River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-12-23


And said, You seem little lad
"ro rough IT { n the streets like this
I'm ten years cid this Christmas. time I"
"Your name 2" Jim Hanley" Here's bill.
I've nothing else, but this one dime
give dollars. When sou get IT changed
Come TO my ofice-that's the place
Now wait bit, there's time enough
You need not run headlong race.
Where do you live?" "Most anywhere.
We hired a stable.lott to-day,
Me and two others" and you thought
The fruiterer's window pretty, hey2
"Or vera you hungry ?" Just a Bit"
He answered. bravely as he might.
couldn't bug breakfast, Sir,
And had no money left last night"
And you are cold ?" "Aye, Just bit
don't mind coid.n "Why. that is strange ~
He smiled and pulled his'raRged cap.
And darted of tot get the change"
So. with half unconscious sigh,
Isought my Office desk again
An hour or more my busy wits
Found work enough with book and nssh.
Bnt when the mantel clock struck FIVE
started with sudden thought,
For there beside my hat and cloak
Lay those six papers had bought
Why, where's the boy and where's the change
He should have brought an hour agoY
All. well ali. well they're all alike
was fool to tempt him so,
Dishonest Well, might have kpown:
And yet bis face seemed candid. too.
He would have earned tee difference
If he had brought me what was due.
But caution often comes too late"
And SO took my homeward way,
DeemiDg distrust of human kind
The only lesson Of the day.
Just two days later. as sat,
Half doing. in my Office chair.
dheard timid knock, and called
In my brusque fashion, Who is there 81
An urchin entered, barely seven
The same Scotch face, the same blue eyes
And stood, half doubtful, at the door,
Abashed at my fofbidC ing guise
Sir, if you please, my brother Jim
The one you give the bill, you know
he couldn't bring the money, Sir,
Because his back was hurted so.
He didn't mean TO keep the change:i
He got ruined over, up the street:
One wheel went right across bis back
And t'other fOre-wheel mashed his feet
They stopped the horses Just in time
And then they took him up for dead.
And all that day and yesterday
He wasn't rightly in his head.
They took him to the hospital
One OF the newsboys knew twas Jim
And went too. because you see,
We two are brothers, J and him.
- He had that money In his hand
And never saw it any more.
Indeed, he didn't mean TO steal
He never lost a cent before
He was afraid that you might think
He meant to keep IL, airy way;
This morning, when they brought him TO.
He cried because he couldn't pay.
He made me fetch his Jacket hero.
It's torn and dirtied pretty had:
It's only &c 10 sell for rags,
But then. you know, it's all be had
When be gets we'll il won't be long
hyou will call the money lent,
He says he'll work his fingers oil
bnt what he'll pay you every cent"
And then he east q rueful glance
At the soiled Jacket where ~ Law
No. no, my boy Take back the coat.
Your brothers. badly hurt, you sayf
" Where did they take him ? just run out
And hail cab, then wait for me.
Why, would give a thousand coats,
And pounds, for such boy az he!
A half hour after this we stood
Together in the crowded wards.
And the nurse checked the hasiy step.
That fell too loudly on the boards.
thought him smiling in his sleep,
And scarce believed her whom she said
Smoothing away the tangled hair
From brow and cheek, " The boy is dead 80