Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-17
Misfellaueous.
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"SiIlNE YOUR BOOTS, SlR!"


but little unsteady. The man glanced p
down under the brim OF an old fet hat
that had once been white, and soft pair
of large eyes looked up into his.
"Shine your boots, sir?''
The man shook his head as he uttered d
brief No." and passed on.
But the tender face and soft, asking eyes
haunted him. After walking on for half
block, trying to forget the lace and eyes
OF The boy, he stopped, turned and went
back, he hardly knew why 41 GN
"Shne your boots, sir 1T was the
same innocent voice. but little firmer in
tone. lie looked down at the bare feet
and worn clothes, and a feeling of pity
touched his heart -'
mot this morning, my lad," answered r
the man. but here is the price of shine -
and reached him ten censt. ~. -,
"tave not come to that yet," And the
lad drew himself up a little proudly. "I
am not beggar, but boot-black. Just
let me shine them, sir. Won't keep you
minute"
There was no resisting this appeal. so
the man placed his boot on the bows
foot-rest, and in little while its surface
was like polished ebony. .s9tf b.
Thank you " said the little fellow, as,
on finishing the second boot he received
his fee. EiiAt @
The man walked away, holding In his
mind very distinctly an image of the boy
that did not fade.
The next morning. while on his way to
business, he was greeted by the same lad
with "Shine your boots, sirP" and in q
voice steadier than that an the day be-
fore. The little boot-black was gaining
confidence in his new calling. 9laog7
The man stopped, placed his boot on the
boot-rest. and the boy set bis brushes to
work in the liveliest way.
Where do you live my little man p''i
The boy brushed on, seeming not to have
heard As he finished one boot, and was
about commencing the other. the man said
changing the form of his question: ,.l......
"Where is your home P''
Haven't got any" As the boy said
this he looked up into the mans face for
an instant, and then let his eyes fall upon
his work.
mo homer"
"No sirn tGN FsE st
where do you sleepp" taaz
Most anywhere that can creep in y res, ID
piled the boy, as he brushed away with all
his might. Then as he rose up, he said,
with business air. na9ii'u
THAT is a good shine STRIP hi elf'
First rate, answered the man, whose
interest in the boy was increasing. 1T
cannot be beat. And now what is the
charger" -. 81
Ten cents sir" -r.At3t'
The ten cents were paid "Sleep al "a
most anywhere that you can creep in ?"
said the man. What do you mean P"
Oil 10
bed IN cellar, and sometimes in garret,
just as it happens" i sE. .aoi.'u
''Do you pay for itp" -.. Z .....
80 yes indeed. They will not let you
sleep for nothing
"How much do you pay for bed P"
"Sixpence or shilling, according to
where il is" Id
why don't you stay in one place 2
Why do you go from cellar to garret ?"
because. sir, they get drunk and fight,
and swear so almost everywhere | get In
that | do not care to go again; and so /
keep moving around. "Shine your boots,
sir P''
And. seeing customer, off the boy ran,
Tor he had his living to earn, and could not
stop TO Talk when there was business to do.
The man walked away more Interested
tender an age fighting the battle of life.
A few hours later in the day--t was
midsummer and the air was hot and sultry
as this man was passing the corner of q
street where an apple-woman had her stand
he witnessed scene that we will describe.
The apple-woman had fallen asleep.
Two boys, newsboy and the little boot
black just mentioned. were at the stand.
The newsboy. who was larger and stouter
than the boot-black, seeing chance to
get apples without paying for them, was
seizing two or three of the largest. when
the little boot-black pushed bravely in,
and the man heard him say: 20 ~
THAT is stealing. and can't be done.'
The newsboy grew red with anger as he
turned tiercely upon the little fellow, rais-
ing his fist to strike him; but his well
aimed blow did not reach the soft, vet
bravely indignant face, tor an arm stronger
than his caught the descending fist and
held it for an instant with firm grip. In
the next moment the scared newsboy had
broken away, and was scampering down
the street as fast as his legs could carry
him. as..o.'ss
THAT was well done, my little rellow!"
exclaimed the man, turning to the Young
boot-black. "And now" he added, ..you
must come to my store" fes
Where is it. sirP" asked the boy. d
mot far away. Come," said the man,
as he moved on !; and the boy followed.
They walked distance of two or three
blocks, and then entered store, the man
moving along through bales and boxes
until he reached a counting-room, at the
rear end. Laying off his hat he took
chair, turning to the lad. who now stood
before him with curious, wondering
face-his foot rest, containing brushes and
blacking, slung across his shoulders. 49,.
tCoNeLUDED TOMORROW. a,.