Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-07-24
a Row ofPluck.

MORNING. niCndfu htnbicf 49, 1855 49,. -. |
entaec unknown, Grand boy in country hotel,
stood IN the sunshine, polishing knives with
piece Of corr. and the dust OF Bristol brick.
was not well dressed; few boys who sup
port themselves are. He had on pair oil brown
trousers which had been thrown ASIDE py 'he
green cord. His shirt was little the worse Ior
wear and the lack Of water, aud his shoes were
as fun Of holes as a fish net. Yet he was nap
py. ,.,. ii, h..d H
down, and his yellow hsir f,Sing' ne wn'S'''
merrily, "old Bob Ridley, o, no, no.
While he was thus engaged, there descend
ed from tho rear door of the hotel, tan, hiJe
haired old gentleman, who walked with a cane,
He suited the morning air as II he enjoyed h,anu
advanced to the sunshine winch was ii'''e
way of.
lie heard the sound of Richards whistle, anti
turned about and went toward him.
Dick, fbe was called DickD not hearing MS
footsteps kept on with his tune and his rubbing,
The old gentleman waited for moment ana
called with loud voice.
"Boyl"
The boy dropped his knife and his cork, and
threw up his head in astonishment. "oiu MT.
Mathews down here, p" thought he. WHATS ne
after now2' IT
Dick had a fair face, with blue eyes, He
was bri Sht and Intelligent. The OLD gentleman
looked at him for moment in silence. li'e'
he put out his hand and took Dick by the enlh,
and turned his head to and fro, as ii examining
1t. Then he said In peasanter tone ;
Twondsr IL you are ever sickT
"No, SIR said Dick, politely VI am he' =
sick" -
,Ab,' murmered the other. After another
moment, during which Dick put his mead
down and began rubbing softly, again the otuei
asked:
"a we you got all your senses
Iguess so,' replied Dick, wondering
Are you happy"
Eyes, SIR
DO you have to work hard9
Pretty Lard, SIR
Here the old gentleman saw the proprieto
of the hotel In the ID or OF the stable III
turned away from Dick and walked ever Il
him.
The two talked together quite earnestly
The old gentleman was asking DICKS history
The other Piled that he had taken him ZION
founding school 10 do odd CHORES about III
hotel. He gave him his board aud lodging an
fifty dollars year. He said that next year h
would give him "a hundred dollars. Then TIL
two men walk apart, conversing In lo'
tones. Dick ianced they were talking abou
him.
After awhile tue old gentleman again al
preached him.
slow would you like to come and live wi:
me'
What did you say, siri' gasped Dick, wit
stall ing eyes. =.
Il say, how would you like 10 come aud Il,
with me? You would have IL make my iire If
wanted one. brush my clothes. and my boot
and keep my room IN order l should p.
you three dollars a week, and dress you We
and pay your board. am rot as savage "
look; indeed, think am pretty good tire'
on the whole
Dick was overcome. He turned red and
warm perspration broke out all over lis bod
lie stood first onone foot and then on the ot
er.
Finally he replied, under his breath: Il que
should like it, sir
IAN right. replied the other; "conlc up to n
room after you have cleaned your KNIVES
have arranged the matter with the landlor
and he will get somebody to take your place .
once
Dicks head went round and round. NJ
Matthews was reported to be very rich. Dl(
had often looked in at his apartments with gre
awe, and had held bis breath as he sazed upu
the pictures, and curtains and CUSHIONED chail
Now he was TO have right to 60 into u
rooms, and to sit anil look his fill. But
looked in dismay at bis long hair and soi
clothing. He had no other clothes, aud the
was no other boy around ofWhom lie could Gf
row.
Therefore he was obliged to present hi
self gust as he was, except that he vert to u
pump and washed his face and hands and com
ed his hair.
On entering his new masters room he W
pot at bis ease at once.
and showed him the fine ornaments and piGtGii
il coutainen.
Pretty soon n tailor came, who brought wi
him sevt:1l suits Of clothes, and aboS Of sho,
socks collars and neckties ofvnious S zcs a
desr!i .els.
Dick was .uppIie3 wi'h. ii! outfit in Ii
an hour. - tlilu. ihep took hl!n t)thc b
ber's and his hair WIS chi; and Dick bar,
knew himself in his greatly improved appe
ance.
In the afternoon ne went out for the Fl
time with MIR. Mathews who WAS going TO v
u sick friend.
Dick had wicker basket with cordial, an
box of peaches on one armand large stan
brella under the other.
The boys who met him stared and laugh
and shrexed from the corners. 20, my, WI;
SWELL . dear! This did not disturb Dick, III
eveI He stood up straighter HIS tasks IN
his new master proved 10 he light though IL
most of the day they had KEEP, him basily
work.
In the meantime he discovered ,Lat he 10
TO read. On many a day, In the hfternC
amer he had attended faithfully to what was
quired Of him, he would sit curled up upon
window seal, intensely interested IN his j
tory or his Tom Brown; while the Old gei
man would secretly observe him from cor
and say TO himself, swell, really, think
that lad. l hope may fud in him all
ticipaie.'
Shortly after Dick came into his nrw +
ton, Mr.. Mathews took afr@ rlulays TO
mountains and seaside. Dick accompanied
and being required to pc FORM yri ls dut
and meet many people, he er'w older
more manly. But still ne looked fragile.
cheeks were thin and white. bp,lgh he
always cheerful ard happy lie polished b
and carried parcels, and chrflp'l is he We
ed. There were no lazy boues IN lin, all,
bad no 'cross-turns'
But the old Gentleman Wa, BOT fdlly sati.
as yet, that he was a boy to b. trusted.
was accustomed TO have ahout lis person
In hi room, money and valuable trinkets.
Is therefore 10 wonder that hi felt some so
tude will regard to Dicks Honesty.
do rot think that Mr. Mabows way of
itgthe logs trIstworthineas was the BE-
as / am detailing fac;s, give hem as they
cured.
The old gentleman Grtermnel I'd leave pi
oil money OH the tloOr, and IN pl ires wher
supposed that Dick would infer that they
been care!essly dropped, AMI would not
missed But not once was he boy led TO
any portion ofthese stray ii.cts Of tempta
II was, however, Moan aruiirc, ind We
not respect NJ Mathews fog Using il.
In the following aufumn, tic OH gentle
moved into town. a' took apart nen,s ia
tired street, where his rooms wrrt ltte, II
grand style.
Dick came out il a powerful bvercoat
new hat and gloves and began 10 feel S
what inclined to pr . himself upo1 his pos
aud appearance.
Not long after this, his MISTER one dav
chased small but heavy safe which he
hoisted from the street and brought iutc
room through one of the ". adows WI
was landed safely ii was wheeled into a ,