The true northerner., 1882-04-14

ulRulJy I'd convey Do iuoiSutuO"ho ~
oner through the streets, and partly be-
cause he had friend In the express Of
flee who was always good for "divvy"
on these little jobs. The other guardi-
an majestically reposed after his exer-
tions on hawser post. after impressing
upon the child that AZ immediate cessa-
ton of his blubbering wonld obviate
the necessity of having his head caved
in by a club.
Meanwhile several other passengers
to and from the ferry loitered to gaze at
the strong hand of the law in full opera
ton and to ask the prisoners offense.
One of these was a sleek and benevolent
minister of an uptown church, but as
he was hurrying home to write pathet-
ic sermon on the text of the good Sa-
maritan he had no time to waste upon
latter day Philistines, and so he passed
by on the other side.
Another was great mining capitalist,
but it always made him angry to look at
people that were poor and dirty and vul-
gar, He had been poor and dirty and
vulgar himself once, and he now regard
ed all such attributes as direct personal
reflections, so to speak. So he stepped
frowningly into the fine carriage tnat
was in waiting and ratified off.
The next citizen who stopped to look
on was political economist, who spoke
three times a week on suffering Ireland
and ameliorating the condition of the
working masses. His soul sickened at
the injustice of society, he used TO say,
and, pausing long enough to make
shirt-cuff note Oh the fearful increase of
crime among children, he, too, went oF
shaking his head.
And then another millionaire chanced
by. One of those continually haunted
by fear of being themselves left in
poverty and want some Cay, despite
their present wealth. And so this one
clutched his purse tighter than ever,
and gave way to a couple of giggling
women, who We're the next comers.
Does not some writer say that sweet
charity and holy piety dwell always iii
woman's gentle breast? But these were
San Francisco women of the period, and
so they Uttered with one breath "What
horrible little brat " and then minced
on toward the matilee
Meanwhile the brisk merchant first
mentioned walked rapidly up Market
street, like man every moment OF
whose time meant coin. But when he
had proceeded about three squares his
pace, for some reason, seemed to grow
slower and slower, and from time to
time he jerked his head impatiently and
said " Pshaw!" Indignantly to himself, as
though he was engaged in combating
some unwelcome mental impulse that
persisted III presenting itself to his con-
sideration.
The fact was, this brusque, impera-
tive man of trade was troubled with a
most uncommon and annoying affection
of the heart, called humanity. 1t was
SO unnatural and singular disease for
grown man to possess nowadays, that
the merchant was very properl y ashamed
OF it; not only that, but it seemed this
was an hereditary affection that per-
severed in making itself felt, and impel-
ling its possessor to do all, sorts OF in
consistent things in the most absurd
manner possible. Left to himself the
merchant was wealthy, respectable, a
man of influence, and church mem
ber. In fact, he possessed all the nee
essary qualifications for being selfish,
uncharitable, self-centered and dinhuman,
and ii irritated him to the last degree.
just when he was about, for instance, to
initiate his wealthy neighbors and evado
subscribing to some charity or perpe-
trating any other kind action, to have
this little inborn imp of humanity act
ually torment him into doing the very
thing his worldly training taught him
most to avoid.
He had noticed, too, that this disease
though 1t is not an epidemic, the
reader will understand always affected
him most when most happy and con-
tented himself, and as he was in more
than usually serene mood just then he
was annoyed but not surprised TO hear q
familiar little voice in his breast say, and
keep saying
Remember the loving little child
you kissed when you left home Just
now. Suppose it were sitting there, in
stead OF that wretched little waif,
crushed and despairing. Come, stop
thinking OF how your neighbor Jones
would act, but go back and see if you
can not do a little something for the
boy"
AS we have said, he fought against
this ridiculous impulse for time, but it
eHueu III Ills turning uJ laSJ ana reUfac-
ing his steps with that sort of half-in-
jured, half-shamefaced expression many
men put on when they set about
good action, for some as yet unsolved
reason.
"What's your name?" he gruffiy
asked of the child, who by this time had
been pitched upon the seat of the wag
on, which was about ready to start
"Snub, replied the small hoodlum,
ey1ng his interrogation moment in q
sort of despairing stupor. The house of
correction for six months, which he knew
was the fate that awaited him, was more
much more-to his kind than the
mere disgrace and punishment 1t
meant in addition just what bankruptcy
and ruin does to the business man. Long
before his release the particular street
corner on which he sold his papers, and
the sole and equitable right to occupy
which he had defended from his fellow
merchants at the expense of mauy
gamely fought battle and bloody nose,
would be gone forever.
"Snub what ?" said the merchant.
Walker, or suthin' like that" re-
piled the grimy midget, after moment
&c otto,ootol roooIlan<,o, TLo Loxxa