New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-25
LITTLE DAN.

| Clear OUT
| Black EN- for FIVE cents,''
| CLEAR out. | cay" and the irate trade s
| man advanced toward the boyish intrude
with threatening gesture. The latter, littl'
| more than an infant in age and stature, re
| treated through the door. but undaunret
| by his ignominiOus expulsion from thu
store. calmly seated himself on his listl,
battered box near the edge of the sidewalk
| and determi1edly accOsted each passer by
with his curt BLACK yer boots!r 1t was
cold February day, and the ground was GOV
cred with snow. The people we're hurryine
| to and fro, each individual mutf1ed to hit
| eyes in warm rsps, yet shivering from the
blasts of the cold, penetrating wind. Hun
| dreds passed ard repaesed, but the per
| sistent bOotblacS received no look, nc
sign, no word. His small, slender form
was so peagerly clad that each breath
garments and battle his naked body in
cold air. The csst-off jacket of some boy
of larger growth performed triple service
Of vest, coat aud Overcoat. A pair of
heavy pantaloons, held at the waist by a
buokled strap, were tucked snugly in % the
legs of capacious boOts-loDg since Iis-
carded by some poor workingmsn, whose
toughened feet even shrank from such ex-
pOsure as the multiplied gaps in the mil
dewed leather made unavoidable. A rudely-
made cloth cap gave its protecting warmth
to the boys head and ears, and ropy-
looking scarf was wound closely about his
throat; his hands had no covering save the
Tapping wristbands of q soiled cotton
shirt, and such free ventilation prevailed
in the torn pockets of his coat, that even
those customary Ravens afforded but little
comfort to his red, fast stiffening fingers
Truly a pitiful object was Little Dan
as he sat there finching, half faint
ing in the biting atmosphere. Yet,
but half the story was told by
bis tattered garments. The pinched and
sunken features, the wisttul look of those
blue eyes. and the weary, dropping attitude
of that attenuated figure needed no Ian.
guage to explain that hunger, as well as
cold, had here most unfortunate victim.
The lad could not have been much over ten
years of age; his face was fair and clear
its expression denOting frank and manly
disposition. For over an hour he sat there
in front of the store from which he had been
so mercilessly driven forth, addressing every
male pedestrian with his short, business
like Interrogation, "Black yer boots! only
five cents He received no responses
not even so much as q brief negative.
Some men who strobe by in warm
''arctics,' looked down carelessly upon the
pucky little fellow, and smiled at the alb
surdity of the idea of stopping ia the street
to have their boots BACKED on such day
Others wondered why the "lazy little
urchin" did not occupy his time in the more
sensible vocation Of selling newspapers:
and the proprietor of the store, happening
to look out of his window, caught sight of
the ragged bootblack, and wondered why
the police did not take care of such vaga.
bonds. At last there came along one young
man more observing than the rest. He
saw that the poor boy was suffering from
cold and hunger, and his heart was touch
cd. Stopping, he said:
well, little fellow, isn't this pretty cold
work for yOn?"
"Kind'r, SIR" responded the boy, as with
pushed forward the box. "Have yer boots
blacked!"
"No, guess not" laughingly replied the
young man. Its iittls too cold to stand
out here"
BLACK EN- quick, SIR" said the urchin,
looking lOngingly up into the eyes of his
long waited for customer.
What is your namew asked the gentle
man, paying no attention to the box which
had been pushed close to his feet.
"Dan, sir"
How long have you been sitting here,
Dapw
bout an hour"
"Why don't you peddle papers! Nobody
wants to have their boots blacked on the
street, such weather as this"
please, sir, le'me! I'll black em for five
,ents-for three cents" persisted Dan, in
,ent on securing job
IN! Why don't you sell papers, You
would make more money" repeated the
gentleman.
II haip't no money to buy papers," re-
,lied the little fellow.
"Oh, that's the trouble, is il, What |
would you do with ten cents if should |
give it to your' pleasantly inquired the |
1oung man.
As he said this he drew off one of his
cloves, unbuttOned his coat, and took out a |
veIl-filled pocketbook.
81 would get something to eat" an
wered Dan. arising to his feet with |
Ilacrlty.
Are you hungry"
"Yes, sir: but 1 don't want nothin' for |
nyself. My mother is sick, and there amt |
lOthin' in the house for herr
THAT is too bad, murmured the philan |
hropic gentleman as he fumbled in his |
pockets for some change; there were moth /
ng but bills in his wallet From one peck
It to another went his hands-little Dams
yes following each melton with hungry |
xpectancy-until the last pocket had
'CCA cOuACuous auU uO CuEE0uCy, uO p0u.
lies could he found. "Well, now 1 am
Orry. my little man"-and q tone of real
egret accompanied the words-"but have
lOthing lees than q five dollar bill"
Little Dams eyes dropped and suspicious
uiver hung for an instant about his lips.
'ut he was not chicken hearted and was no
eggar. The tears that started were forced
ack and the rebelliOus sob was choked
own. With q determined toss of the head,
Q stood erect and answered his departing
riend's kind words-"Am sorry, Dan, but
may see you COMMONWEALTH q simple
Thank you, sir"
For few moments longer little Dan lin
cred on the street, vainly appealing to the
tor some employment. But he
let with nothing but rebuffs and hard
'Ords. Two ladies, attracted by his odd
ppearance, paused to ask him why he did
OF 20 home. II want to earn some money
rst,' he replied; "my mother is sick" The
'dies exchanged significant chances. "Too
ADJ said one to the other, as they walked
way, that children so young should be
lught the tricks of professional beggars,"
DON policeman touched the half frozen
oy on the shoulder and babe him ''mOye
D." and, in obedience to the stern man.
ate. little Dan picked up his box and
EARLY trudged away.
starvation Hospital" the place was COM
only called. 1t was one Of those dilapi-
ated and neglected frame tenements