Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-11-30
MIS- scEIIANEo Gus.
A STORY FOR BOYS,

How P1uchy Little Fellow Obtained York
~ ter. '"' 'on">
'Wsli, my little man, said the merchant.
eomplaoently-hs had just risen from a rlo.
rious good dinner-"What will YOU have
to,day7" N"''
fer you" we =
1t might have been tho pl.assnt blue eyes
that did il, for the man was not accustomed
20 parlsy with such small gentlemen, and
Tommy wasn't seven yet, and email OF his
age at that. There were a few wisp, Of hair
on the edges of the merchants temples. and
looking down en- the appealing face, the man
pulled at them. When he had done tweak.
ing them. he gave the ends of his cravat a
brush, and then his hands Travelled down in
his vest pocket.
"Do some work for me. oh? woll, now,
what sort OF work might your small manship
calculate to be able to psrform7 Why yo.,
can't look over the counter"
"oh, yes 1 can. aud I'm growing please,
growing worry fas.-thsrs! Soc if 1 can't
look over the counter!"
ooppered?"
n.y. your toes; your mother couldn't
Keep you in shoes, if they weren't."
"She cant keep me in shoes, anyhow
sir. and the voice hesitated.
The man took pains to look over tho esuu>
tor 1t was too much for him, he couid not
see the little toes. Then he went all the v,v
around
81 though. I would need microscope,
he said gravely, "but reckon if I get close
enough, can see what you look like"
I'm older than I'm big, SIR" was the
neat rejoinder. Folks say I'm very small of
my age"
"And what might be your age, sir?' rs.
sponded the man with emphasis.
I'm almost ssven," said Tommy. with a
look calculated to impress even six feet nipe.
"Yoa see, my mother hasn't anybody but
me, and this morning saw her CRYING be-
cause she csuldn't find Eve oents in her
pocket book, and she thinks the bey that
took the ashes stole it-and-I-b.yen't-
had-nny-breakfast"
The voice again hesitated aud ta.rs cnua
to the blue eyes.
81 reckon l can help you to broskfast.
my little fellow" said the man. .Thsre'
will that quarter do?"
The boy shook his head. "Mo.her won't
lot me beg, sir" was the simple answer.
"Humph! Where's your father2"
eve never heard Of him after he went
away. He was lost in the steamer City Of
Boston,"
"Ah, you don't say. That's bad. But you
are plueky little fellow, anyhow. Let me
see-and he pondsred, pickering mn his
mouth, locking straight down into the bows
eyes, which wero locking straight ND into
bis. "saunders,' he asked, addressing a
e'srk, who was rolling up aud writing on
parcels. SIS Cash Ne. 4 still siokY"
dead, sir; died last night" was the low
reply.
"Ah, I'm sorry to hear that woll, here.
MIR. Saunders looked up slowIv-tbon r.
put his pen behind his left e.r-then his
glance travelled curieusly from Tommy to
Mr. Towers. -
"oh. l understand" said the latter, "hs
70 small. very small. indeed, but 1 like his
pluck. What did No. get7"
"Throe dollars, sir" said the still aston-
ished clerk
"Put this boy dowa four. There, youur.
ster. give him your name. and run bsne and
tell Jour mother you have got place at 81
awsek. Come back on Mopdly and I'll tell
you what to do. Here Is dollar in advance;
will take it cut of yonr first week. Can you
rsmembery"
"Work, sir-work all the time"
Tommy shot out of that shop. If ever
broken staira with twist through the whole
fight. cracked and tremblsd with the weight
of small boy. or perhaps. as might be BET,
ter stated. laughed snd chucklsd on account
of n small boys geod luck, those IN thai
tenement. .heuse enjoyed Themselves thsr-
oughly that morning.
''I'vs got it, mother! Tn took! I'm eash
boy! DOME ysu knew. when they take the
parcels. the clerks call .oash7' Well. I'm
that, -Four dollars week, and the man said