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


One dismal afternoon, late in the fall.
a young boot-black, box in hand. was
moping gloomily along the sidewalk,
near one of the large library buildings of
New York.
From the sky the heavy clouds were
weeping cold November drizzle. The
walks and pavements were slippery with
wet, and the caves of all the houses
dripped with changeless patter, patter,
that to the boy with nothing to do
seemed likely to keep on forever.
1t had rained steadily for three days,
and i'll all that time Tom the boot-black,
had not had n single "shine" Men did
not care to have their boots polished in
such weather.
He had spent his last cent yesterday
for his dinner. Since that he had eaten
nothing, and 1t was evident that he could
earn no more money till the weather
changed.
Tom had reason enough to feel gloomy.
He was beginning to think where he
could get broom to sweep the crossings
with. AS he moved slowly along, TO-
volving this and other plans in his mind
to earn dinner, he came opposite the
great library door, and heard some one
calling him. He turned, and looking up
the broad stone steps, saw gray-haired
gentleman standing at the entrance of
the library.
"Shine, SIR" exclaimed Tom, and he
darted straight up the steps.
The man smiled, and opened the door
wider. "Come in, my boy" said he,
81 want to speak to you"
Impressed by the kind tone, Tom
dashed off his cap and walked in.
He found himself III lofty corridor,
walled with stone. No other person was
there but himself and the man who called
him. The man shut the door and looked
at the boy steadily for moment, and
said
You're an honest boy, 1 think"
Tom twisted his cap, and looked down
to the little box of &" tools" in his left
hand, and did not reply.
Z" L can always tell an honest boy when
1 see one" continued the other. Gan
honest boy is shy, and he doesn't say
much. Yes, you're honest, think.
Here, here's something for you" and he
held out fifty cents.
Tom seized it eagerly. "Thankee,
SIR said he, and thrust the money into
his pocket.
Fright An honest boy likes money.
You like money. Therefore you are an
honest boy"
The old gentleman chuckled and
looked over his glasses. Tom blushed,
but somehow did accept the logic.
"Eh blushing! Well, well, there's
another sign. For one to be trusted
anywhere, give me a boy that bushes.
A boy that doesn't blush most likely is q
rascal" Tom got redder.
He's queer old peep" thought he.
"Now," continued the gentleman, ii
a lower voice, "you give my boots
shine, and while you're at work I'll tall
to you.
And the boy unloaded his brushes ant
blacking, and fell to polishing with @
will, Mt the same time wondering wha
his odd customer intended by all thi
fiattery and unusual friendliness.
81 want you to do something TO
me-" said the old gentleman, stoopin,
down and speaking in the same low tone
81 am President of this Library Associa
! ton, and / am here in the library jus
now to see to some repairs myself. / an
very particular about the books, yer
particular indeed. / am having some O
them bound over again, and want some
body to carry them from here to tn
bookbinder's. I've been looking for
good, honest boy to do it, and your
Just to my liking. l shall want my boot
polished every afternoon at 3 O'Clock
and you can come here, and will let 20
do the backing, and Mt the same tim
give you the book that L wish you t
carry to the binders. You can put
right into your box carefully, and it wi
go as safe and dry as an express bundle
You see q
Yes, sir" said Tom, putting the La
touches to his customers boot, 81 see.
"Of course you do, said the gent,
man, with laugh. you're bright DO,
that's the reason. Now for every boo
that you'll carry that way, I'll give yc
/ quarter of n dollar, and pay you al
other quarter for the "shine." 1t wi
be first-rate bargain for you. In fac
you can't earn so much anywhere else
so little time. 1t wont be necessary
: let anybody see you take the books i
> deed, think / should be careful not /
: if / were you, because people mig
= think you had taken them without leav
: and that would make trouble. Iwouldr
2 get you into trouble for anything N
e for my hand.
{ And the old gentleman shook his hea
l and patted Tom on the shoulder.
1 "When shall come first, sir Z"
= go, well, we can begin now. 1 ha
;. little book with me this very momer
v i -
y just here door in the lower part
Y the library opened, and the speak
g waited while some person passed throuI
n the entry. Tom thought this sudden
: lence was singular, and he instructive
8 looked up to his companion with son
g thing like a stare.
@ Polish little more on the inste
II there" quoth the old gentleman, in
> altered tone.
IA soon "a the outer door was swu