The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-05-14

may black my boots, and III give you a
book, ard also fifty cents. You'll obige
me, and I'll obige yon, and wen be firm
friends. Ha, ha, ha y
And the old gentleman patted Toms
back, and gently pushed him toward the
door, But don't say any thing about
this and don faa to carry the book to
the proper place. Promise to be care
| full - and the gentleman smiled.
And Tom, whose head was fun of ideas,
readily replied, "I'I 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 Regan, another boot
black, had contrived to make q bed of
hay and shavings, that kept them quite
comfortable when the weather was not
severe.
| lodger curled into their queer kennel for
the night, than Tom told Patsey his adj
venture, but without exposing his em-
ployer's name.
tsThe ould villain II exclaimed Patsey,
| getting up on his elbow.
| That was pretty nearly what Tom
thought.
seHe's maxim cats paw of ye. He's
! stain the buks, and that's way he has
of gettin' 'em home. He don't have 'em
| bound That's all blarney."
But he's the President" said Tom.
stThe PRESIDENT o botheri He's q
clark, or somethin'. To think ov him
callin' poor by from the strate, and
maxim him run the risk Ye might be
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.
/ ssAnd what would you do?'' asked
Tom.
the first policeman. But Tom was
longer-headed. He knew that he must
have more certain evidence of the old
gentleman's dishonesty than he could
show yet. The two boys talked over the
matter, and finally agreed upon line of
action.
1 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.
Il He patted Tom on the shoulder again.
and at 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.
I "Carry it just where you did the other
one, my boy, " said he, and then he gave
him some more money and dismissed
! him with a compliment for his faithful
ness.
AS Tom passed out of the door. he
made sign to Patsey, who by agreement
was sitting on a step not far off. and Pat
sey nodded little, but did not move.
At half past four Patsey did move, fol
he saw the old gentleman whom Ton
had described come out of the ibrar,
alone. He followed him. That nighi
the two boys met again in the old boiler
Guess we've got him, y said Tom.
l ssYe're right" said Patsey. ss]
| waited fur him two hours. and then h,
come out and wint to the place where v,
. was tould to lave the book. And I seeS
him cut ag'in with the book under hi
arrum, and he wint sthraight home. car
/, ryin' 1.-THE ould foxl''
, Pleased with their success thus far
the boys laid their plans for tomorrow
. and fell asleep. Tomorrow came, an.
. In the afternoon Tom again repaired t
the library with his boot-blacking box
l The old gentleman appeared, smiling
!, but In something more Of hurry thai
usual.
Here you are" said he. Here
: the little polisher. Never mind th
= boots now, but here's the fifty cents. an,
here's the book. Take it 10 the sam
place, and mind and say nothing abou
I I he put the book in Toms box exactl
8 8 as he had done on the day before.
And how is business to-day, lad ~
IN Joking tone. How is young Hon
n 0a$u
2 day, eha Ha, hal See him blush -
t You are the one who ought t
8 blush, sir, said dignifed voice fror
behind. 'N->'s : =
r Pale as ashes, the terrified old ma,
g turned and saw the chief librarian an
}. a policeman enter from o side-room
J. while Patsey Regan, grinning brougl
1t up the rear
n "sir," said the librarian, bendin
= upon the culprit look of severity. seyo
u have been detected in fragrant thief
and We now believe you to be the perso
% who has been stealing books from thj
library Tor the past two years. You
q apartments must be searched (the ol
8 man turned paler stiIl), andy the PROC
:, against you win soon, / fear. be cles
a and convincing. These two honest boy
le one OF whom you endeayored to NAL
% your tool, have had the wit to catch 70,
eAAASA oAAOy S44RAA O0 T0WafQ60 as tklGY d
u serve. Policeman. take him into Gu
3. tody."
There was no appeal. The old ms
st Mept and begged for forgiveness, but Il
Librarian was inexorable Both To
g. and Patsey felt uncomfortable. but Il
=, librarian reassured them.
x You have done well, . said he. .sYc
N have been true and faithful to what W
n right, and You deserve praise, too, f
ID the shrewdness of your management
t, Come, with me;o and so saving, be L
IN them out of the hall. The old man W
to taken away by the officer; but on q
n count OF his age, and his past servic
o, as assistant hbrarian-which Office
bit had held in the hbrary--he was nev
9, tried, though. of course, he WAS made
1t restore all the books he had stolen.
OF Tom and Patsey were led into {
library, and were not only rewarded +
d. what they had done, but found also
the librarian warm counselor and tr
friend Youths GoDspGnSon.
We -
1t. Spring.