The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-04-19
GhtQmtelIiaetreer:
How Capt. JInks Was aLosed.'

JlNkh Hhu uuu Nel az" vas
boy Of his age; only six all told, and tW'
Of those hccouldnt remember which wa
prima facie evidense that he was no
there (prima iacie means plain as the nos
on YOUR face); 80 the whole family hat
given over arguing with JinkS on tina
Doint Now tho sixth one had come an
zone, and there would not be another 70
ayear. links didn't see why. 1t WASH
like Christmas, or New Years, or Fourtl
Of July. Folks were always hayin
birthdays, summer and winter, Just Whe
they please, for anything he could SEX
links stood by the window, squeakin
his finger up and down the glass, ant
wondering how soon somebody would tel
him TO stop that.
Zone birthday n year isn't much; ant
sides, I wisht didn't choose mine in tn
winter"
People don't choose their birthdays
said Molly"
"Who doesp said links discontentedly
"GOd does" answered Molly, win JUST
very little perk other head. ,,
II she had said the president, "a JinEs
halfexpccted, he was prepared 10 express
his rcbellious sentiments, without rear or
favor; but, as it was, he only scoWled and
scramd he carpet with bis slipper.toe.
just then papa came in, with his hat in
his hand, and stopped down TO kiss his
little boy good.by. no, =,
Papa, couldn't | 60 to tho office with
YOU =? There isn't anything to muse me
here"
"Dear me- said papa, tossing the cap
tain up in his arms; "is this the young
ster that had birthday party, yester-
day?'
II don't care much about birthday
par.ies," said Jinks; and, sides, the more
fun you have you're all the lo'somer the
next day" .'t
And links is always cross, the next
day, whether it's a birthday or candy"
.aid Molly, in very vexatious tone.
Come on, then, said papa, and Jinks
ran out Of his slippers and into his boots,
crushed his cap over his curls, wriggled
into HE funny little ulster oyercoat, and
could scarcely stop. for mamma to kiss
his red checks and slip two cookies into
his pocket.
links always enjoyed himself at the
office; but, that day, he had a particular
IL good time. He crammed his pocket
book with stamps from the waste.basket;
he pasted pictures and posters over the
wood.bOx; he made a famous barricade Of
patent.oilice reports; he ate popcorn
hall, two apples, and pint Of peanuts.
By that time he was tired. lie sat down
on top OF the barricade, and wondered
when his papa would go to lunch. He
wasn't hungry, but he had eaten too
many things, and 80 he fancied he wanted
some more, which is sometimes the case
with people much older than Capt. Jinks.
His papa kept on writing letters until
the box was crowded full. Then he
ierked out his watch, and jumped up so
suddenly that he almost upset his chair.
"See here, Capt. Jinks, | must be at the
fremont House ia ten minutes, TO meet
some gentlemen; but | shall be back in
time TO take you to lunch"
"Papa," called links, "couldn't p
But papa was out of the door already,
and only shouted back to the oilicc-bOy :
"Be sure you get those letters in the mail
and call at the express office"
There was really no help for il; and so
links climbed into the window.seat and
watched the street.cars, because he had
decided to be u car.driver himself, as soon
As he was old enough. He afterward
changed his mind, aud concluded TO have
a hack, because with hack you can
choose your own street and be more indie
pendent. think Jinks was right. shouid
prefer u hack myself. By and by Robert
began to gather up the letters, and Jinks
took down his cap. He liked very much
to 60 to the Office with Robert. "lts u
o'clock, said Robert, "and your fa,her'll
come for you Directly"
He looked at links, and the pope orn-
ball that he had eaten began TO roll up
into his throat. At least, it felt like n
popcorn.ball. "He'll be here inside Of 10
minutes" said Robert, encouragingly;
"and you may take my knife and white.
Ye see, il takes me the best part OF an
hour to git around; and | stop in home
for a bit while I'm down that way"
Poor little links swallowed hard at the
popcorn ball and took the knife; but when
Robert was actually gone, he didn't care
much about whiting. What If he
should cut his finger, and nobody there TO
hear him cry? So he went back TO the
window, and waited and watched. lie
tried 10 count the people, but as he could
only count up to ten, he had to begin over
again very often. All the men in the
world went by except his papa. Jinks
was sure Of that. His papa had forgotten
all about him. Jinks was sure Of that,
too. Away up the street he could see TIE
restaurant where they always went for
lunch. Probably his father was sitting
there now. links was growing indignant
~ know the way, aud I'll go my own
self" And with this brave resolve he
started ont. After all, it would be very
grand to come marching In alone; and at
the thought Jinks thrust his hands into
his oyercoat pockets, and felt on one side
the two cookies, and on the other n ave
cent piece. 1t was the nickel that did the
mischief, for links Immediately resolved
to crafty the one desire Of his heart, ant
shave shine" He caught sight Of {
boot.black down the street, and hurried
after him, without noticing that he passed
the restaurant on his way. thinks Lives
10 be a man, he will never feel proudeI
than when he stood at that street-corner
amid crowd Of grinning boyS,while two
sturdy ragamuflins took Ii by turns TO put
miraculous polish on to the little red
topped boots.
CENTRAL" said one OF the boys, as Jinks
dropped the niekle In his dirty hand
"Give us yer custom reglar."
links walked at least three blocks with
no thought in his noddle but those boots.
How they did shine He hunted into
half dozen people, in bis admiration OF
those glossy little mischiet.makers, that
we're walking him into trouble as fast Al
they could trot. For by and by Jinki
walked up to the fact that he had started
10 find a restaurant, and had surely los
his way. Silly little boots They did
poteyen turn about; buttrottcd on and on
Poor little Capt. Jinks
When Robert came back to the othce
he picked up his knife, swept up the few
little whittlings, and went about hi
work. Some one came upstairs, tw'
steps at a time, pushed open the Oilic'