Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-08-30
TON T..

Heard about little Tony?' asked
Jake Muggins, the bootblack.
'Ya-a-as,' was the slow reply, as
his companion drummed tune on the
lamp-post. No business to be sneakln'
round thar
why. twas his reg'lar beat. He's
cleared s'much's dollar there some
DAYS. 'Twarn't his fault that the in
line backed. And he's got lame
mother and two little sisters to git grub
for.'
'S'posln' he has. There's other
fellers that's got plenty of that kinder
work. SAID the other roughly.
That's so,' was tne response, as
Jake hitched up his much patched
trousers. That's so!' he repeated
SLOWLY: but then, we amt smashed up
by an mime and made min'emeat ol'
and then carried home 10 the ones As
we've helped, and cant help no longer
How'd be git hit?' asked the second
boy as be bent down to brush a capac-
ious boot just then offered by a gen'le'
man.
He was bit by the milne and Knock
ed clear across two tracks, aud they
said bis head was broke, n back broke;
and he's broke and he's broke and he's
broke, guess, all over
who's that?' asked the gentleman
locking at the boys from under bushY
eyebrows.
One of US fellers; Tony Reed. He
was irst-rate fellow, too; good at a
shine. and 'ad knowed better days.
Folks liked him. and he got lots oil
chances; but he's used up now pretty
bad. Last night be was a-standlh' on
the railroad track, and iniine just
backed ov a suddin and it hit him aud
sent him a.fying and smashed him all
up. l guess bis mother feels bad; and
she's lame, anyway
Tony Reed! Tony Recd!' unused The
stranger. so that was his name, was
| ii? A fine little fellow, hey? Yes. Well
let me see. Can trust you, boysT
Trust us {? Well, you just put US bin
The Bank of Hingland and guess we'd
know better than to touch a cent.
guess we would and the little fellow
gave chuckle.
He's an English chap, he is said
Jake, the first boy, hitchlng at his
trousers; but he's all right. Him and
mes pardners,' and with this rather
dubious compliment Jake attempted 10
stop shaky and seedy man, who had
probably been in the gutter to The eN'
tent of overshoes at least.
Have shine, sir:'
'I'll make daylight shine through
you if yer don't let me alone was the
tipsy reply.
Tony Reed!' muscd the stranger. 1
remember the accident; read about l.
in the daily paper. One Of you, YOU
say? A bootblack, ehF p
| Yes, sir; and he's got lame mother
ard two little
That will do replied the man. I'm
10 hucry, but here's some change you
lean carry TO Tony. Honor bright
now.'
! Honor. BRIGHT responded th'
parduer,' his eyes shining as the silver
pieces went into his hand.
There, can't stop to count 1t, oa'
iyou carry it to that poor boys house
and give it to his mother
| IN do it, slr,' was the quick re-
! spouse. Say, Jake, here's a l'lt' Ell
1T amt for u.s. said Jake gravely.
| 'Wen, we can pay ourselves iof
carryin' 1t, can't we?'
| No we can't, nuther; we are to TAX
| that money 10 Tony Reeds and give
| to him, every cent
Il say 1 shall pay myself.
Il say yer shan't!' and by this um'
IJake,s fist was doubled up.
Here, 'old yer 'at. yer fool; l wa'
only a-tryiu' yer.' said the pardner with
an amazing assumption of dignity. 'In
clad to see as you acquitted yourself al
yer ought ter. Now, s'pose we take
the money!
| After q few moments thought, Jake
said. I'll tell yer what: let's see II W
can't git the iellers to give some dime
Ifor Tony and his MOTHER
Il .aI right p and the two boys wen
among the fellers' from corner
corner, and to their honor be it slid
hardly bootblack withheld his mite
? and some OF the little fellows gave tn
4 whole price of a 'shioe.' Presently
molly PROCESSION ofeight or ten boys
straight and STOPPING, slightly aud un
slightly, might have been seen "endin
its uay to the north pirl OF the cit.
Ifull of fun, talking and laughing an'
r ,hev came 10 the narrow street wheI
J: Tony lived with his mother.
Coarse though they were; of strang
: and varied experience; callous as TO Il
j finer sentiments OF human natu
, n, o, o,o of thapn snoke ahn,