The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-03-13
SONG or the sKArRR,
AFLOAT II A GREAI CITY.

l NsNNAA
ally filled, He walked aimleasly up Broad
way till he reached Union Square, an
there taking position opposite Foul
tsenth street leaned YEARLY against a tree
He had no especial object ingoinG ther
more than toany otherpartofthe great city
He driited thers as deserted boat drift
upon the ocean; and yet there was
stronger current operating upon hir
than the effect Of the wind and tide upol
the boat-a mysterious something that d
reCted his steps to this point.
The scene about him was picturesque,
A little to his left was the great statu
OF Washington upon his horse, In ful
military armor, aud still nearer was Lala
yette, while on his right stood, facing hin
a lite.size statue Of Lincoln,
Just across tho street were tall, hand
some buildings, and directly in front O
him, on the sidewalk, were many riChl,
dressed ladies' and gentlemen, hurryinI
along Fourteenth street.
They passed gaily by, without beinI
needed by him, or giving him passinI
thought, though In his raga he was a con
spiCuous figure amid the more cheerful OBJ
jeCta that surrounded him.
Presently lady and gentleman drew
near, accompanied by hoy who had seen
probably about sixteen summers.
His dress was that of extreme elegance
Upon his upper lip was down-like sub
stance, barely visible by the strong rays o
the electric light Altogether he present
ed The appearance Of an exquisite dude.
For some reason this party especially
attracted the attention Of The friendles
boy by the tree. He looked at then
sharply, to try aud make out II he hat
ever seen them before, He concluded HI
had not, and yet he felt a strong fancy t
know something Of them.
any one before and why in these people
more than in othersP he asked himself.
"Perhaps It's that dudes long legs" ht
said to himself, with smile.
The party was now directly opposite
him, and the lady turned her sweet
motherly face and gave him look O
sympathy, that passed over him like al
electric current, and awakened within hi
breast a tenderer feeling than he had eve
before known.
"PoOr boy, how I pity him, and what {
sad, sweet face he has"
This much our young friend heard thu
kind woman say, and the warmth Of hi
poor, starving nature went out TO her
while the crystal drops Of gratitude thai
rolled down his cheeks told her, in one
hasty glance, the effect her kind world
had had upon him.
"He is no ordinary street boy" she
thought, Notwithstanding his repulAivt
dress"
"SuCh sympathy for a ragged ttlle Ardl
like that-te.he.he.he aw, it's quite tot
funny, you know" and his father Joined
him In y laugh Of ridiCule.
This remark from the exquisite youth
and his. thin, irritating laugh speedily
irozs the warmth Of our young hero'l
feelings, and aroused his indignation.
His manliness and naturally high spirit
rebelled against being insulted by any
one, and instantly he dropped his sack
and started out to teach the young dandy
muCh.needed Lesson in Ciyllity.
The crowd OF theatre.goets was so large
that he could not easily reach him, and /
was fortunate that he did not, for upon re
Election he saw plainly the folly Of such al
act.
He, however, followed closely behint
this unknown party.
"You ought 10 be ashamed, Perry, Il
speak in that spirit about any one" sail
the lady, reproving the owner Of the loni
legs and patent leather Bhoea.
$50 his name Ia Perry" thought on
hero. ~ am glad to learn so much any
way"
'Why, he is only GAMMA mere rag
picker answered Perry, contemptuo
Again our young friend found 1t dlaicul
to restrain himself from CollaIing the au
thor OF this remark; "but, said he TO him
self, "the time OF reckoning will come Il
you, my ans fellow, and shall make 1t
point to he present on that day."
ut makes my heart ache to think Of th
condition Of these city walls" said tn
lady, tenderly.
ut Is a sad feature OF Our great city, I
be sure; but what can one do2 Their
are 90 many OF them that one does no
know where TO commence with charity,
he replied, as II acts Of charity were swee
TO him, when in reality he cared only 10
his self.interest.
~ think you would be safe In commend
ing on this boy, answered the lady. III
looked hungry % We as cold"
"Come, come, fear you are getting ser
timental over this young gamin,n said be
skilliully avoiding the point; "but VIII
over this boy more than any otherP"
n cannot explain why. could not eN
preaB II in words, and yet"
Here her reply was suddenly interrupt
ed by party Of friends who Just the
came up and Joined them.
The poor lad looked wistiully alter Their
az they left the sidewalk and passe
through the grest doors Of the theatre.
~ never saw any one look at me as tha
lady did" thought the shiyerlng boz
while he retraCcd his steps to his old posi-
ton on the square. ~ know from he
face she Ia q good woman, and che spok
40 lind and plying like. How / woul
Ilike to work Tor her am sure she woul
dress me up-well, more than i AM nov
anyway,
| "But nef son ought 70 De TAKEN u0Wn
peg" he continued, discussing the matte
In bis mind; "and I would like to do
too. He is a regular dude, and a hateful
one at that; but think he Ia about lik
his father. ! shall get square with hin
yet, and perhaps some day | will have a
good clothes a6he has on, and then no on
will know ever wore rags.
II wonder who ! am, anyway, that
should live In that den, and II ! ever ha
O father and mother like other boys,
unused he, az he once more rested againl
the tall tree.
All I had, why did they ever give me I
that wicked old woman, 10 live In tha
place and take her abuse2
Perhaps she and her gang stole m
away from them, and they have bee
hunting for me ali this time-ever sinC
l vase baby. Who knows2 wonde
how long ago that wasp I think I'm abou
fourteen, but I'd like TO know exactly
for now never have q birthday cause
don't know wheni Ii, said he, sadlj
And the next thought In this menti
problem, and the one which NATURAL
forced itself upon him, made bis youn
haaft acha with pFinf