Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-04-12
JACKS MIS- SION.

But I'm so tired" whimpered Ted,
digging his knuckles into his eyes.
$50 IN / tired" responded Jack in
voice full of tears which he bravely
repressed. "Let's go over there and
try our luck again. I'll play for ye,
but can't sing. 1t hurts me here"
placing his hand on his chest.
They crossed the street to spot
where a group of men were standing.
Jacks hands, numb with cold, could
Scarcely hold the squeaky violin, while
Ted's feet shulfied clumsily on the
sidewalk in vain attempt to keep
time to the dismal music. Warmly
clad men and women hurried by, never
deigning to glance at the young min
strels. Doubtless many of them, when
seated at their warm fresides, would
shed tears of pity over graphic news
paper account of two homeless boys
standing in the wintry twilight, the
thermometer at zero, striving to earn
sufficient to induce their souls to abide
awhile longer in their famished bodies:
yet on this particular evening not one
of the hundred pedestrians paused to
look at the little fellows. Even the
lean, hungry dog that had been search
ing in the gutter for bone skunk
away, as if finding it unpleasant to
come in contact with misery greater
than his own.
"'Tain't no use jack" said Ted,
"people won't take the trouble to find
a penny for us when it's 50 cold"
Jack nodded doleful assent to the
words, tucked the violin under his
arm, and the two walked away in a
istless manner. They wandered on
for some time and finally stopped be-
fore house and gazed with longing
eyes into the basement dining-room,
where family Of three persons were
seated at the table.
"0h my it looks nice in there"
whispered Ted. Look Jack, they've
got turkey an sweet pertaters Wish
we had some. See that gurl with the
yeller hair an white frockl Amt
she purty?"
YES" replied his companion
wearily. "Some folks have good times
and others don't. I've been watching
the dog by the fire. l suppose he'll
get nice dinner too"
At that moment a servant pulled
down theshade.
What did she do that for?' COM
planned Ted. 1--WE didn't do no harm
jest peepin' at them"
AS the lads turned regretfully away
they were accosted by forlorn-lool-
ing specimen of manhood, who, like
themselves, shivered with the cold.
"Why are you on the street night
like this, youngsters? Why don't you
go home?" he asked
"Cause we amt got no home," re-
piled Ted.
"Poor ladsl thought l was the
only homeless wayfarer abroad this
bitter night. Haven't you any par
ents p
"Never had any. Had NANNY
once, but she's dead. Jack never had
nobody"
"Then you are not brothers2''
No. replied Jack, speaking. with
difficulty. when / was a baby my
father gave me to Ted's mother and
promised to take care of me, but he
went off and we never heard from him.
Guess he's dead too. Oh, Tedw he
cried suddenly, grasping his compan-
ions arm, feel so bad, I-can't-
stand-up- any-longer."
Perishing with cold and hungerp'
muttered the tramp compassionately
I" Hold on minute and l will see if
can beg hot drink for YOU"
Lifting the boy in his arms he
knocked at the door.
VIII you give me a cup Of tea and
a crust for this child, who is dying
from cold and want Of nourishment: =
be asked of the servant who answered
the summon.
Who is it, Mary p called out {
voice from the dining-room.
a man with starving child ask
1lng for food, Z replied the girl.
Give them something, Mary. 4
<6u1d be dreadful 70 tarn q hungr]