Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-12-07
Plucky Bow.

| VIII you nave lO-uayF
"Oh, please sir, mayn't l do some
work for youP"
1t might have been the pleasant
eyes that did it for the man was not
accustomed to parley with such small
gentlemen. and Tommy wasn't seven
yet, aud small of his age at that.
There were a few wisps OF hair
along the edges Of the merchants tenn
pies, and looking down on the appeal
ing face, the man pulled at them.
When he had done tweaking them he
gave the ends of his cravat a brush,
and then his hands travelled down to
his vest pocket
"Do some work for me, Ell? Well,
now, about what sort of work might
your small manship calculate to be
able to perform? Why, you can't look
over the counter?n
"Eh, yes, can, and I'm growing,
please, growing fast; there, see if /
can't look over the counter?n
Eyes, by standing on your toesi are
Lney coppereoF
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 micro
scope" he said. very gravely, but 1
reckon if get close enough I can see
what you look like"
I'm older than I'm big, sir" was the
neat rejoinder. Folks say 1 am very
small of my age"
What might your age be, sir?'
responded the man, with emphasis.
Il am almost seven, said Tommy,
with a look calculated to impress even
six feet nine. You see, my mother
hasn't anybody but Inc, and this
morning saw her crying, because 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-had-any-any breakfast, SIR"
The voice again hesitated, and tears
came to the blue eyes.
II reckon I can help you to q
breakfast my little fellow" said the
man, feeling in his vest pocket.
There, will that quarter doP" The
boy shook his head.
Mother wouldn't let me beg, SIR"
was the simple answer.
'Humph! Where il your father P"
I'VE never heard of him, sir, after
he went away. He WIS lost, sir, In the
steamer City of Boston"
"Ah! that bad. But you are plucky
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. Saunders" he asked, addressing
clerk, who was rolling up and writ
ing on parcels, sis CASH No. still
sick Pr
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.. Saunders looked up slowly, then
he put his pen behind his ear, then his
glance travelled curiously from Tommy
to Mr.. Towers.
"Oh. understand" said the latter;
Eyes, he is small, very small, very
small indeed, but 1 like his pluck.
What did No. A get Pr
Three dollars, sir.'' said the still
astonished clerk.
put this boy down four. There,
youngster, give him your name, and
run home and tell your mother you
have got place at s. a week. Come
back on Monday and Pll tell you what
to do. Here's a dollar in advances
I'll take it out of your first week. Can
you remember ?"
live got it, mother! I'm took. I'm
cash boy! Don't you know when
they take parcels the clerks call Cash.
we'll I'm that. Four dollars week
and the man said / had real pluck,
courage, you know. And bere's q
dollar for breakfast and don't you ev-
er cry again, for I'm the man Of the
house now. "
''Work, sir, work all the timer"
Gas long as you deserve it, my
man."
Tommy shot out of that shop. If
ever broken stairs that had twist
through the whole flight creaked and
trembled under the weight of a small
boy, or perhaps, as might be better
stated, laughed and chuckled on ac-
count of q small boys good luck,
those in that tenement-house enjoyed
themselves thoroughly that morning.
The house was only little 10x15
room, but how those blue eyes did
magnify it! At first the mother looked
COMPOUNDED; then she looked-well, It
passes my power TO tell how she did
look as she took him in her arms and
Rugged him and kissed him, the tears
streaming down her cheeks. But they
were tears of thankfulness. English
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