American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-01-09


men," added Nurse Pippin-
Nobody ever heard of such a thing"
pouted Auntie Meg.
They were talking about naming the
| baby; and if there has ever been a baby
at your house to name you know how
| much talking that takes. But when all
| the other people had spoken, the baby s
mamma repeated what she had first
said.
"He is to be John Boyd, Jr."
"But that is SO commonplace" sighed
Auntie Meg, who wanted the name to be
Lionel Frederick.
"Your argument is not as good as
grandma's 1t might be inconvenient, +"
said baby's mamma.
For you must know that in this family
there we're already three Johns living I'M
der the same roof; John Boyd, ST., who
was baby's papa, John Harlow, who was
baby's uncle, and little John Hathaway,
who was seven years old and baby's half
brother So it did seem rather droll to
add fourth, and you cannot wonder
that Auntie Meg brought in the diction-
airy and read aloud all the names in the
last part, in the hope of softening her
sisters resolution. However, dlctlOn-
aries are of no use when a woman's mind
is made up, and baby was christened
John Boyd. And the name did not prove
so inconvenient after all, for by the time
grandma began to say,
ave must leave off calling that child
Baby
Baby had made a name for himself,
and was accustomed to describe himself
as 'Don Boyd, Dunior," SO presently
everybody fell into Baby's habit and
called the little fellow Don or Denny.
When he had grown so much as to
wear button boots and a sailor suit Don
ny was a square, sturdy urchin, with
brown hair cropped close, brown eyes,
brown little fists, and snub nose
freckled across the bridge. The freckles
were almost as great a trial to Auntie
Meg as his name, but Denny cared not a
penny for them, and frisked out IN all
weathers regardless of consequences.
One day Donny was sent of an Grand.
"And don't care much about going,
neither" he said contidentially to his
mamma 81 feel as if l could get in
tantrum just as easyr'
Il wouldn't to-day" said mamma,
kissing his brown cheek. Here are
five cents to spend for yourself, and
after you have carried the note you may
go and slide on the Common for half an
hour"
In spite of this encouragement Denny
took the note rather gloomily.
"Johnnle don't go of errands. Wish l
sealskin cap, too"
With tn is remark Denny wound him
self up in long, gay-colored scarf which
Auntie Meg had knit for him, pulled his
cap over his forehead, and put the five
cents in his overcoat pocket, then ran
for his sled and departed.
He had deli vered the note and was
trudging toward the Common when
chestnut stand with its little furnace at
tracted him.
Five cents worth and l want some
Denny.
Turning away with the paper bag of
warmth in his hands Denny jostled
against boy very nearly his own size,
who held long basket on his arm.
"Buy some peanuts, won't your or
candy Stick" said the boy, wistfully.
Haven't any more money, don't sup
pose," answered Denny, fishing vainly in
his pockets. ~ like peanuts"
al haven't sold hardly pint this af-
ternoon," said the boy, sadly. Folks
don't buy 'em so well when it's cold"
Denny looked at the thin jacket and
torn hat, the bare red hands and pinched
lips, and shivered little with sympathy.
"'Course didn't mean to fret g if rs
a beggar boy l only wanted a sealskin
cap cause Johnny has one, and l wasn't
ungrateful, neither" said Denny to him
self, answering a little twinge of con-
science hastily Then aloud he said:
"I'm going up to slide, and if l meet
papa I'll ask him for five cents and buy
some. Pm sorry"
So Denny trudged away and was soon
sliding merrily among the little thrOng
of bows on the long slope. Coming down
with a shout and a whirr he saw his small
acquaintance with the basket watching
him from the sidewalk.
81 didn't find him." said Denny, stop
ping to speak. Haven't you sold any
more?"
mo-" said the boy.
"You don't holler out and ask folks
loud enough, maybe, suggested Donny-
Don't you want to slide down once with
mel"
81 darsen't leave my basket" said the
forlorn boy, Frightening little at the
idea nevertheless.
"TIl tell you," cried needless, gen.
thought. II will take your basket and
sell for you while you slide a few
times. Take my scarf, too, the snow
flies into your face So"
The next minute Denny had flung his
pretty scarf about the peanut boys neck,
and was holding out to him the sled
rope 1t was not in boy nature to re-
sist the temptation, and after an instant
hesitation the offer was accepted.
YOU'RE a regular bangor" said the
peanut-boy, admiringly. you'll be sure
and meet me here pretty soon?"
"Of course" said Denny, singing the
basket on his arm, and the new made
friends parted.
1t was funny sight to see Denny in
his new office; he never did anything by
halves, and now, intent only on adding to
the capital of his employer, he plucked
at gentlemen's coattails, presented his
basket in the way of fashionable ladie
marched into shop-doors, and ran against
large boys with reckless earnestness.
Some people bought of him, but more
put him aside or babe him clear out, and
most were too busy to notice that this
little peanut boy wore surprisingly
nice overcoat with a velvet collar, and
showed handsome plaided stockings be-
low his knickerbockers. The few who
did attempt to question him abou: his
costume Denny took leave of at once
| He had no idea of having his fun spoiled
! too early On and on he ran, careless of
time, until he SAW line OF horse cars
waiting for some temporary obstruction