South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-08-08
FOR THE LITTLE FOLKS.
HOW TIM BECAME a FARMER.

shine your boots? Five cents q
shine. Shine yer booss2"
Tim bal tried his best TO get work.
but no one wanted his boots c,eaned.-
lie wondered why it was. When motL.
or was alive, how often Tim had begged
her 10 let him set mp rs a bootblack -
They make lots o. money, mother" lac
would say. But she always shook her
head and said. Keep on at school as
long as you can; you're too Young vet.
As long "a I'm spared don't want YOU
to try it,"
But the poor, hard working woman
had overtaxed her strength, taken fe.
yer. and died. Then Tim, left alone in
the world, with nothing but couple OF
neat but much.mended suits OF clothes
and five dollars, resolved to set up as n
boot-black. For whole week he had
tried it. Some days he got two or three
customers, but now for two DAYS not
one person had let him shine lis boots.
His five dollars were almost gone what
should he do? Tim was almost desper.
ate. and in his desire for job asked a
lady who was passing if he could slime
her boots. Perhaps she had little bows
OF her own. and male il u rule never 10
pass poor boy without kind word,
FOR their sakes. At any rate, she stop.
pei and aid, mot here. my boy; hut
If you will wall. ways with me, I'll let
YOU clean them. for they are very mud
dy. Perhaps, though, you will lose
sotne work ry ieaving Jour placer"
No, indeed; I've not had chance
to-day"
That's bad" said his new friend. "if
you need the money very much, as
suppose you do. But you look 80 neat
and nice, thinl. you have cool moth
en-"
Tim tried TO answer, hut his throat
swcled and tears G!lei his eyes.
There the;c! Don't fret, lear;
here's the house. Wait at tie area and
the cook will let you in" Soon pleas.
antfaced WOMAN opened the lower i 20.
and told Tim to sit down by the kitch-
en- fire. The Kitchen was fall OF Tie
oder Of soup, and you know how that
vii. make you hungry even long before
dirhct-time. Thu, who had had no SOUP
since his mother had last cooked their
dinner. stuffed tie air and remembered
sadly how good his mothers soup used
to taste.
Mary" called n voice that already
sounded familiar, give the boy bowl
OF soup. ] can't come down a. once
bnt here are the shoes he can clean
them after he has eaten. Put plenty OF
bread in his soup, Mary"
"Shurc, ! was just longing T., 10 IT,"
muttcTed the girl, Fastening to ill a
bowl for Tim. "ilere :" she said. draw
up 10 the taJle and eat"
Tim was too hungry to remember his
Glotbers instructions as TO washing His
hands, but he did not forget 10 b,w Ills
lead, saying the grace he had said at
every meal since he first began ~ speak
81 thank Thee, dear ! ord. for This nice
fool and help US to he thy good chill
dren, for Chriscs sake"
Mary stood still in astonishment.-
"Thacs the Grst grace in this kitchen"
she said TO herself, "huL I'm bound il
sban't be the last. I've been rorgetful
creature"
Tho soup finished, Tim polished the
shoes; ouch nice buttoned boots lac had
never handled before. Just as he was
giving a last touch 10 them be heard
so'oc one come IN. anil saw The lady who
had brought him standing talking to
Mary.
Thank yor they are very nicely
done. Bul IL Won get only one custom.
or day, you'll not get on we'll. Who
takes care Of you, my boy Try tc tell
me about Yourself Whist is your hamc?"
MY names Tim Titus. ma'am. No.
body takes care OF ine-nohndy hut Col.
Mother said He'd never forget me. -
MoLLer-iGJther died-last-"
But he could not tell OF that. Tho
lady's hand was on his shoulder. and she
was drying his tears with her own hand.
kercbief I've tried boot.b!acking. but
! don't think | car get enough TO do
On, ma'am-' and the boy again broke
down. lie was 50 neat and clean that
Mrs. Denny drew him close to her. sootb. /.
ing him as every mother knows now to
so0the aud comfort. But her heart was
troubled for him. Truth 20 tell. sbe
had no money 20 spare, AID could do
bus Htile. Size had only lately moved
TO the city, and hal few friends there
what could she 10 70 help him?
Suddenly, Mary, who had been look. /
ing on, full OF sympathy, and remem-
Oering their country life and the plenty