Middletown transcript., 1880-03-13

a BRAVE REV ENGE.

Dbll3l iI'itlt's-s 't''N-
young lady, as she threw up the sash
Of the window at which she was stand
ing, "tell that dirty boy 70 get off the
stoop at once.
John Thomas, the liveried footman,
who was arranging the mats in an ele-
CANT coupe before the door, at once
moved toward the boy in obedience
to his lovely mistress command.
But the boy, evidently a boot black,
spared him the trouble by rising at
once and walking slowly away.
lie was poor, emaciated, torlorn
looking fellow, with his clothes hang
ing about him il tatters, and his bare
toes peeping III ough the wide cracks
in hi ii-mdlcd shoes, but he had as
mach pride in his humble way as the
fair lady at the plate glass window
had in hers, and there was an unmls-
taxable look Of wounded dignity on
His begrimed face as he turned 1t for
an instant in the direction Of the
speaker.
I'll not soil their stoop with my
rags again, he thought, as the clear,
cutting tones ceased, and the window
slid softly down 10 the sill.
But having reached the next pave
menf beyond, he paused and again
turned his eyes to the ladys face.
She was extremely beautiful, re-
n,inding him ofonp afthe BRIGHT prints
he had been wont to admire alta down
town booksellers, and for some mo
men.s he feasted his eyes on the charm
ing picture before him
"A cat may look at king" was his
inward comment, and leaning against
Il neighboring lamp-pust, he watched
until she dcscened the broad stoop,
entered the carriage and was driven
away Then with a sigh and shiver,
tor ii was cold, windy morning, he
slowly shuftied away
1t was some years ago, before the
boys lodging houses or other hospita-
Bic retreats were thought Of, and like
many another boot-bIuck and news
boy Of the period, when without means,
he was compelled 10 find food and
shelter as best he could.
Ga this morning H. had arisen with
aching homes, from the interior Of an
empty hogshead, where he had mana
ged 10 pass the night, and after taking
hong look at the rolls and coffee he
could not buy, had wandered, he
scarcely knew how Or why, into the
present ari~tocrAtic locality
Hungry, tired and cold, he scarcely
had the spirit tD look about for another
job but midway down the block he
cspicd two gentlemen engaged in con
versation, and with an effort he quick
ened his steps toward them
Have Il shine, sir?" he asked,
glancing up 1t the elder Of the two, a
stout Old gentleman, faultIrssly dress
ed and carrying gold-headed cane.
But cool "Clear out Y accompani-
Cd with a wave Of the gold-crusted |
stick was the only reply
"Th' Sc young raScals ought to be
suppressed by the police as a nuisance"
he heard him remark to his compan-
ion as he turned away
At another time be would have re
turned The old gentleman's opinion
with a sarcasm as cutting as his own,
bnt now he was quite too discouraged |
and miserable to reply, and sitting
down this time on the curbStone, gave
himself Up 10 his own dismal thoughts
"Might have knowd hetter'n ter
come over here among the ,welIs any
way," WAS his inward comment, but it .
went no further, for he was now ac-
costed BY big countrymln, who, in
his homeSpun rig looked fully as out
Of place Oh the avenue Il the young
boot black himself
That a boot-blackin' arrangement. /
amt it Z" said the man, nodding at the
box and brush.
The boy nodded il return.
"Well, then, bub, you up and gloss
my shoes, will you 2"
This, buh was only too glad to do,
faint smile fitting over his face the
while.
IN a few minutes the "cowhides'
were, as The owner declared, "au
right, and surveying them compIa-
Gently. he fumhled into the depths of
his great pockets for the change.
You re what they call a perfesshu-
nal boot-black, haint you p
"Zactly."
Then, BY Jimmy Yer a poor spec
linen uv the craft look as though YOU
hadn't tasted COW flesh in month";
Yer right there, boss; no more |
have"
Thought %, was the reioinder,
and here's fifteen cents fur ter buy
your breakfast"
You are a bully cove" was tbe
boys reply as he pocketed the money;
when you come this way agin I'M
shine you up for nothin. -
Fifteen cents at such time was q
good as a tortane. and away sped the
hoy to purchase breakfast.
There is nothing which reflects %
directly on the entire system as a good
breakfast, particularly when there is
a strong northeastern sending its icy
breath to the very marrow Of ones
bones
And 50 the knight Of The bIaekinp.
brush found it on that chill Noyember
morning, all his former spirits return.
ing as the last morsel went ravenousIy
down his throat.
With bound he was off down tho
street, and soon, as luck would have #
turning in the pennies as fast as he
could reasonably desire.
It was near eight o'clock that same
evening, and our young friend stand
ing beneath the light Of street Iamn
was turning over in his mind wbethar.
he had best spend a portion Of III
earnings in theater ticket. or to savo
It for the morrow, when some ono III