The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1874-02-11

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they have to fight to live. II some
of them could be taken before this
hardening process they would of
course be more easily managed; but
even some Of the worst turn out well.
Only. yesterday ] saw among the
bOot-blaclls little fellow who ] am
slre 10 unused to their rough way
his face has haunted me ever since.
I'm sorry now | didn't stop to speak
with him. | was in a hurry and he
seemed under the protection of one
of the older boys, SO thought he
would not be absurd, as new recruits
usually are"
"Well," said the farmer, ''it / could
find one could have faith in to IT,. t
with, would try one"
"You would? Well then, suppose
YOU stay over nj ht and we will ct
what we can find. | will 90 over the
missions with you and the orphan
asylumns, if you like. I'd like you
to take look at the armies On the
streets, too"
Al should never tal.e one from the
streets, I'm sure: | have a horror of
them, with their rags and dirt and
oaths."
"Not all not all George, ''re-
peated Mr.. Thomas Manning.
The farmer shook his head incred-
ulonsly; bu nswered, Il don't know
what wife will say; but III stay and
look round"
Out on the streets OF New York
one has TO see and hear to know.
Rich and poor jostle each other.
The street is free to all--thc home OF
many-a great place for business :;
fruit, vegetables, milk, meat, and
fish are cried for sale. mingled with
the hollow sound Of ''char-coall" and
rags" !" rags" the shrlll voice OF
the newo-bov. and the merry cry of
BLACK our-boots," eta moving
panorama in many acts. The broth
ers went Oh together and as they
passed safely to the sidewalk, over .
crowded crossing, Mr.. George Man
ming felt touch on his arm and a
sweet voice said,
'.i.sscE your b"or,-nlakc ',m shnai
CJ,aycu only ike dime
ond IL tar sky.
The farmer was strnck by the curl
,us couplrt, and looking down at his
unpublished boots said:
"Well, sonny, they do need it;
suppose you try yonr hand. Thorn
as" he called to his brother who had
passed on few steps, "here!" IS he
came up, "what do you think Of my
getting shinc?' Ia! ha ha.'
The little fellow set to work quite
business Ike, though q little awk
ward. Taking out his backing ans
brush, he set his box for Mr.. Man
1ing to rest his foot upon. Ther
was some backing on his hands, oi
course, but his clothes were neat and
clean. lie looked up with gratitu i,.
in ds eyes to answer the farmer
questions.
"What was chat song you were
singing, sounyE"
Before he could answer, the city
brother exclaimed:
"WclI, declare, if this isn't the
same little fellow WAS talking about
You haven't been in the business
long, my boy ?"
"No, sir; you bet on that. I'm
rather green. but III shine your
boots for you for all that
He brushed away with the energy
OF small engine. If the gentlemen
had looked they might have seen his
PROTECTOR big booC black-only a
few steps off, with something more
than gratitude expressed on his face
there was real, genuine love, as he
watched his charge.
"You didn't tell me your song," re-
marked the farmer, changing his foot
on the box, one boot shining like q
mirror now despite its coarseness.
swell" laughed the boy, ''y"u see
Ben told me something to say-may-
be ] didn't get it right"
"Out with it; what was il? that
was what caught this customer fol
YOU
The boy raised his head and cried
half smilingly and shyly:
Black yer boots-inake EN- shine;
| Cost yer only ike dime
! ond in the sky"
His 'oice dropped towards the last
He said, 81 guess l get something
else mixed with it. "Ben!" he shout