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

Toms Adventure.
One dismal afternoon, late in the fall, |
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
aripped with changeless patter, patter,
that to the boy with nothing to desI
seemed likely to keep ON forever.
1t had ralned steadily for three days.
and IN all that tune Tom, the ot-black,
had not had a single stshine." 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 eloomy.
He was beginning to think where he
could get broom to sweep the crossings
with. As he moved slowly along, rC-
voly1ng thus and other plans in his mind
to earn q 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.
's Shine, sir 70 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 in a 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
&c You're an honest boy, think"
1 Tom twisted his cap, and looked down
to the little box of 4' tools !" in his left
hand, and did not reply
can always tell an honest boy when
see one" continued the other. Gan
honest boy is shy, and he doesn't saw
much. Yes, you're honest, I think.
Here, here's something for you, and he
held out fifty cents.
Tom seized it eagerly. .sThankee.
sur said he, and thrust the money into
his pocket.
'tRighti 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.
4 stEh blushing2 Well, well, there's
anether sign For one to be trusted
anywhere, give me boy that bushes.
A boy that doesn't blush most likely is a
rascal" Tom got redder.
He's queer old peep" thought he.
/ s'Now," continued the gentleman, in
q lower voice, styou give my boots q
shine, and while you're at work I'll talk
to you"
And the boy unloaded his brushes and
blacklng, and fell to polishing with a
VIII, at the same time wondering what
hls odd customer intended by all this
hattery and unusual friendliness.
want you to do something fol
me, said the old gentleman, stoopine
down and speaking in the same low tone
81 am President of this Library Associa
ton, and am here in the library iust
now to see to some repairs myself. Ian
very particular about the books, very
particular indeed. am having some O
them bound over again, and want some
body to carry them from here to thu
bookbinder's. I've been looking for /
good, honest boy to do it, and you r,
, just to my liking. I shall want my boot.
: polished every afternoon at O'Clock
and you can come here, and will let yol
. do the biackng, and at the same tim,
give you the book that I wish Won {,
carry to the binders. You can put j
Q right into your box carefully, and it vii
9 go as safe and dry as an express bundle
3 You see ~
1es, sir, said Tom, putting the las
. touches to his customers boot, g see.
I Of course you do. 2 said the gentle
: man, with laugh. You're q bright boy
that's the reason. Now for every bool
lnas youu carry that way, I'll give 20
: Quarter Of dollar, and pay you an
other quarter for the !. shine, II Wi
{ be 1irst-rate bargain for YOU Ia fac,
you can't earn so much anywhere else i
soa little time. It wont be necessary {
E let anybody see you take the books il
deed, think I should be careful not Z
Il were You, because people rnipf
think You had taken them without leave
9 and that would make trouble. Iwouldn
g get you into trouble for anything nt
Z for my hand.
i And the old gentleman shook his heaf
and patted Tom on the shoulder.
When shall I come first, air2
ii : o, well, we can begin now hay
II little book with me this very momen
. just here . door In the lower part {
), the library opened, and the speak.
waited while some person passed tiirouQ
!. the entry Tom thought this sudden {
. lence was singular, and he instinctive]
3 looked up TO his companion with SOM
9 thing like . stare.
Polish little more ON. the mister
there, quoth the old gentleman, in :
altered tone.
As soon as the outer door was lswun
g to, and they were alone again, he Z
z sumed, canaay it IN ysur box her
g 80, with your things, and you can car
Y !, II with the cover down, all snug. Ar
clipping small old leather covered boz
from bis pocket as Tom finished his wo1
e be hastily showed the boy how to pax
e il out of sight.
@ 4. There, that's al right Now, IL you
mo, stop, he reflected. g wont ha,
q you take them to the book -bindery j
le rectly. You take them to that place
Q. and be gave Tom card on which n
written certain number and certa.
J. street.
D & Yes, sir, said Tom, once more.
E And tomorrow come again. and u