The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-05-02
A PLUCKY BOY.

IlSSh iIplll Sucn glorious SOOd dln-
ner-"what will you have to day ?"
20, please sir, mayn't 1 do some
work for you?"
Ihere were a few wisps of hair
along the edges OF the merchants
TEMPLES, and looking down on the
appealing face, the man pulled at
them.
When he had done tweaking them
he gave the ends Of his cravat ii brush
and then his hands travelled down to
bis vest pocket.
800 some work for me, Ell? Well
noi, about what sort of work might
4 5's.r 5tnah manship calculate to be
able to perform Why, you can't
look over the counter ~
Yes, by standing on your toes
are they coppered ?"
"What sir ?"
"Why, your toes, Your mother
could not keep you in shoes if they
were not"
"She can't keep me in shoes any
how, SIR" and the voice hesitated.
The man took pains to look over
the counter. 1t was too much for
him-he couldn't see the little toes.
Then he went all the way around.
II thought | should need a micro
scope" he said.gravely, but | reck-
on if l get close enough | can see
what you are like"
Ppm older than Pm big Sir" was
the next rejoinder. Folks say that
Pm very small for my age"
"What might your age be, sir" re-
sponded the man, with emphasis.
Pm almost seven," said TomNy,
with a look calculated to impress
even six feet nine. "YOu see my
mother hasn't anybody but me, and
this morning l saw her crying be
cause she could not find FIVE cents in
her pocket. book, and she thinks the
boy who took the ashes stole it-and
-I-haye-nOt-ha break fast, Sir.'
The voice again heSitated, and tears
came into the blue eyes.
"I reckon l can help you to break
fast, my little fellow" said the man
feeling in his vest pocket.
There will that quarter do ?" The
boy shook his head.
"Mother wouldn't let me beg, SIR
wss the simple answer.
"Humph Where is your father ?''
''We never heard Of him, sir, after
he went away. He was lost, sir, in
the steamer City of Boston,"
''Ah! that's bad. But you are a
pIucky little fellow, anyhow. Let
me see," and he puckered up his
mouth and looked straight down into
the boys eyes. which were looking
straight into his. SANDERS" he ask
ed, addressing a clerk, who was roll
ing up and writing on parcels, sis
Cash No. sick ?"
Dead. sir; died last night" was
the low reply.
"Ah! Pm sorry to hear that. Well
here's a youngster that can take his
place."
Mr.. Sanders looked up slowly, then
he put his pen behind his ear-then
his glance travelled curiOusly from
Tommy to Mr.. Towere.
"Oh. 1 understand" said the lat
ter, Eyes he is small, very small in
deed. but l like his pluck. Wha
did No. 4 get ?'
"Three dollars, SIR" said the aston
tonished clerk.
"Put this boy down four. There
youngster, give him your name and
run home and tell your mother yol
have got place at four dollars ;
week. Come back on Monday ant
I'll tell you what to do. Here's /
dollar in advance; I'll take it out th'
first week. Can you remember ?"
"Work sIr-Work all the timew
"As long as you deserve it, IN.
man."
Tommy shot out of the shop. |
ever broken stairs that had twist il
the whole flight, creaked and trem
bIed under the weight of a small boy
or perhaps, as might be better stated
laughed and chuckled on account o
small boys luck, those in that ten
/, ement house enjoyed themselve
thoroughly that morning.
"I've got it, mother Pm took
Pm cash boy. Don't you know wheI
they take parcels the clerks cal
Cash ?'-weIl Pm that. -Four dol
lars a week and the man said ha,
real pluck courage, you know. Ant
! here's a dollar for break asst an,
don't you ever cry again, for Pm tn
man of the house now."
The house was only little ten-by
fifteen room, but how these blue eye
ala ,,oarpif,, II AT first Shn lOOk p