Fair play., 1873-08-14
JOHN BLYTHE,S NAMESAKE.

cppt his hobbies. which his friends de-
clared he rode to death. But there was
such an ever-increasing stud of those
unpopular and costly racers that he was
never without half dozen reasonably
fresh ones. And one of them, however
hard-ridden, came up, unbreathed and
sctive, for service every day. John could
not remember when he had not been alb
sorbed in the hope and the work of re-
forming prisoners, and of saving from
crime the street Arabs who became pris-
Oners. When he was six years old he
had been permitted a birthday party, with
the precious liberty Ofinviting the guests
''hisself." But when the afternoon ar
rived, his unsuspecting mother found
her pretty parlOrs invaded by twelve
little gutter-Snipes, not much cleaner
as to vocabulary than as to per-
son. John grew more and more ra-
diant with delight at each grimy and
slinking arrival, so that his mother had
hardly the heart to call him to account.
And when she took him apart to say,
''JOhnny. how could you bring those
dreadful boys into mammals nice clean
hOusey' he looked up with such pained
amaZement that she was silenced. "Why,
mamma," he said, "you told me might
invite which twelve little boys I chOOsed,
and choosed these, cause 1 knew they
didn't ever 20 to birthday before"
Mrs. Blythe felt an uneasy apprehension
that practical Christianity might he a lit
tie uncomfortable in general use. But
remembering certain Divine prescrip-
ton of the etiquette pertai ling to a feast,
which insisted on the bidding of them
who could not bid again, she only said.
"Well Johnny, tell mamma beforehand
next time. Aud now we must take all
your little friends up to the bathroom
and give them 4 scrub, before they play
with the tOys.'
Which very remarkable attention the
young vagabonds received. by means
whereof they would have remembered the
day forever as set apart from all others in
been set apart as a abewilderment Ofgames.
cakes. beautiful surroundings, and double
handfuls Of candy as sort Of stirrup-
cup.
The John Of six.and-thirty was hardly
more conventional and no whit more
selfish than the John of six. And now
ne was urging the minister to take up a
scheme Of his for depOrting certain bad
characters to new field, where he be-
lieved they would reform. ''YOu are too
hard on them. EgertOn," he was saying.
In his vehement way. Il tell you, we
make 'em thieves and keep 'em thieves.
and then shut 'em up, because they are
thieves: in places where tl.ey shed their
thieves skin and come out something
worse. It's the logic of events. I've got
some friends in Rag-pickers' Row: car
rage people: drive dog in soap-bOx.
These aristOcrats. Sometimes I drop in
there when think the world is too care
less Of my high mightiness. It's nasty
cure for peevishness, but thorough. The
ROW has its water view-a mud-puddle
thar is never dry. inhabited by an ague
that's never at home. but always out call
ing in the neighbor hood. The rooms are
Ten by twelve, a family in every room,
and at least ten souls, or cases for souls.
IN every family. The lower the breed.
the larger the litter always. What do
these creatures breathe? Air? No:
stnks! What do they eat? Food? No:
garbage! What do they wear? Clothes -?
No: rags and infection! What fluid is in
their veins: Blood? No: poison! What
90 they do? Live? No: putrefy. body
and bones. heart and brain! The brats
are turned into the street as soon as they
can teddle, to beg or steal. They get into
uhe IOmbs. OF course, and ON the Island.
and so to Sing Sing. and SO to q bad death.
In short. they re born in hell, am. live in
neil. And declare to you again that l
don't believe a Just and tender Father will
give them hell hereafter till they've had
at least chance"
My dear john" said his friend, ..vou
can't wash cOnvicts clean in baths Of sem
umpnt. You yourself wouldn't trust a
convlct's repentance without long proba-
non. There's a great deal to be said on
the other side; but this is my corner, and
1 have work to do. I'll consider the
question, and help you il see nv way
Blythe turned down quiet cross-street
and WAS startled out Of his meditation by
woman's scream. At the same instant
man stumbling up the steps of deer
area, ran violently against him. "Not So
last, friend" said Blythe. s.It's not DO.
lite to run away when people want youI
company. We'll Just turn in here and
see for which of our virtues we are thns
9esired." There was no shaking himself
and the msn obeyed.
70 a. . .' !o" III! Sirl: Sald Blythe
70 the servant at the window.
"Oh, the black thaf.!'' she cried
Sure set me spoons on the winder. sill
and 1t open a minute wild the dnst. and
me sweepln'. and the blatherin' thafe he
him in the act.'' Ao"iii
search me- said TIE man quietly.
II was early. Nobody was in the street
Blythe took the man into the area and
turned his pockets inside out. Not So 81
mnch as pawn-ticket appeared
Friend" said he. 81 must trouble yo,
10 take of your boots.;'
The man laughed uueasily, "Game,