Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-09-24

mat Il made his own fingers nimbler and
also lmpelled the others to fresh activity
Jack, his warm ally now, often Won
dered why he worked so INCREASINGLY: |
put his questions concerning the subject
only called forth q knowing look and a
bright smile.
Benny had carried his precious secret
so long that he did not feel like impart-
ing now; but at last Jacks importantly
prevailed, and, in reply to some ques-
tlonS and conjectureS that shot wide of
the marx, Benny said: It's Boots"
boots' repeated Jack. nowise en-
llSIleneo, what does the youngster
The secret once out Benny's tongue
Was Ioosened and he poured forth the
Nhoie story. how, the previous winter,
MS 1eet mad ached with the cold, and all
ne haa 10 cover them were such odd or
cast-on shoes as he could manage to OBJ |
tain; and how he had watched other
boys playing in the snow. or on the ice
and he unable to join in the fun. So
when ne heard some lads talk of earning
money by picking hops he thought per
haps he too might, through this means.
earn enough to buy the long-desired
bOOts-tOp boots, tOo-and he had worked
so hard he did think he'd have them
after all And here he gave a sigh. part
" at the remembrance of Hol0 hard he
had worked, and partly of satisfaction
over the coming realization of his hopes.
Jack listened with interest, and also
with sympathy, and resolved in his own
mind to give Benny a shove" While
he was wondering how he could do so,
| and plying the child, as he watched the
odd little figure pick-picking away, the
big wagon came along, filled with bags
of hops to be conveyed to buyer. A
good thought came to Jack, and he acted
upon it.
"Here, Benny" said he, ''jump on
this wagon; needn't hurry back, either;
I'll take your place while you're off"
At first Benny hesitated about leaving
his work, as if he feared Jacks pickings
would not amount to as much as his own;
but when he saw how vigorously the big
fellow applied himself to his task, and
how quickly he stripped the hops from
the vines, he gave a joyful shout, and
climbed up to the wagon seat, where he
perched himself as proudly as if he was
monarch of all he surveyed. 1t was such
a nice change for him, and he came back
looking 50 pleased, that Jack had taste
Of the JOY that follows kindness done
Of course Benny's secret soon ceased
to merit that name; in fact Jack told it
the first chance he could find, and every
one seemed as much interested as Jack
had been, while many of them likewise
tried to give Benny a little assistance.
They would call on Boots" to draw
fresh water, or make some other excuse
to relieve him, while the willing hands of
the sender took his place Boots" was
the name he went by among them; and
he liked it, as it was a reminder of what
lie hoped to possess by and by.
Hop picking season came to an end
Benny was half sorry for this, even
though it brought pay day, for he had
never known such happy time as the
past two weeks had been. The men
were gathered around the door of the
barn, while their employer was reckon
ing up accounts, and paying them one by
one. After receiving his money, each
man and boy loitered till Benny's turn
came.
pass Boots along" said Jack, as he
urged the shy but eXpectant child through
the group.
"Come, little man, you are one of my
best pickers," said the master, as he
reckoned up Benny's earnings. Fifteen
boxes, at fOrty-five cents a box, that
cents, and here it is"
Six dollars! Nearly seven! The labor
was forgotten in the JOY of its reward
No dread of Jack Frost now, and in an
ticipatiOn he was already clothed from
head to foot.
Now" said one man, 81 move that
we see this thing through. When do you
get your boots, boy?"
Right off" answered Benny. Mother
said [ might have 'em as soon as earned
'em"
That's fair" said the other. 'Boys,
what dye say to going along and giving
him the benefit of our advice?"
The others gave willing assent, and
the great wagon was packed full, Benny
occupying the seat Of honor by the
driver.
"The boys are glad their work is over"
said one or two lOOkers-On as the wagon
passed through the streets. They thought
so because of the merry talk they heard,
but | know it was because the boys
hearts were SO full that they overlooked
at their mouths.
The wagon stopped at the Four Corners
and the group formed a sort of process
sion, with Benny and Jack at the head;
and thus they marched up the street and
1hGO bllC OJIOC-oIOlE 1llC SuOCuldhtI
looked up in surprise as they filed in, ali
laughing rather boisterousiy. Perhaps
he thought he was going to sell out
large portion of his stock on very short
notice; but Jack soon brought him to
business, and he was not long in compre-
hending matters.
The boots were selected, the first new
pair Benny had ever owned; and real
good pair, too, stout ones of genuine calf
skin, with emo fummididdles about
them" as one man said,
"Now, Benny, pull 'em on, said Jack.
Benny began at first drawing out an
apology for a stocking, which he had
brought in his pocket, in anticipation of
this blissful hour The stocking was
made up as much of holes as of cotton
indeed there was only cotton enough to
hold the holes together, but notwithstand-
ing this it was a stocking, and as such it
added dignity to the event in Benny's
eyes; besides, you know, he was not ac-
custOmed to nice, sound stockings, so he
would not be likely to think his ragged
ones were noticeable for that reason
But Jack viewed the matter differently.
In his opinion a pair of new boots
merited pair Of sound stockings.
Hold on therer' he exclaimed, as
Benny, with an O-be-ioyful face, was
proceeding to draw the boots over the
tatters. "Hold on, Ben, I'll be back
soon :" and off ne ran. Benny looked |
surprised but obeyeG; while one or two
of the men went to the door in time to |
see Jack enter store near by from
which he soon returned with a small |
parcel in his hand
Take off those rags" was his COM
mand, as he approached Benny, who had
remained seated on the counter in quiet
content, examining his new boots.