National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13
A Lessen for Ro-c,

"Commcrcidi Mall and German Nens 7
shouted ragged little elbow one after
noon lately, rs he rushed through Q
street ear in which we had just taken d
seat. "Commerciai sir !" said he, turn.
ing toward us and planting q horribly
muddy bare foot flat upon our newly
polished boot. We felt provoked and
raised hand to push the boy off, but
he was too quick for us. Starting back
he bowed profoundly, and in the bland.
est possible manner, said "Please cx.
cuse me. sir I'm really very sorry |
couldn't help it-that big gent showed
me. Tell us where your Office is, boss.
blacken momings-call q I'd shine 'em
M for nothin', sir" W were no much
pleased and struck with this display OF
ready politeness, and, despite the dirt,
his pleasant, honest face. that we gave
him a card aud told him to call as he
wished. On the following morning q
strange boy entered our Office with a
backing box slung over his shoulder
and our card in his hand. Said he,
cycling our boots, ''Be you the gent as
give 'Tinsey' this ere card ?" "Who is
Tinsey % we asked. "The fellow that
sloshed yer boots in the car last night
His mothers awful sick, aud he's got to
stay and mind his little sister. He says
he's sorry he couldn't come and give
yes shine hsself, but 'Tinsey' and me
often go wacks, and I'll shine 'em for
you just the same, free -gratis-for moth
ing" This helped to confirm the good
opinion we had of the newsboy, and SO
We asked the bootblack to tell "Tinsey," 4"
as he called him, that when it was con-
venient for him, we should be pleased
to have him call Two or three days
aiterward, "Iinsey called, ragged and
barefooted as before. He tod us that
his father had been dead two years ;
that his mother and two sisters were
very poor, living in rear basement in
Goerick street, aud he himself lived at
the Boy's Lodging House in Rivington
street, paying five cents for his supper,
bed and breakfast. His earnings aver
aged from fifty to seventy. five cents
day. and most of it went to support his
mother, who was very sickly, and only
uede few cents occasionally peddling
tinwaTe. This fact accounts for the cog
nomen "Tinsey," by which tho boy
was known. Considerably improved in
appearance, we dismissed the boy, say
ing that we shou cell and tee his
mother, and make inquiry regarding him
at his lodging house, and ii reports We're
favorable we should give him work in
our Office. The poor boy was overioyed
at this and said he would so like to get
regular work, because the conductors
kicked him off the cars, and big boys
drove him from the best Hacking stands.
The superintendent of the Rivington
street Lodging House knew "Tinsey"
well, and spoke very highly of him. He
said he was one of the few street boys
who did not use tobacco, swear or stay
out late at night. He always attended
night school and Sunday meetings, and
generally had book from the library.
His affection for his mother and sisters
was very great, and when he was hard
pushed would sell his shoes and best
garments in order to purchase trifne
delicaciss for his sick parent. His
mother said Charley-for that is Tin
sey's" right name-was the best of boys,
and the mainstay of the family. He
slept at the Rivlngton street Lodging
House, she said, where he had received
most of his education and much good
advice. These inquiries satisfied us
that "Tinsey" deserved helping hand.
lie Is now in our employment, an active,
trustworthy boy He is
neither bare footed now, nor wears rag
ged clothes, but earns competent sal
ary, and lives with his mother in a COM
Portable home. He is now on the pri-
mary steps of ladder that leads to in
fuence aud independence. with fair
prospect of one day standing on the top
most round.--N Y. Paper.