The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-08-13
A GEORGIA ROMANCE.
story of Very Honest Hootblach
and Benevolent Gentleman.

Story of n Very Honest Hootblack
and n Benevolent Gentleman.
'Shinc, sir2
And bright, manly-looking lad of
nine summers stepped up TO IA gcn;le
man in the Grand Central depot, New
York. and casting his large brown eyes
up into his face asked: "Shinc, sir9"
81 want my shoes polished, y said the
gentleman.
"Then l would be glad to shine
them, sir" replied the boy.
Have time to catch the Baltimore
and Ohio train?"
mo time to lose, sir. l can give
you Il good JOB before it pulls out. r
"Certain of it?'
Eyes, sir. Shall l?"
"Ycs.'
And in pair of seconds the boot
black was down on his knees, ana pac-
ing his box in position was at work.
Don't let me get left, said the gen
tlcman.
Il won't, SIR" replied the boy. as he
piled both brushes with lightning rap
idity.
'What is your name?'
paul Fay"
"ls your father living?"
"No, sir. he is dead-no one but
mother and the children The train
is going, sir?"
The gentleman reached his hand into
half-dolar handed it to the boy, who
pulled out n lot of change and began
to count out the correct amount. The
gentleman moved of toward the train,
fearing he would be left, and before
the little fellow could get to him the
train pulled out.
Two years later the same gentleman
was called to New York on business.
He had forgotten the little bootblack
and his As cents change
AS he wandered up street the
second day after his arrival. he was ap-
preached by a lad, who said:
"Werc you ever here bcfore?"
"les, bubby," was the reply.
"When?' the boy asked.
"About two years ago
didn't | shine your shoes ut the
Grand Central depot?"
Some boy did"
"Well, am the boy, sir. and l owe
you 40 cents. tried to get to the
train, but couldn t-honcstly couldn't
and here is your money | was
afraid wonId never see you again.
didn't intend to keep your money!"
and saying this, the boy pulled out
lot of change and, taking 45 cents
proilered it to the gentleman.
You may keep the money, and here
is 81 more
II can't take it, sr.''
"Why?"
ut is not mine. have not earned
it
a reward you for your honesty"
Il am much obliged, sir, but l did
what was right; was afraid you would
think did it on purpose"
NO did not think so. Well, if Won
do not take the money. ! VIII keep it
How would you like to 20 southpn
"Oh! ever so much, sir, but can't
leave mother"
The two talked some time. and the
gentleman was much impressed with
the boy, and after finding out where he
lived called at the house next dav. He
found ~ the boy was the eldest child
and that his mother was II widow The
gentleman told the lady that he had
taken a great fancy TO her son and
wanted to adopt him. The lady told
Mr.. Merritt, Tor that was the gentle
man name. that while she was willing
TO allow her son to be adopted she had
one request to make, and that was that
he be allowed to remain in the Catholic
faith. To this Mr.. Merritt agreed. and
the boy was adopted by Mr. Merritt
and was carried TO his home in Column
bus. Miss, where lie WAS given a com
Portable home and thorough education.
Mi. Merritt was devotcdly attached to
his adopted son, and there was nothing
too good for him. When Paul became
OF age he returned to his New York
home and married n Miss JENNINGS.
He lived in New York a short while.
and then came to Atlanta. MIR. Merritt
having moved here.
The bootblack was none other than
Paul Fay. who d ed Wednesday last.
and more upr ght citizen never lived
in the city of Atlanta. He was a true
gentleman and an honest man.
The gentleman who adopted him was
MIR. FL. S. Merritt, now with Capt.
John Kcely. He never had cause to
regret making the lad his adopted son.
Mr.. Merritt was proud of him, and did
as much for him as any father could
have done. 5tlanta Constitution.
The Apple Of Eden.