The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-07-01

womans gentle breast But these were
San Francisco women of the period, and SO
they Uttered with one breath :-"What a
horrible little brat !" and then minced on
toward the matinee. Meanwhile the brisk
merchant first mentioned walked rapidly up
Market street, ike man every moment OF
whose time meant coin But when he had
proceeded about three squares his pace, foI
some reason, seemed to grow slower and
slower, and from time to time he jerked his
head impatiently and said ;-HPshaw
Indignantly to himself, as though he was en-
gagged in combating some unwelcome men
tai impulse that persisted in presenting
itself to his consideration.
The fact was, this brusque, Imperative
man of trade was troubled with most un-
common and annoying affection Of the
heart called humanity. 1t was so unnatu-
raj and singular disease for grown man
to possess nowadays that the merchant was
very properly ashamed of it; not only that,
but 1t seemed this was an hereditary affee-
ton that persevered in making itself felt,
and impelling its pOssessor to do all sorts
of inconsistent things in the most absurd
manner possible Left to himself, the
merchant was wealthy, respectable, man
of influence and a church member. In
fact he possessed all the necessary qualiti-
cations for being selfish, uneharitable. self
centred and inhuman, and it irritated him
to the last degree just when he was
about. for instance. to initiate his wealthy
neighbors and avoid subscribing to some
charity, or perpetrating any other kind
action, to have this silly little inbcrn imp
of humanity actually torment him into do
ing the very thing this worldly training
taught him most TO avoid. He had noticed,
too. that this disease-though il Is not an
epidemic, the reader will underestimate
ways affected him most when most happy
and eontented himself, and as he was in a
more than usually serene mood just then,
he was annoyed, but not surprised to hear
familiar little voice in his breast say. and
keep saying
Remember the loving little child You
kissed when YOU left home Just nov.
Suppose il were sitting there, instead Of
that wresched little waif, crushed and de-
spairing. Come, stop thiaking Of how
your neighbor Jones would act. bat 20
back and see if you cannot do something
for the boy
AS we have said, he fought against this
ridiculous impulse for a time, but it ended
in his turning at last and retraeing his steps
with that sort Of half-iniuFed half-shame-
face expression many men put on when
they SCI about = good action, for some as
vet unexplained reason.
What's your namegs he gruifly asked
Of the child, who BY this time had been
pitched upon the seat Of the wagon, which
was about ready to start
'.Snub, replied the small hoOdlum, eye
ing his interregator moment in . sort Of
despairing stupog. The house Of correction
for SIX months. which he knew was the fate
that awaited him. was nsore-mueh naore
TO his kind than the mere disgrace and
punishment il implied. Ii meant. in add
iion, just what bankruptcy and ruin does
to the business man. Long before his re-
lease the particular street-cOrner on which
be sold his papers. and the sole and eqnita-
bic right to occupy which he had defended
from his fellow merchants at tie expesSe of
many a gamely fought battle and bloody
nose. would be gone forever.
aSnub whatga said the merchant.
Walker, or suthin ike that. replied
the gEimy midget, after mement Of at
tempted recollection. sThe boys call me
only Stub, that's alL
'Why p
He shook his head in answer. although
the shape Of his inknitezinal ns.@e Supplied
the necessary information
Where's your mother n
'-Gone dead
~When ?,
@Danno-long ,ime-'fore dad run
away
Away where p
Ter sea.
and 50 you sAifi for yourself, and sell
papers, Hum Why do they cali You
a wharf rat =
Dunno amt no rat, said the red
headed pigmy, explanatory aud somewhat
warmed into show Of interest by the more
kindly voice Of the stranger.
'.Well so you aze hardly big enough
for a rat, laughed the other. You re
more ike mouse, and 50 I'll give you a
crumb.
And as just then the wagon started, the
merchant stepped into cab and told the
driver 70 hasten TO the City Hail, and be
quick about il, As he was missing an en-
gagement at the Merchants Exchange
AS for Snab, he watched the queer gentle
man out Of sight wish kind Of apathctic
curiosity The rat had been 50 Injured 70
chatting and other branches Of popular
street amusement, and SO used to ridieule
on account Of bis puny frame and bristling
red hair, that It did not surprise him TO see
this gentleman 20 of, like every one else.
in spite of has steady eyes aud clear voice
For SRnb didn't clearly remember 70 have
ever heard kind voice before ia the Whole
course Of has brief career He was aill
musing oFer the novelty when the wagon
turned down into Merchant street, and the
shadow of the Jail again fell over his be-
numbed little soul But the man with the
kind voice was there before him. chatting
aifably with the captain in charge
How much win the malefactors forfeit
bail come to p he asked, as the exposure
charge was booked;
..Ten dollars, said the clerk, with a
grin.
If an angel from heaven had risen out
of the floor 10 slow music and offered Snab
a whole potpie at once, after two days of
fasting from bad business, as he had dream
ed one did, he would not have been more
astonished than he was then to behold the
stranger take out huge handful of daz-
zling gold and toss down shining ten.
There, Mr.. Mouse, be said there is
your crumb. Your bathing bill is settled. ?
Does yer mean | can 20 now, mister p
gasped the prisoner, for moment, too
stunned to grasp the fact.
Yes, said the gentleman; and tLen,
winking at the clerk, he continued But,
you know | only lend you this money. |
expect you TO pay it back in year, you
understand
But even while they were all laughing
quite heartily at so rich joke, the wharf
rat raised his little clenched paw and said,
with an earnestness that even made the
callous specials look around
''I'll do it, sir; indeed l will hope |