The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-02-05
BELLEVUE, La, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY s. 1885,

This was somewhat disheartening,
but OF course he could not expect snc-
cess at once. He must keep up a stout
heart, so on he walked 1t was fine
clear morning, but the air seemed to
nm heavy with bad odors, and he had
never seen such filth as lay in the streets
before him. The children looked wan
and wlzened and old, the grown people
cross and careworn; but by-and-by the
streets improved: he came to the region
OF shops, where it was somewhat clean
'er, and now every window attracted his
gaze. There was SO much to look at
that he forgot himself until hunger
again attacked him. One window was
most inviting-raw oysters reposing in
their shells, boiled eggs, salad, strings
OF sausages, and juicy array of pies.
He went in and asked the price of a
dinner. "Fifty cents was the reply
of parsonage whose florid counte-
nance and well oiled locks looked unc-
| tious. g4A~@ - 4-@~'s . - I2>
Tom glanced at his purse in corner.
1t was all he possessed, so he turned
away. A little farther on was another
window OF, the same sort, only the pies
looked drier, and the viands staier;
and, as an ornament, fanked by beer
bottles, was queer, dwarfish looking
man, built of empty oyster-shells. He
peered into the shop, and looked so
hungry, that man shouted at him in
manner that was not meant to be un-
kind, but which startled him much:
"Vat for you comes here, hey? Can
you open oyshters? We want some one
to open two or tree hundert; We have
one supper here tonight the 'Bava-
rian Bruders meet. If you can do the
york, you may have Won goot sqvare
meal.' Tom hardly understood the
man, but the gestures aided him, and
putting his bundle down, he set to work
on the cellar steps. Talk of teamwork
being drudgery any more! In the pure,
sweet October air they were gathering
apples for the eider-press to-day. Tom
remembered well what would have been
his portion, as he sat on the dirty cellar
steps and pegged away with the oyster
knife. 1t took him long while to get
the right touch, to clip off the muddy
edge of the shells, to pry into the BIZ
valve without injury to the luscious NOR
sci within, and then to slip it into the
big tin pail Bat shand1 He got a bad cut
in the palm as he did it, but he bound it
up with his handkerchief, finished his
score, and asked ethe man for his dim
ner.
d" You tink l gif you Won plate und
knife und fork und napkin; no, 60 to
work at the oyshters, und here is brod a
blenty.'' SO he had to take his meal as
he could get it on the cellar stairs, but
he slowed away enough. to satisfy him
before he again started on his travels.
The food revived, his dropping spirits,
and he made bold to ask more people
for work. Some shook their heads
without word; some said, "No, my
boy" in kind sort of way that made a
lump come in his throat; others told
him to go to the place assigned to
evil spirits; and others again stared at
him and passed on. This was not very
promising. 1t was now late in the day,
and he was far from the steamboat
landing. He knew nobody, and was
just wondering where he should pass
the night, when a boy, with a box
strung by a leathern strap over his
shoulder jostled him. He was a rough
fellow, about his own age, but there was
twinkle in his eye which emboldened
Tom to speak to him. ~. }iasI
"Do you know where 1 can get any
work to do?''
The boy put his fingers aside of his
nose, winked violently, and made a
grimace, but said nothing.
"I'm in earnest y said Tom. g want
work badly.'' -..a
"Yes, in my eye!" was the response,
regarding Tom more decent apparel.
"Oh, but do. What is your trade?','
"Now see here, feller- citizen, if you've
any idea of comm on my beat, jist
warn ye ye'd better git at once" and he
shook his fist in Toms face to make the
reply more emphatic. ..u I
'sBut have not" said Tom, anx-
iously. ssI only want work of some
sort and decent lodging I'm just from
the country, and don't know soul in
this town besides, I've hurt my hand,
and it pains good DEAL
"Let's see. Pm crack doctor on
all the fellers' cuts. .''s,93 tss
Tom unbound his hand, and the
youthful Esculapius gazed at it with
great interest. ~,
I" That'n knock you up yet," was the
comforting diagnosis, with wise shake
of the head. ssBad place to git a cut.
Jim Jones had one jist in that spot, and
it festered, and hurt him so he had to
go to the hospital"
"Pshawt'.''7 said Tom.
eyed better get yer granny to poul
tice it," q 8 'ftft @ct = %
81 tell you I don't know human be-
ing in this city, and l haven't an idea
where / am going to sleep tonight"
The boy surveyed him doubtfully.
"You might go to the statioH-ho -
"Not if / know it," said Tom, whose
visions of grandeur, though DINNER,
were not to be brought down so low.
"Then there's the Newsboys' Lodg-
ing-house.'' 49,. ...x
aCou1d I get in theree But I don't
know the way
"Come along with me; III show yer
sleep there most o. the time.''
This was, indeed, unforeseen good for
tune, and Tom embraced it heartily