The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-14
AFLOAT In A GREAT CITY,
By FRANK A. MUNSEY.

On dark November night--the wind blowing
strongly from the East, chilly and dispiriting-a
boy, thinly and most shabbily dressed, emerged
from side street, carrying in his hand coarse
Broadway till he reached Union Square. and
there, taking a position opposite Fourteenth
street, leaned wearily against tree.
He had no especial object in going there more
drfted there as deserted boat drifts upon the
ocean; and yet there was stronger current
operating upon him than the effect Of the wind
and tide upon the boat-a mysterious something
that directed his steps to this point.
The scene about him was picturesque
A little to his left was the great statue of
Washington upon his horse. in full military
armor, and still nearer was Lafayette, while to
his right stood, facing him, life-size statue Of
Lincoln.
buildings, and directly in front of him, op tie
sidewalk, were many richly dressed ladies and
gentlemen, hurrying along Fourteenth street.
They passed gaily by without being needed BY
him. or giving him passing thought though IN
his rags he was q conspicuous figure amid the
more cheerful objects that surrounded him.
Presently lady and gentleman drew near, ac
companied by boy who had seen, probably,
about sixteen summers
His dress was that of extreme elegance.
Upon his upper lip was down-like substance,
barely visible by the strong rays of the electric
light Altogether he presented the appearance
of an exquisite dude
For some reason this party especially attracted
the attention of the friendless boy by the tree.
He looked at them sharply, to try and make ont
if he had ever seen them before. He concluded
he had not, and yet he felt strong fancy to
know something Of them.
He had never felt so keen an interest in any
one before; and why in these people, more than
in others9 he asked himself.
perhaps it's that dudes long legs" he said to
himself, with smile.
The party was now directly opposite him. and
the lady turned her sweet, motherly face and
gave him look of sympathy that passed over
him like an electric current and awakened with
in his breast a tenderer feeling than he had ever
before known.
'.Poor boy, how pity him, and what sad,
sweet face he has"
This much our young friend heard the kind
woman say, and the warmth Of his poor. starved
nature went out to her, while the crystal drops
of gratitude that rolled down his cheeks told
her, in one hasty glance, the effect her kind
words had had upon him.
''He is no ordinary street boy" she thought,
Notwithstanding his repulsive dress"
''Such sympathy for a ragged little Arab like
that-te-he- he-he! aw, it's quite too funny, you
know" and his father joined him in a laugh of
ridicule.
This remark from the exquisite youth, and
his thin, irritating laugh speedily froze the
warmth of our young heros feelings, and
aroused his indignation.
His manliness and naturally high spirit re-
belled against being insulted by any one, and in
stantly he dropped his sack, and started out to
teach the young dandy much needed lesson in
civility.
The crowd of theater-goers was so large that
he could not easily reach him, and it was fortu-
nate that he did not for upon reflection he saw
plainly the folly Of such act.
He, however, followed closely behind this un-
known marty.
.'You ought to be ashamed, Perry to speak in
that spirit about any one," said the lady, reprov-
ing the owner of the long legs and patent-leath-
er shoes
$50 his name is Perry" thought our hero ST
am glad to learn so much any way"
''Why, he is only gamma mere ragpicker,"
answered Perry. contemptuously:
Again our young friend found 1t difficult to re-
strain himself from collaring the author Of this
remark. But" said he to himself, ''the time of
reckoning will come to you, my fine fellow, and
I shall make it a point to be present on that
day."
dition of these city waits" said the lady, ten
derby.
lit is sad feature of our great city, to be
sure; but what can one dot There are so many
OF them that one does not know where to COM
mence with charity" he replied, as if acts of
charity were sweet to him, when in reality he
cared only for his self interest
Il think you would be safe in commencing on
this boy" answered the lady. 'He looked hung
CRY as well as cold"
"Come, come, l fear you are getting senti-
mental over this young gamin," said he skillful
ly avoiding the point; but why over this boy
more than any otherV
II cannot explain why. I could not express it
in words, and yet"
Here her reply was suddenly interrupted by a
party of friends who just then came up and
joined them.
The poor lad looked wistfully after them as
they left the sidewalk and passed through the
great doors of the theater.
II never saw any one look at me as that lady
did," thought the shivering boy, while be re-
traced his steps to his old position the square
~ know from her face she is a good woman, and
she spoke kind and plying like How I
would like to work for her! / am sure she
anyway:
"But her son ought to be taken down a peg, I"
he continued. discussing the matter in his mind;
''and 1 would like to do it, TOO. He is a regular
dude, and hateful one at that; but think he
is about like his father. shall get square with
him yet. and perhaps some day will have as
good clothes as he has on, and then no one will
know ever wore rags
II wonder who / am, anyway, that I should
live in that den, and if / ever had father and
mother, like other boys" unused he, as he once
more rested against the TALL tree.
eff had. WIN did they ever give me to that
wicked old woman, to live in that place and take
her abuse2
''PernapS she ana ner gang stole me away
from them, and they have been hunting for me
all this time-ever since / was baby. Who
knows? l wonder how long ago that was! /
think Pm about fourteen, but I'd like TO know
exactly, for now l never have a birthday, cause
don't know when it is" said he, sadly. And
the next thought in this mental problem. and
the which naturally forced itself upon him,
made his young heart ache with grief.
Eyes he admitted sorrowfully to himself,
"they may be dead-my own father and mother
How wish could remember them!' and for the
second time that night the tears rolled down his
pale cheeks,
II wonder If look like them, and if they were
rich or poorT he continued, specializing upon
this subject, which for him had a strange fasci-
nation.
He felt keen desire to know something of
his ancestors-something about the people who
were his own flesh and blood
He felt that those with whom his lot had been
cast were no kin of his for he in no sense
like them-coarse, low and repulsive. How he