Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-02-12
POLITENESS THAT PAID.

=" commercial, lMda, and German
NelUS :" shouted a ragged little fel-
low one afternoon, lately, as he rushed
through street car in which We had
Just taken a seat. " Commercial, sir %
said he, turning toward US, and plant
ing a horribly muddy bare foot flat
upon our newly polished boots. We
felt provoked, and raised a hand to
push the boy off, but he was too quick
for US. Starting back he bowed po-
litely, and in the blandest possible
manner said PLEASE excuse me, sir?
Pm really very sorry 1 couldn't help
it that big gent. showed me. Tell US
where your Office is, boss. 1 blacken
mornings-call and shine 'em up for
nOthin', SIR" We we're much pleased
and struck with this display of ready
politeness, and, despite the dirt, his
pleasant, honest face, that we gave
him a card, and told him to call next
morning, as he wished. On the fol-
lowing morning a strange boy entered
our office with a backing box slung
over his shoulder, and a card in his
hand. Said he, eyeing our boots, BE
you the gent. as give 'Tipsey' this
iere card" Who is Tinsey?D we
asked. The fellow that sloshed yer
boots in the car last night. His moth
ers awful sick, and he's got to stay and
mind his little sister. He says he's
sorry he couldn't come and give yes
q shine himself, but Tinsey' and me
often 90 whaeks, and I'll shine 'em
for you just the same, free gratis-for-
nothing.I'5 This helped to confirm
the good opinion we had formed of
the neWsboy, and so we asked the
toot-black to tell "Tinsey," as he
called him, that when it was conven-
lent for him, we should be pleased to
have him call. Two or three days aft
erward "Tinsey" called, ragged and
as before. He told us that
his father had been dead two years;
that his mother and two sisters were
very poor, living in a rear basement
in Goerck street, and he himself lived
at the Boys Lodging House, in Riv-
lngton street, paying five cents each
for his supper, bed aud breakfast. His
averaged from fly to seven
ty-five cents day, and the most of it
went to support his mother, who was
very sickly, and only made a few
III
This fact accounts for the cognomen,
81 TiDsey," by which the boy was
known Considerably improved in
we dismissed the boy, say
ing that we should call and see his
and make inquiry regarding
him at the lodging house, and if re-
ports were favorable we might give
him work in our Office. The poor boy
was oveTjoyed at this; said he would
like SO much to get regular work, be
cause the conductors kicked him off
the cars, and big boys drove him from
the best backing stands.
The Superintendent of the RiYing-
ton Street Lodging house knew ''Tin-
sew 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 the
meetings, and generally bad
a book from the library. His affec-
ton for his mother and sister was very
great, and when he was hard pushed
would sell his shoes and best garments
in order to purchase trifing delieacies
for his sick parent. His mother said
that is " Tinsey's" right
the best of boys, and the
mainstay Of the family. He slept at
the Rivington Street Lodging house,
she said, where he had received most
Of his education and good advice
These inquiries satisfied us that 'Tin-
,ey" deserved a helping hand. He
Is now in our employment, an active,
Intelligent, trustworthy boy. He is |
neither barefOoted now, nor wears
ragged clothes, but earns competent
'alary, and lives with his mother in a |
home. He is on the pri-
mary steps of a ladder that leads to |
influence and independence, with a
air prospect of one day standing ON
he topmost round.-Net0- York Com
7lercidL Advertiser.