The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1880-03-10
AyBRAVE REVENGE.

Bas - -aaEs&
John lThomas,'' said a beautiful
young lady, as she threw up the sash of
the window at whichlshe was standing,
tell that dirty boy to get off the stoOP
atOnce."
John ThOmasb the diverted footman,
who was arranging the mats inan-ele-
CANT coupe before the door, at once
moved toward the boy in obedience to
his lovely mistress command. -.
But the boy, evidently bOot-black,
spared him the trouble by rising at once
and walking slowly away.
Ge was poor, emaciated, forlorn-
1Ooking fellow, with his clothes hang
ing about him in Iatters, and his bare
toes peeping through the wide cracks in
his ill-mated shoes, but he had as much
pride in his humble way as the fair lady
at the plate glass window had in hers,
and there was an unmistakable look of
wounded dignity on his begrimed face
as he turned it for an instant in the di-
rection Of the speaker. Ea @ -1
"Tu not soil their stOOp with my
rags again" he thought, as the clear,
cutting tones ceased, and the window
slid softly down to the sill.
But having reached the next pave
ment beyond, he paused and again
turned his eyes to the lady's face.
She was extremely beautiful, remind
ing him of one of the bright prints he
had been wont to admire at down
town booksellers, and for some moments
he feasted his eyes on the charming pic
ture before him.
GA cat may look at a king" was his
inward comment, and leaning against a
neighboring lamp-post, he watched un-
til she descended the broad stoop, en-
tered the carriage and was driven away.
Then with a sigh and shiver, for it was
cold, windy morning, he slowly shufiled
away. fS8es@ - -si s,'.- -a.@
It was some years ago, before boys
lodging houses or other hOspitable re-
treats were thought of. and like many
another boOt7black and news-boy of the
period, when without means, he was
compelled to find food and shelter as
bestbe could.
On this morning he had arisen with
aching bones from the interior Of an
empty hogshead, where hehad managed
to pass the night, and after taking
long look at the rolls and coffee he could
not buy, had wandered, he scarcely
cratic locality.
Hungry, tired and cold, he scarcely
had the spirit to look about for another
job; but midway down the block he
espied two gentleInen engaged in con-
versation, and with an effort he quick
ened his steps toward them.
Have a shine, sir?' he asked,
glancing up at the elder of the two,
stout old gentleman, faultlessly dressed
and carrying a gOld-headed cane.
But a cool Clear out!' ACCOMPANIED
with wave Of the gold-crusted stick
was the only reply. -....... ...
Whose young rascals ought to be
suppressed by the police as a nuisance"
he heard him remark to his companion
as he turned away.
At an other time he would have re-
turned the old gentleman's opinion with
a sarcasm as cutting rs his own, but now
he was quite tCO discouraged and miser-
able to reply, and, sitting down this
time on the curbstODe, gave himself up
to his own dismal thoughts.
Might have knOW'd better'n ter
comes over here among the swells any
way,2 was shis inward comment, but 1t
went no further, for he was now aCcOsted
byza-big eouRtFymaR5 NFhe, in his home
spun rs looked fully Is out of place on
the aVenue as the young b0Ot-blaCk him-
self.
"Tnat boot-bIackin' arrangement,
amt it" said the man, nodding at the
box and brush.
The boy nodded ia return.
50 4eiiy tben, bf1l}. you up and gloss
my shoes, will you"
This bub was only too glad to do, a
faint smile fitting over his face the
while.
IN a few minutes the e cowhides" "
were, IS theewBeFdeelared; @ al right"
and surveying them c0mplacently, be
fuDlbled into the depths of his great
pockets for the change.
You're what they call a perfes-
shuual b0ot-black, haunt yoU?"
8 ZaetIy''
=" Then, by Jimmy! Yer a poor
specimen Nv the craft; look as though
yOu hadn't tasted COW flesh in a month
Yer right theIe, boss; no more /
have"
Thought so,o was the reioinder,
"and here's fifteen cents fur ter buy
yoflr breakfast"
HYou are bully cove" was the
boys reply rs he pocketed the money;
"when you come this way agin I'll
shine you up for nothin."
Fifteen cents at saeh time was as
good as a fortune, and away sped the
boy to purchase breakfast.
There is nothing which reflects so di-
rectly on the entire system as good
breakfast particularly when there is a
strong northeastern sending its icy
breath to the very marrow OF ones
bones.
And so the knight of the blacking-
brush found it on that child November
morning, all his former spirits return
ing as the. last naOrsel went ravenously |
down his throat
With a bound he was off down the |
street, and soon, as luck would have it, |
turning in the pennies as fast as he |
could reasonably desire.
%H% It
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