The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-04-30
TOMS ADvNETURE.


One dismal afternoon, late in the fall
young boot-black, box in hand, waf
moping gloomily along the sidewalk,
near one of thelnrge 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 seem
ed likely to keep ON forever.
1t had rained steadily for three days,
and in all that time Tom, the boot-black,
had not had single ''shine." Men did
not care to have their boots polished in
szsuch weather,
He spent his last cent yeasterday for
his dinner. Since that he had eaten
nothing, and 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 cross
.ings with. As he moved slowly along,
revolving the other plans in his mind
10 earn his dinner, he came opposite the
great library door, and heard some one
calling him. Heturned and looking up
the broad stone steps, saw grey-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 of his cap and walked in.
He found himself in lofty corridor,
walled with stone, No other person was
there but himself and the man who call
ed him. The man shut the door ant
looked at the boy steadily for moment
and said:
"You're an honest boy, I think"
Tom twisted his cap, and looked dow
to the little box of stools" in his lef
hand, and did not reply.
81 can always tell an honest boy whei
I see one,' continued the other. s'AI
honest boy is shy, and he doesn't sa.
much. Yes, you're honest. ] think
Here, here's something for you, and b,
held out fifty cents,
Tom seized it eagerly. "Thankse, sir!
said he, and thrust the money into hi
pocket.
''Righti An honest boy likes money
Youslike money. Therefore you are a
honest boy dld
The old gentleman chuckled andlook
ed over his glasses. Tom blushed, bu
somehow did accept the logic.
'Ehl blushinga Well, well, there
another sign. For one to be etrusted any
where, give me q boy that bushes.
boy that doesn't blush most likely Is
rascal I. Tom got redder. sae
'sHe's 3 queer old peep" thought h
.'Now," continued the gentleman,
lower voice. ',you give my boots
shine, and while you're at work III tai
to you"
And the boy unloaded his brushes an
blacking, and fell to polishing with
viii, at the same time wondering VIII
his odd cnstomerintsndedby by allthi fla
tery and unusual friendliness.
II want you 70 do sOmethingfor me,
said the old gentleman, STOPPING dow
and speaking In the same low tone. .
am President Of this Library Asaoci
ton, and am here in the library iu
now to sec to some repairs myself. a
very particular about the books, vel
particular indeed. am having son
Of them bound over again, and wa
somebody 10 carry them from hereto Il
bookbinder'a I've been looking for
good honest boy TO do it, and your iu
10 my kking ] shall want my boo
polished every afternoon at 3 o'cloc
aud you can come here, and I viii ]
you do the backing, and at the san
fne give you tllo book that ! wish yC