The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-02-01
A PRACTICAL JOKE,
AND
What Came OF il.

I'D days business. There was a dearth
Of news and but little demand for what
there was Benny had a sick mother at
home and the whole burden Of her wants
fell upon his shoulders. They were not
very stalwart; and though he was a stout
hearted, brave little fellow, and did his
best to bear up under it, there were times,
and this was one Of them when the weight
made him stagger.
But the little newsboy had no time to
waste in bootles5 reflections; so he hur-
ried along, crying his wares, and as he
was passing one OF the fashionable up
town hotels two young men came out.
Here was u chance, Benny thought.
Dashing aside with manly brush the
gathering tears, he stepped briskly for
ward and cried his wares. One of the
young men said:
Let me have the-no matter which
this one will do," and he took one of the
papers and handed the boy five dollar
bill.
But sir, l cannot change this" said
Benny.
"No matter for the change" was the
reply, and the two friends passed on.
Benny was astounded. 1t had been a
long time since he had seen 50 much mon
ey at once.
Fire doitarS What wouldn't it buy !?
First and foremost, there were half-a-
dozen dolicaces he thought Of for his
mother; and then there was that pre-
scription, and last Of all, his own supper
Leaving Benny to make his purchases,
let US follow the young men, one Of whom
has already turned out so much better
than we expected.
Albert Boynton and his friend Edgar
Price were both strangers in the city,
1t was the latter, aud by no means more
prcpossessing Of the two, whose sudden
freak of generosity SO completely took
Benny by surprise.
"What place is this ?" said Edgar as
the two, after sauntering considerable
time in various directions, were passing
an ungainly looking cdiice Of red brick,
where a motley crowd were jostling one
another.
" A police station, l think" the other
answered.
Lets go in, Al. it'll probably afford
as good chance for sightseeing as any
we can find"
His friend had no objection, and they
entered.
1t was some time before they could sec
what was going on. A man in a blue
coat ornamented with shield, sat be-
hind a railing. In front stood couple
Of policemen, but their prisoner, if they
had one, as they seemed to have between
them was too diminutive to be seen over
the heads Of the crowd
Come, then, what's your charge p
said the man behind the railing address
ing red faced individual in u butchers
apron.
My story's very short un," replied
the latter, That 'ere boy come into
my shop and ordered pound of the nj,
cest steak / had, which he wanted for
beef tea, he said; which cut and weigh
ed ; and then he laid that ere five dollar
bill, which L knowed it was more money
than he had any lawful business with
for knowed how precious hard up they
was-him and his mother. There could
not be two ways about tit was either
q stole bill or a counterfeit. SO [ jest
tells him to wait till can step out and
git change, and | takes it right across tC
the groceryman over the way, and he
hardly clapped his eyes on it when he
Pronounced it bogus. / then called {
perliceman and institootcd perceedins."
Well, and what have you got tosay p
said the officer, looking down at the pris
oner.
Indeed, sir, I didn't know it was
bad INDEED [ didn't" protested child
ish voice.
"Oh Of course not; may be you car
tell where you got it ?"
"A gentleman bought one of my pa
pers this evening" the boy answered
"and gave me this note, and he wouldn'
take any change"
GA likely story-a very likely story
Why didn't you tell us you found it grow
iDor on a bruSb coD,owbaro 2 ool- hin