, 1880-02-09

In the Joy ana peace Oh Idlrer worio
He'll let US begin again.
+. G. Goes With Jack. the NewsbOy.
81 WONDER IF LII BE PAPERS OR
BOOTS UP THERE y
All day long the rain had poured or
drizzled, and night had closed in the
murky day with fog and and a mist,
which made the street lamps appear
dim and sickly. The City Hall bell
had tolled 6 half an hour since, and
Jefferson avenue had gone home to the
bosom of its family, closing its large
wholesale houses, and leaving the great
thoroughfare gloomy, quiet and de-
serted; quiet save for the rumbling
street cars and numbering drays and
heavy carts, and deserted by all except
an occasional pedestrian, the police and
the watchmen who haunt the doors of
the wholesale institutions. Griswold
street-Detroit's Wall street-had gone
home, too, and the Offices which erst-
while had hummed with life were dark
and deserted, except in one or two in
stances where some young attorney,
unmindful OF the hour, was still poring
over reports and trying to unravei a
knotty point in new case.
Town Gossip was picking his way
through the water pools over Larned
street crosswalk, wher the familiar
cry, Even ming pay -pur," smote his
ear.
"Paper, sir It's my last. Won't
you take it, sir? Then I'll be sold
out"
I let my umbrella slide down to my
shoulder as I paid for the paper and
stuck it in my pocket. The boy uttered
a "thank you" and ran across the
street, stopping under the yellow gas
light to count his money. I saw that
he was miserably clad and that his bare
feet protruded from his worn out shoes.
Then, on looking sharply at his face,
I remembered that knew him. He
was a boy that L. G.. was wont to
wait for in front of the Exchange every
day of the dusty summer after dinner.
He was q better g sinner than the
other fellows, and T. G. liked his frank
face and ready answers.
make to-day?" 1 asked as I overlook
him.
"Only thirty cents, SIR
"And how much do you usually
make?"
81 most allus get eighty or ninety
cents countin' papers and boots, and
sometimes as much as ten shillin's."
"Do you remember me, Jack ?"
You bet do. Oh, last summer I
used to make as high as dollar an
half some days. But blackin' boots
don't pay this weather."
81 remember you had brother
older than you; how much does he
make ?"
ooh, he hain't made nothin' for
three months, sir; he's sick"
rs he very sick, Jack ?"
Yes, sir; and that's why I'm a
hurryin' to get home. Mother said this
noon as how the doctor said that Jim
couldn't live very long"
Where is your home, Jack p
"Down on the Heights ,"
The answer staggered me little un
til I recollected that the police have
lately given the vicinity of Fort street
east the name of 1.-The Heights" in
contra1istinction to the Poto mac quar-
ter, which they call "Tne Flats y
hence Jacks down On the Heights. -
7. G. resolved to go home with the
newsboy.
" Is it far, Jack ?"
"'Bout ten blocks. Why, was you
goin' with. .me?'
81 think so. You are not sorry are
you?' asked, as the boy dropped his
head.
''No, sir; but mother"
Well, what about your mother ?"
"She don't like to have strangers
come there-the place looks so bad
since Jim has been sick; she's had to
sit close by him FIR two or three
weeks"
" Has your mother an7 money q /
No, sir; We get along on what I !
earn?"
"Why have you not applied to the
Superintendent of the Poor %
"'Cos mother wouldn't let me. Shed
starve first"
T. G. saw picture of woman's pride
struggling with poverty and want.