Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-03-27
SICK FOR THE SHOW.
Row Street GamfnS Impose on the
Charitable Public.

lSLlCttBo 1>eWo.J
"I say, 'Limpy,' me an 'Specky' here's
a-gong to ther show"
ayes, yebe. Diin' yos both haf ter get me
to give yes the swim sints to git yer papers
wida Go long wild yes. reckon yell know
it when yes git ther That's thress suit yer
wearin' now, eh' Win yes both be in the
All about Paddy -. Hi, Mickey"
"Limpy," gamin of the levee sprang off
across the street, his game limb dangling
behind as he disappeared from the view
among the passing vehicles. The other two
boys, c'Specky," 5-year-old, and his COM
panon) sat down in the sunshine on the stone
steps of the custom-house.
"They's lots O good ole dudes a comm out
o here an lets make 'em give us ther money"
said "Specky," as he poked his dirty hands
deeper into the pockets of his ragged trousers
that were concealed to the knees by split
tail coat that had been shortened to his size
by the use of an ak. or other unprofessional
tool. He looked at his older companion with
an air of mystery. "I'll play sick on 'em an
you answer ther QUESTIONS they stick at me-"
"Specky" smiled. Joining his hands be-
hind him, he gave his coat-tail an aristocratic
flip with the ends of his fingers and said: Use
in"
A moment later distrcssed-lo looking urchin
lay Oh the top stone of the steps beside the
entrance to the pos.oiiice He wore IA red cap
that came low over his face and concealed
his eyes. 4 big brown coat lay loosely about
him, and exposed thin, worn shirt. he had
but one boot on. Beside him was smaller
boy, who was ragged, and looked distressed
from grief and hunger. An elderly man
1,,S CT lipr nf bp
ebony cane under his arm. He caught sight
of the boys, and as he adjusted Il pair of gold
trimmed glasses he approached them.
whats the matter with you little fellow"
he inquired ttndeily.
There was no answer.
"What's the matter with your friend, my
little felIow!" he repeated with n fatherly
air, placing his hand on "Specliy'e" head.
Muffin, only he's sick. I.impys' gone for
ther Italyun's cart, en- thin we's goin to take
him home"
Tho sick boy groaned. "Specky's' look
changed to one Of Gcspeir, and tine man drop
ping q quarter passed on. Two other men
came out. The scene was repeated.
"Sivinty-ffe sint3 'Srccky'"--
"H-u-s-h, here comes anothcr'n," was
"Specky's' reply.
pocket when the air was Jared by a shriii
whistle and yell.
"lloi, that's yer game, is it9 Git out o
ther way I'm aeon N afther ycz." As tho
last words were spoken dirty orange rind
whistlei through the air end struck the sick
boy squarely between the eyes The one
who threw it wheeled and, with game limb
flying behind in his course, sped off toward
the levee, do1gng, as he ran, an old boot
that had been drawn from beneath the SICK
loy's coat. "Specky' trotted along behind.
carrying Is cents and dilapiiated 'est
which had fallen out of TIC leg when the
boot was first thrown.
a half square below the gamins sat down
on the curb-stone, and talked about the
show, while the boot and vest wee read
justcd to the form of the sick boy from
which they had been taken when he lay down
to wait "for the Italians cart"