Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-05-14
4 Brave Revenge.

John Thomas,' said beautiful young
lady, as she threw up the sash Of the Win
dow at which she was standing, "tcll that
dirty boy to get off tue stoop at once
John Thomas the livericd footman, who
was arranging the mats in an elegant coupe
before the door, at once moved toward the
boy IN obedience to his lovely mistress
command.
But the boy, evidently q boot black,
spared him the trouble by rising at once
and walking slowly away.
He was poor, emaciated, forlorn-
looking fellow, with his clothes hanging
about him in tatters, and his bare toes
peeping through the wide cracks in his ILL
mated shoes, but he had as much pride in
his humble way as the lair lady at the
plate glass window had IN hers and there
was an unmistakable look of wounded
dignity on his bcgrimcd face as he turned
it for an instant in the direction of the
speaker.
''l'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 next pavement
beyond, he paused and again turned his
eyes to the lady's face.
She was extremely beautiful reminding
hlm of one Of the bright prints he had
| been wont to admire at a downtown book
sellers and for some moments he feasted
his eyes on the charming picture before
| him.
"A cat may look at u king, was his in
ward comment, and leaning against a
ncighborlng lamp post, he watched until
she descended the broad stoop, entered the
carriage and was driven away. Then with
a sigh and shlyer, for it was cold, windy
morning, he slowly shutfled away.
1t was some years ago, before boys
lodging houses or other hospitable retreats
were thought Of, and like many another
boot black and news-boy 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 acll-
ing bones from the interior Of an empty
hoyshead, where he had managed to pass
the night, and after taking long look at
the rolls and coffee he could not buy, had
wandered, he scarcely knew how or why,
into the present aristocratic locality.
Hungry, tired and cold, he scarcely haC
the spirit to look about for another job
but midway down the block he espied two
gentlemen engaged in conversation, an(
with an effort he qulckened his steps to
ward them.
"Have shine, sir - ne asked, ganclnI
up at the elder of the two, a stout oil
gentleman faultlessly dressed and carry
ing gold-headed cane.
But cool Clear out '" accompanie
with q wave Of the gold,crusted stick wa
the only reply.
, Those young rascals ought to be SUP
/. pressed by the police as a nuisance b
heard hun remark to bis companion as b
turned away.
: AT another time he would have returne
the old gentleman opinion with sarcasl
as cutting as his own, but now he VS.
quite too discouraged and miserable to r.
ply, anu. sitting down this time on Il
curbstone, gave himself up to his own di
0 ma thoughts.
Might have know 4 better u ter con
0 over here among the swells anyway" W,
}. bis inward comment, but it went
!! further, for he was now accosted by b
u countryinan, who in his home-spun
. looked fully as out Il place on the aven,
K as the young boot black himself.
n That bo, t-blackin' arrangement
q ala'tN:' said the man, nodding at the be
= ami brush.
The boy nod,ied III return.
well. then hub, you up and gloss Il
shoes, viii youi
This bub was only too CAD TO do, fai
!, smile fitting over his face the while.
IL s. few minutes the ''coy~ hides wei
as the owner declared, "all right, q
!, surveying them complacently, he tumbl
ag into The depths Of his great pockets for I
"A change
ID You're villa, they call pcrtes slul
bco,-back, haint ybus''
"Lactly. i
Then by Jluih hy Yer poor spe
men Nv the craft, look as thougl V
hadn't tasted COW h,esh in q month
Yer right there, boss; no more hav,
Though, 50, " was the rejolnd.r. "a
= here 5 fifteen cents fur ter buy Your brc;
ia. fast !"
,st ~ gu are bully cove" was the 10
~. reply a. he pockcted the money; '.wt
ny you come this way agin I'll shlue you
tt for no,hin''
an Fifteen cents 81 such a time was aS g
81 as fortune, and away sped the boy
sn =. purchase breakfast.
uy There is nothing which reflects s.
ou recty on the entire system as u
e,I breakfast particularly when there ii
he strong norh-easter send its icy breath
IN. the very marrow OF ones bones.
And SO the knight az The black tnt, hri