South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-05-28
A BRAVE REvENGE.

4
that dirty boy to get OF the stoop at
once
John Thomas. the liveried footman,
who was arranging the mats in an Gle
giant coupe before the door. at ono,
moved toward the boy in obedience to
his lovely mistress command.
But the boy. evidently boo: black
spared him the trouble b. rising at once
and walking slowly away.
lie vas poor, emaciated, forlorn-
looking fellow, with his clothes hang ling
about him in tatters, and his bare toes
pceping through the wide cracks in his
i'll mated shoes. but he had rs much
pride in his humble way as tho fair lady
at the platc-glass window had in hers,
and there was an unmistakable look o T
wounded dignity on his begrimcd face
rs he turned for an instant in the di-
rection 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 TO the sill.
But having reached the ne xt pavement
beyond, he paused and again turned
his eyes to the lady's face.
Size was extremely beautiful, remind
ing him of one of the bright prints he
had been wont to admire at u downtown
booksellers, and for some moments he
Toasted his eyes on the charming pic
ture before him.
"A cat may look at king was his
inward comment, and leaning against q
neighboring lamp-post, lie watched un-
I'll she descended the broad stoop, Gu
tered the carriage and was driven away.
Then. with sigh and shiver. for it was
cold, windy morning, he slowly shut
fed away.
1t was some years ago, before boys
lodging. houses or other hospitable re-
treats we're thought OF. and like many
other boot.black and newsboys Of the
period, when without means. he was
compelled to find food and shelter as
best he could.
On this morning he had arisen with
empty hogshead. where lie had managed
TO pass the night. and after taking q
long look at the rolls and coffee he could
not buy, had wandered, he scarcely
knew how or why, into tue present arts
tocratic locality.
Hungry, tired aud cold. he scarcely
had the spirit to look about for another
job; but midway down the block he es-
pied two gentlemen engaged in CONVEX
| sation, and with an effort he Quickened
his steps toward them.
Have shine, sirf' he asked, glanc.
ing up at the older OF the two, q stout
old gentleman, faultlcssly dressed and
carrying n gold headed cane.
But a cool Clear out = accompanied
with wave OF the gold crested stick,
was the only reply.
Those young rascals ought TO he sup.
pressed by the police as nuisance he
heard him remark TO his companion as
he turned away.
Al another time he would have return
ed the OLD gentlemsn's opinion with
sarcasm as cutting as his own, but now
he was quite too discouraged and mis-
cradle to reply, and sitting down this
time on the curb-stone, gavo himself up
to his own dismal thoughts.
Might have know'd betteI'n tor come
over hofe among the swells, anyway
was his inward comment, bat it went 40
further, FOR he was now accosted by
rs country man, who. in his home spun
rig, looked fully as out o: place OH the
avenue as the boot-blAcl himself.
That's a boot-black' arrangement,
amt ity' said the man, nodJing at tic
box and brush
The boy nodded In return.
well, then, bub, you up and gloss my
shocs, will your
This. bub was only too glad TO do,
faint smile fitting over his face the
\ while.
| In a few minutes the 'cowhidcs' we're,
"a the owner declared, 'ali right and
surveying them complaccntly. lie FUN
blod into the depths Of his great Goa,
pockets for the change.
You're what they call a professional
boot black, hAin't your
'Zactly.'
Then, by Jimmy Yer poor speci.
men nv the craft look as though you
hadn't tasted COW flesh la a month
Yer right there, boss no more
have
Thought So was tho rejoinder. and
here's tilteen ceuts fur 10 by yer break
fusi'
You arc bully cove, was the boys
reply as he pOcketed The money when
you come this way agin III shire you
up for nothing
Fifteen cents at such a time was as
good as n fortune. and away spo tho
boy TO purchase a breakfast.
There Is nothing which reflects go di-
rectly on the entire system as a cool
breakfast. particularly when there Is a
strong northeastern wind sending its
icy breath 20 the very marrow Of ones
I bones.
And so the knight Of the blacking
brush found 10 on that chill November
morning. all bis former spirits retaining
as the last morscl went rsvenOusly down
his throat
With q bOuad be was OF down the
street, and was soon. as luck would
have u. turning in tho pennies As fast