Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-08-06
A GEORGIA ROMANCE

Story Of a Very Honest BootbiacA
| and a Benevolent Gentleman.
''Shine, sir?' 1r. sg+
And bright, manipulating lad 81
nine summers stepped up 10 genti'.-
man in the Grand Central depot, New
York. and casting his large brown eyes
up into his face asked: ''Shinc, slr::
Il want my shoes polished, " said the
gentleman.
Then I would be glad to shine
them, SIR replied the boy.
Have l time to catch the Baltimore
and Ohio train?''
No time to lose, sir. can give
you a good job before it pulls out"
Certain of it?'
Eyes, sir. Shall I?''
"Yes.'
And in a pair of seconds the boot
black was down on his knees, and plac-
ing his box in position was at work.
Don't let me get left said the gen
tleman.
II won't, sir,' replied the boy, as he
piled both brushes with lightning rap
idity
''What is your name?'
paul fay
lis 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
his pocket and drawing out silver
half-dol]ar handed it to the boy, who
; pulled out 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 10 cents change.
As ne wandered up ~ street the
second da, after his arrival. he was ap-
preached by a lad, who said:
Were you ever here bcfore?''
Yes, hubby,' was the reply.
"When?" the boy asked.
"Abont two years ago.
Didn't shine your shoes at the
Grand Central depot?''
Some boy did,
"Well, am the boy, sir, and I owe
you Is cents. I tried to get to the
train, but couldn' t-honestly IcoulGn't
and here is your money. l was
afraid I wonld never see you again I
didn't intend to keep your money!
and saying this, the boy pulled out q
lot of change and, taking As cents
proffered it to the gentleman.
You may keep the money, and here
is 81 more"
Il can't take it, SIR
"Why?''
1T is not mine. Ihave not earned
it."
Il reward you for your honcsty''
Il am much obliged, sir, but did
what was right; was afraid you would
think did it on purpose"
No. did not think so. Well, if you
do not take the money, / will keep it
How would you like to go south?'
"Oh! ever so much, sir, but l car +
leave mother.'
The two talked some time. and the
gentleman was much impressed with
the boy, and after finding out where lie
lived called at the house next day. he
found that the boy was the eldest child
and that his mother was widow. The
gentleman told the lady that he had
taken a great fancy to her son and
wanted to adopt him. The lady tc|d
Mr.. Merritt, for that was the gentle
mans name. that while she was willing
to allow her son to be adopted SHE had
one request to make, and that was that
he he 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 Colum-
bus, Miss, where he was given a com
Portable home and thorough education.
Mr.. Merritt was devotedly 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 Miss Jenninrs.
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 died Wednesday last,
and more upright citizen never lived
in the city of Atlanta. He was a true
gentleman and an honest man.
The gentleman who adopted him was
Mr.. H. S. Merritt, now with Can't
John Keely. 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.-Atlanta Constitution.