.
Then . shabby dressed follow, with hsny.
dog look approached hin.
"Hopo haven't kept you waiting" tho new
oomer said.
mot long" The detective replied