The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-06-17
MisGeIIaneOns 5elettions.
THE "HLrAsEs. +"


Mr.. Grayton was sitting in his
Office, on the morning Of the 25th of
December, when he felt his elbow
touched. Looking down, he saw
standing there a ragged, dirty boy
of ten years old-just such a child
as you may see scores of in a great
Icity.
Nothing was more unusual than
for any one to penetrate into Mr..
Grayton's sanctum unannounced.
Even business men found this room.
in business hours, difficult of en-
trance, for Mr.. Grayton was doing
an immense business, and required
the uninterrupted use Of his time.
Here, however, now stood this
boy, and the moment he saw he had
attracted the merchants attention,
he held out his hand with the usual
whine
"Please give me penny to keep
Christmas with, sir"
"@Who are you? asked the mer-
chant, looking at him with a kind
smile.
The boy took courage on the in.
slant, and repeated his request-''A
penny to keep Christmas with, please
sir"
"Now, Johnny" and Mr.. Grayton's
lsmile GREW even kinder as he put
down his papers and gave his atten-
ton to the child, Il will make a
bargain with you. 1 don't know
how you came in here. How did
you? Tell me that, first; and mind,
no lies. Let you and I tell the truth
to each other"
81 crept in behind the boxes
through the store; and then when
the old feller with the light turned
his back, ! cut and run, Eve watched
you sir, and (his voice falling into
a whine again, you'll give me pen
ny, cause it's ChristmasY
81 will make q bargain with you,
johnny, by and by. Listen to me
first. Your name IS Johnny, l sup
pose"
The boy shook his head without
answering.
ooh, then, if l am rot to know
what it is, then we can't trade.
Good morning"
"It's-
"Stop Johnny Remember, the
first part of our bargain is, that you
speak only the truth"
A faint color spread over the face,
visible even through the dirt. Then
the boy said, almost sulkily,-
"There be so many of them"
$50 many? Why, that is the way |
they christen royal children. You're
in luck"
80, they are all Eliases. 10
"Elias? That's a good name"
mo, Eliases. johnny elias Tom,
elias Dan, elias Bill, elias Jones,
elias
''Yes, l understand. Well, now,
drop the Eliases, and tell me what
your mother calls YOU"
Little devil, sarse-box, imp of
Satan, brat; and, when she is drunk,
darling"
These words the boy said stand
ing on one foot, swinging around on
it as if it were a pivot /
Mr.. Grayton looked down and
saw the feet, bare, cracked open and
bleeding.
"And yet" he said, with look Of
tender pity in his face, mot one of
these is your real name" /
20, that's Ted" u
Ted? Better yet. l like Ted.
Now Mas5er Ted" (no one had ever
called him SO before). well pro
ceed with our bargain, If you will
go out to the nearest place where
you can find water, and wash your
self cIean-mind, now say clean, i
40 streak-I will give you a quarter
when you come back" /,
From under the shocks Of dark
hair, two blue eyes smiled; but the
mouth drew its corners down, and
said, very plainly Is
mo, sir, you don't catch me that
way; when l come back you'll be
gone. "A bird in the hand is worth
two in the BUSH" So, instead oft
Ted said, holding out his
hand, but without whining now
"A penny to keep Christmas with /
please sir (
For shame, Ted! Are you afraid
to trust me? will wait here until
you come back, if you come any
time before two
Now, it may perhaps not seem so
to my readers, but / hold it to be
one of the greatest compliments ev-
cr paid to this GOOD. rich man. that