Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-12-20
MIscELL!AMEous.
"WANTED-A BOY p
"Sa aANTEp-A ANTI boy to run etr.pd. and

''sSya AN AN. lED-A boy to run errands and
make himself generally useful"
Mr.. Peppergrass came out, with his cap
on the back of his head and his spectaoles
pushed nigh up on his forehead, to wafer
this notice on the side OF his store. And iye
minutes afterwards Git might have been less
or vt might have been more) crowd of eager
little lads assembled around il, standing on
tip toe to read every word
Johnny Jarvis had just been discharged
from his place as cash-boy in dry goods
store, because business was dull and customs
ers few.
BE was 6ue, tall boy Of twelve, with
bright black eyes and laughing mouth, aud
he didn't at all like having nothing to do.
ChariIe Warner wanted a situation because
there were good many little Warmers, and
nothing to feed them with since their father
died
Louis Brown had been out of regular en>
ployment ever since the china factory closed
in the fall.
For these little fellows belonged TO the in.
Vulnerable army of boys who cannot play and
enjoy the bright hours IS thcy go up, bat
must work aud drudge, and count every dsy
lost that does not bring in its corresponding
wages.
Children, did you ever think how hard the
world was on these poor little toi!ers7
1t was not long before Mr. Pepporgrass'
store was full of boys who wanted to "run
errands and make themselves generally use>
full"
Big boys and little boys, tall boys and
short boys and we'll dressed boys and shabby
boys-bnys who leaned up .gaiust the -four
and potato barrels, as if thoy had left their
back bones at home; boys who stood straight
up-boys who took off thoir caps, and bows
who kept them on. And still they kept
soming
=, Hold on" said Mr.. P.pp.rgr..,, ".hi.
So he took down the notice and bolted tho
store door.
'"Now, I will proceed to business" said
Mr PeppergraHs, rumpling up his hair aud
adjusting his spectacles SO as to make his
keen, gray eyes sharper than ever.
A tow penetrating glsnces, half dozen
questions, and the number of boys was speed.
lily reduced to our three little friepds-Jobn>
ny Jarvis, Charlie Warner and Louis Brown.
They were all threo willing and anxious to
work; all three brought good recommends
tions, had honest faces, wanted to enter on
tho situation at once, and wrote neat, round
hand
"Humpb! humph!" said Mr.. Pepper
grass, with his hands looked under his coat
tails behind. ''There's three of you, and
| can't find work for three boys!"
Tho little lads said never = word, bu.
looked eagerly at the grocer, each one hooing
that he might be the boy selected e.to run
erraads and make himself generally useful y.
Nj, Peppergrass stared hard nt the spices
boxes and preserve bottle in the window.
frownipg at the cracker. boxes, and finally
made up: his mind
"Brown ]" said he.
"Sir !" s,id Louis Brown
"l'll try you on few sums. want nv
boy to upderstand the FIRST principles OF
arithmeticl'
>"T am good at figures. cir I" cried Louis.
Are you " said Mr.. Peppergr.ss. "Yery
well. I'll give you trial"
He wrote down labyrinth of figures on
slate. and then opened the door of little
room which communicated with the store.
"Sit down here, Brown, and work on.
these Fums," said he. "I'll come to you in
few minutes"
Johnny Jarvis snd Charlie Warner looked
blnukly at each other, then at tho grocer.
"Please, sir, what are We 10 do 7" said
they:
"You are to watt" said M, Peppergr.ss,
shortly. "Your turns will come 10 duo time
The sums were not especially hard, and
Louis Brown WAS quick at figures. He soon
dispatched his task aud began to look around.
It was stufy. close-smelling little room.
with one window close up to the ceiling. and
curious, old>fashioned bookcase or desk.
With glass doors, lined with faded red silk.
in the corner.
81 do wonder what Mr Peppergr.s. Lesp.
there" said Louis to himself; and sfter he
had wondered little, he got up and yent
softly toward the desk. 'tThe kew il in The
hole, said he; "there can't be any harm in
looking. Perhaps there arc story books-o,
may be curious shells and stones-or-"
As these thoughts crossed his mind. bs
opened the silk lined door. Buz zz-whari
out new beautiful psarl-oolored dove.
Louis stood aghss. In vain were bis an,
deaIors to capture the little creature. IL
huttersd from the top of the book-eas. 10 a
pile OF boxes beyond. and TO the top moIdinr
OF she window, as if ii enjoyed the chase ;
aad in the laidst Of i. all, ia came ar. Pep
pergrsss.
@Ehl wh..f" said h.. "Hov did this
happen 2"
'"Ple.ss. SIR" said Louis. hanging his
head ".he bird got ont, and was trying to
".Got out. did it 2" said Mr. Psppsrgr.ss.
cit must be avery Ingenious bird to be able
to open the desk from the outsidsl You may
J 60, boy. am quite certain that you gUon't