Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-08-15
"B0T WANTED"

People laughed when they saw the sign
again. 1t seemed to bo always in Mr..
Peters window. For day or two, some
times for al hour or two, il would be
missing, aHd passers-by would wonder
whether Mr.. Peters had at last found a
boy to suit him, but sooner or later it was
sure to appear again.
"What sort OF boy does he want, any
way" one ana another would ask, and
then they would say to each other that
they supposed he was looking for n per-
feet boy, and in their opinion he would
look good while before he found one.
Not that there were not plenty of boys
as many as dozen used sometimes to APP
pear in the course Of q morning, trying
for the situation. Mr.. Peters was said to
be rich and queer, and, for one or both of
the reasons, boys were very anxious to try
to suit him. can he wants is fellow to
run crrands, it must be easy work and
sure pay"
This was the way they talked to each
other. But Mr. Peters wanted more than
q boy 70 run errands. John Simmonds
found it out, and this is the way he did it.
He had been engaged that very morning,
and had been kept busy all the forenoon
at pleasant enough work; and although
lie was 4 lazy fellow, lie rather enjoyed
the place. 1t was toward the middle of
the afternoon that he was sent up to the
attic, n dark, dingy place, inhabited by
mice and cObwebs.
"You will find long, deep box there"
said Mr.. Peters, "that 1 want put in
order. 1t stands right in the middle of
the room; you can't miss it,"
John looked dolcful. GA long, deep
box. l should think lt was" he said to
himself, rs the attic door closed after him.
"It would weigh most ton, guess, and
what is there in it? Nothing worth touch
ing, and it is as dark as pocket up here,
and cold besides. How the wind blows
in through those knot-holes. There's a
mouse! If there is anything hate it's
mouse! III tell you what it is, If old
Peters thinks Pm going to stay up here
and tumble over his rusty nails, he's much
mistaken. wasn't hired for that kind
OF work"
Whereupon John bounced down the
attic stairs three at time, and was found
hanging In the show window an hour
afterward, when Mr.. Peters appeared.
"Have you put the box in order al
ready ?" was the gentlemsn's question.
81 diln'; find anything to put in order;
there was nothing in it but nails and
things"
EXACTLY. It WAS the mails and things
that wanted put in order. Did you 90
it."
"No, sir. It was dark up there, and
cold, and didn't see anything that was
worth doing. Besides, thought l was
hired to run errands."
"Oh!" said Mr.. Peters. "I thought
you were hired TO do as you we're told"
But lie smiled pleasantly enough, and at
once gave Johu an errand 70 do down
town, and the boy went Of chuckling,
declaring TO himself that he knew how TO
manage the Old fellow; all it needed was
little standing up for your rights.
Precisely az G o'clock John was called
and paid the sum promised him for days
work and then TO his di5may he was told
that his services would not be needed any
more. lie asked no questions. Indeed,
ne had time for none, as Mr. Peters ini-
mediately closed the door.
The next morning the old sign, "Boy
Wanted" appeared in its usual place.
Before noon il was taken down, and
Charles Jones WAS the fortunate boy.
Errands, plenty Of them. He was kept
busy until within an hour OF closing
Then he was sent up in the attic to put
the long box in order. lie was not afraid
OF mouse nor Of the cold, but i.e grum-