The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-12-23


had provided money for. For instance,
the grocer from whom he had lifted"
oranges had sold out to another man,
and Johnny was obliged to hunt him up.
He was at last found, poor and ill, and
the boy without moments hesitation
confessed the theft and produced the
money. II guess l can make it thirty
cents" he said, land that'll be a little
interest. If wouldn't like to give you
five dollars, then you may shoot me for q
crow"
The ex-grocer was so surprised at
Johnnys confession and subsequent
generosity that he shook the boys hand
heartily and invited him to stop in again
soon, which the lad promised as heartily
to do.
By nightfall these "bacll debts as
johnny naively called them, were all
settled, and then, after scanty meal,
the boy started out with his evening
papers. About a quarter to eight he
had sold out, and then, as fast us his feet
would carry him, he hurried to the
neighborhood of the Academy of Music
to watch the people go into the building.
1t was opera night. and this was one OF
Johnny's greatest pleasures; and SO, with
his back to lamp-post, he gave himself
up to the delight of watching the gay
| throng. Johnny wondered what it
would be like to drive around in luxuri-
GUS carriages and have plenty of money
to spend on fine clothes. He thought of
the bread and herring he had eaten for
his supper, and tried to imagine what it
would be like to have turkey and cram
berry sauce every day. Every Christ
mas Johnny had turkey and cranberry
sauce for his dinner, and he knew from
experience how nice they were. He had
once ridden in an ambulance with a
friend of his-a newsboy-who had
been run over by an express
wagon, and this was the nearest
approach to carriage ride that
Johnny had ever enjoyed. He Won
dered, as he watched these happy, gaily
dressed people, why it was that some
people had all they wanted, while 9th
ers were cold and hungry and some
times starved to death. This was not the
first time that Johnny had been per-
picked with such thoughts, but they had
never made him feel quite so uncomfort-
able as on this occasion. He called to
mind the warm underclothing and tidy
jacket and pants which Miss Lee had
given him that day, and tried to comfort
himself with the thought that there was
one person in the world who cared for
him.
There had been a heavy fall of snow
that day, and as Johnny, still absorbed
with his thoughts, started to cross the
street, he saw something sparkle in the
snow at the side of the crossing. There
L. L 4. e 60,
had not been able to pull up to the curb.
As he picked it up he saw that it was an
ornament in the shape of a cross and
studded with diamonds.
Johnny knew they were "shiners," as
he called them, as soon as he looked at
them, so with his heart in
his throat he tucked the precious
jewel into his pocket, still hold
ing it firmly in his hand. Johnnys am
bition had been to start coffee and cake
establishment where newsboys could be
entertained at low rates. For more than
a year he had nursed this project, and
here was chance to carry it into execu-
ton. There were nine stones in the
cross. Disposing of one at time, so as
to avoid suspicion, there was money
enough to last MIN for years and years"
he told himself 1t puzzled him TO
know where he could keep the sinners,
for there wasn't sonl among his ac-
quaintances whom he dare trust with the
secret Not until he crept into his pow
erty-stricken bed, with his treasure care
fully hidden among the straw. did the
thought occur that he ought to try to
find an owner for it. Then followed
hard battle between the natural honesty
of the lad and his very natural desire for
creature comforts. The person who could
wear gold thing like that, ''chock full
of sinners" he said to himself, must
have money enough ty buy more
shienrs." Here he was, cold and hungry
half the time, with no prospect before
him but to be always hungry, if not al
ways cold; and here were these sinners,
which would set him up in business and
give him chance to help the boys.
Johnny honestly wanted to help the
boys. Why should he find the owner of
this cross when he had nothing and the
owner everything? This fight continued
until it was time for the lad to start out
for his morning papers. All through
the business part of the forenoon the bat
tie still ragged, and the newsboy's
thoughts were so occupied with his new
found riches that he almost forgot to at
tend to his customers. At about ten, as
he crossed City Hall Park, he noticed
gentleman in earnest conversation with
another gentleman, as he passed he heard
the words diamond cross spoken. Johnny
slackened his pace and listened.
"rhe diamonds were all Of the first