The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-04-23

80, with your things, and you can carry
1t with the cover down, all snug.' And
slipping small old leather-covered book
from his pocket as Tom finished his work
he hastily showed the boy how to pack
1t out of sight.
9 There, that's all right. Now, if you'll
no, stop" he reflected. 81 won't have
you take them TO the book-bindery di-
rectly. You take them to that place, :"
and he gave Tom card on which was
written certain number and q certain
street.
60 Yes, sir" said Tom, once more.
And tomorrow come again. and you
may black my boots, and I'll give you a
book, and also fifty cents. You'll oblige
me, and I'll obhge you, and We'll be firm
friends. Ha, ha, Ia :"
And the old gentleman patted Toms
back, and gently pushed him toward the
door. But don't say any thing about
this, and don't fail to carry the book to
the proper place. Promise to be care
full = and the gentleman smiled.
And Tom, whose head was full Of ideas,
readily replied, "Ill carry it safe, sir. ="
And Tom did so.
The more Tom reflected upon this
whole affair, the more thoughtful he be-
came. He was sharp and keen, and it
was hard to deceive him.
That night he slept in an old iron boiler
that had lain for years on vacant lot in
C street. In this rent-free tenement,
he and Patsey Regain, another boot
black, had contrived to make a bed of
hay and shavings, that kept them quite
comfortable when the weather was not
severe.
No sooner had Tom and his fellow
ledger curled into their queer kennel for
the night, than Tom told Patsey his adj
venture, but without exposing his en-
ployer's name.
"The ould villain :" exclaimed Patsey,
getting up on his elbow.
That was pretty nearly what Tom
thought.
"He's maxim cats paw of We. He's
stain the buks, and that's way he has
of gettin' 'em home He don't have 'em
bound. That's all barney"
"But he's the President" said Tom.
"The President o bother! He's a
clark, or somethin'. To think Ov him
calm poor by from the strate, and
TUX up for dom his dirty work. o my,
I'd like to .fr him :" And, in the heat
of his indignation, Patsey gave the side
of the old boiler whack.
"And what would you do9" asked
Tom.
Patsey was for going out and telling
the first policeman But Tom was
longer-headed. He knew that he must
have more certain evidence of the old
gentleman dishonesty than he could
show yet. The two boys talked over the
matter, and finally agreed upon line of
action.
Tom appeared the next day at the
library promptly at p. M, and waited
for his new patron. Presently the old
gentleman came down beaming as gra-
ciously as ever, though Tom thought he
appeared just little nervous.
He patted Tom on the shoulder again,
and Mt once set him to backing his boots.
BY the time this was done, he had drawn
another book from his pocket, and con-
cealed it in Toms box.
Garry it Just where you did the other
one, my boy" said he. and then he gave
him some more money and dismissed
him with compliment for his faithful
ness.
As Tom passed out of the door, he
made a sign to Patsey, who by agreement
was sitting on step not far off, and Pat
sey nodded little, but did not move.
At half-past four Patsey did move, for
he saw the old gentleman whom Tom
had described come out of the library
alone. He followed him. That night
the two boys met again in the old boiler.
"Guess we've got him, said Tom.
"Ye're right" said Patsey. 81
waited fur him two hours, and then he
come out and whit to the place where We
was tould to lave the book. And seed
him cut ag'in with the book under his
arrum, and he whit straight home, car
ryin' 1.-THE ould fox !"
Pleased with their success thus far,
the boys laid their plans for tomorrow
and fell asleep. Tomorrow came, and
in the afternoon Tom again repaired to
the library with his boot-blacking box.
The old gentleman appeared, smiling,
but in something more of hurry than
usual.
Here you are,' said he. "Here's
the little polisher. Never mind the
boots now, but here's the fifty cents, ano
here's the book. Take it to the same
place, and mind and say nothing about
| it."
He put the book in Toms box exactly
as he had done on the day before.
"And how is business to-day, lad ~
/ in joking tone. "How is young Hon
esty9 How goes the tuneful brush to
day, Ell? Ha, IN ! See him blush -
You are the one who ought t,
blush, sir" said dignified voice from
behind.
Pale as ashes, the terrified old maj
turned and saw the chief librarian an,
policeman enter from a side-room
while Patsey Regain, grinning brough
up the rear.
&c Sir" said the librarian, bendin,
upon the culprit look of severity, "yor
have been detected i'll fragrant theft
and we now believe you to be tho perso
who has been stealing books from thi
library for the past two Years. You
apartments must he searched (the oil
man turned paler still, and the proof
against you will soon, fenr, be clea
and convincing. These two honest boys