Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-04-07
WHOLE NO 1901

1
% q iair skin, where you could SEQ
II for the dit, and pretty features. !
never met the little torment but what
| found myself wondering how he
would look dressed 10 Kaickerbookers,
his curly hair carefully combed out,
aud his face thoroughly washed.
Que day he appeared at my window,
crying as usual, lle was yentable
little crocodile | had never spoken 10
nmi but now, obeying sudden I'm.
pulse, had called him in.
what is tho matter with you, my
boy'' ! asked.
lin hungry he said, whimp.
erlng.
Then why don't You buy somo
breadi You've more than ono penny
in your pocket" ! touched tho rag.
ged JACKIE, with the paper'folder
held In my hands, and tho coppers
jingled. lie looked up scared, but,
seeing me smile, took courage.
What is your namei' asked.
Tip toodles,' was bis ycjoinder.
No, but your other name. The
children. ] suppose, call you that
y Jhain't no other name, ho made
reply.
What was your fathers Manu-
4 hain't got no father.
well, is your mothers name
Toodles
No, she's Mattie,' was the answer.
Are you really hungry, Tipi'
'N-not very he stammered.
Whom do you give your money to,
my boyr
4 gives it to my mother, he re-
piled, looking down, while bis childs
face burned.
And do you never spend H.
He shook his head.
Would you like new suit OF
clothes, and dv you mink yVur mvsl''
er would let you 90 10 school 7
I..duuno,' be answered, looking
down, and casting iurtive g)ancss
about the room.
well, Tip, if you will wash your
face nicely l said, i will give y1ua
good breakfast
His eyes frightened as he looked
up. led him to the bathroom, gave
MIN plenty of soap and water, aud
when the child came out I should net
have known him.
Shes a regular beauty spoke
Katy, stealthily, as she set .out some
breakfast for him on the kitchen
table.
After he had eaten all be wauted,
I put on my bonnet and waterproof.
as tho day looked threatening, and
told the boy to lead me to his home
We were soon there, in the very
heart Of crowded, 'misshdpen court,
in the very top room Of a horribly
vile tenement house. There I found
the woman he called his mother.
She was old and haggard. When
We went in she was on her knees try.
ing to blow a few damp chips into y
fame. Some stale bread lay in slices
on the broken hearth, in the midst OF
scattered ashes. I suppose she in.
tended to toast it. The woman her.
self was not bad looking, but her dress
was odiously toul with dirt. There
were only broken char, apsn OF
GOALS, and heap Of rags in the room.
No table. no beds, nothing OF CON-
forts. Even tho windows were
stuffed with paper 10 keep the pure
air out.
4 have brought home your boy, l
said, cheertuly. as the woman arose.
I'm sorry havn't a cheer for ye'
she said, politely; and as for Tip,
why, he amt my boy, you know, OF
course.
But you take care of him.
Laws, no, Miss, he takes care OF ID
himself, and helps me q little BY
tumbling.'
Are his parents living, then, aud
whose child is hef -,
You ask me more nor ! can an
swer, was the reply, as she wiped her
hands on her. ragged gown. Old
Tom Green, him that was tinker,
had him couple o years ; and they
do say hereabouts as how Tip was
stole
Then you don't know as Tip is bis
namei'
Bless ye, Miss, no indeed. That
what we.callS him hereabonts. Hes