River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-06-13
THE GUTTERSNIPE.


passed Stewards store when l mt my
friend, Henry Godkind, the rector. He
gave me searching glance.
Il have letter for YOU" said to him.
" was on my way to your house.
The rector tremo!ed. His fingers
reached eagerly toward the letter. He
opened it, gave profound sigh, and
pressed his hand to his heart.
THANK you, Frank" he said to me.
"y you have lifted weight from MY life.
| can say no more now. Come and see
me this evening"
With these words he turned from me
and entered the store.
The rector was smoking, and as he
reached the door he threw the stup OF the
cigar into the street.
A little musician and newsboy marked
in. fallingstar. The one dropped his fiddle,
the other his papers, and sprang forward
| to seize it. The fiddler though smaller,
was more agile than his rival and carried
away the prize.
AT this moment / noticed a little girl
seated on the lower step ola stage that
was rafting towards US. AS came OPP
posite me, policeman's whistle attracted
the attention of the driver. That worthy,
with master manmuvre, drew the stage
door tight, whipped up his horses, and
then let loose the strap.
The little girl was exhausted and oft
her guard. As the door flew open it
struck her on the head and knocked her
off the step into the street As she fell her
hand opened and half dozen pennies
scattered over the pavement.
The child said nothing, but rose quick
ly. and, with frightened look, began
searching after the pennies. One OF them
had fallen into the sewer; another had
struck the foot of the newsboy, who had
at once stopped down, picked it up and
run away. She could only find two of
them these she held in her hand, survey
ed with look of mingled love and grief
| then. without word, sat down on the
curbstone and began to cry.
The musician stopped smoking and
walked slowly to where the girl was
seated.
"What is your manner" he asked with
the voice of a protector.
"They call me Bug but that amt
my name
aWeH. don't cry, Bug" and the boy
stopped smoking and carefully put the
cigar stump in his pocket.
Don't cry, Bug. Be man."
They will beat me if 1 don't b ing
home ten pennies" she said" and its
afternoon
The boy slowly thrust his hand into
his pocket. He looked very serious
There was profound struggle going on
in his mind. At lenth he drew out his
hand
eHere are six pennies, Bug"
The little earthfarer did not smile
one would as soon have expected mole
to smile blu. she gave wrinkle. 1t was
clear this was the supreme moment of her
life.
.'But they'll beat you," she said. The
dream Of happiness was too sweet to last.
don't be afraid. kick, do" said
the boy proudly.
The girl said nothing. Pleasure was
unnatural to her. She had forgotten her
self few minutes. The cares of life and
business again claimed her, and she turn
ed to go away.
"Good-by, Bug" said the boy, looking
kindly at her and taking up his fiddle.
| looked at the manikins and gave
heartfelt sigh. "Poor little mud urchins,
/ thought, sdo not the tears of angels
wash you cleang"
As thus relegated to higher order
of beings, somewhat arduous task,
was aware of man approaching me.
This man was of sober guise, and to
practised eve evidently belonged to the
pcnumbral classes. A divinity student, a
politician, temperance lecturer, gam
bier. or detective-one of these profess
sions had the honor of his membership.
Behind the penumbra walked the per-
Feet shadow, negro, who at sight OF me
turned pale.
"How do you do nr. Hoag9" ! said
pleasantly to the penumbra.
"How do you do, Hazletts" returned
the new conner. I'm glad to see you
away from your books. Why sit mopiRg
over your studies? My young friend, do
YOU want to know two maxims that are
worth more than all the classics I'll
tell you them. Never do your business
between more than four eyes, including
your own. The second is like unto 1t:
Never write a letter. All the wisdom
in the world lies in those two laws. All
men are On the make. viii you not come
with me and have drinkf'
mo, thanks, ! replied.
"Well wait here till L come Lack. l
want YOU to 60 to the Park with ne"
Az Mr.. Hoag started to ind what IN
New York rarely requires distant search
A barroom. he turned his head "Re-
member, Hazlert, never pass by blind
man without giving him something"
Having again attached himself to hu-
manitv by this golden thread, he left me
standing alone.
Mr.. Hoag was fellow boarder of mine
in the respectable house Of Madame
FREIGHT in East Broadway. | had taken
a great fancy to him from the first, and
he though naturally reserved, soon yield
ed to nv persistence. He was man OF
the world, quiet and observant; his
conversation was always interesting, and,
when the dew was on him, Powered into
many quaint and piquant stories.
After few weeks always had a pipe
and armchair ready for him, and he made
II his habit to drop into my room 10
smoke before he went 70 bed.
Now. Mr. Hoag I'D among other lux
ur1es a negro servant named Parish, who
had a deep reverence for his master.
I myself came to employ this negro In
odd Jobs, and after few presents and a
little kindly interest Parish transferred
some Of his devotion to me.
aParish, said to him one afternoon
as he was making a fire in my room, |
AParish, You love your master very |
much2''
ssYes. sah = he replied with fervor.
sWhat makes You love him SOL I
asked III tone of kiHd inquiry.
He gives me all the tobacco and
whisky that want, he answered.
Parish had been slave, and bis answer |