The Opelousas courier., 1889-03-16
A T T ~BOOT-BLACK.
How He Sought to Provide for His
Mother, and the Sequel.
ssRiaek unnr boots. sirpm

ia Il III O. 1LAA
pleading, most unlike the usual shrili'
half impudent tone OF the boot-DlacK
army, and George Meredith looked
down to see the speaker. Being a tai
man, over six feet, and somewhat portI
ly, with ffty-hye years OF life. mostly
of prosperity, he looked quite a dis
lance downward before he saw the
little fellow who spoke. Such a very
little fellow! He did not look more
than six years Old, and had close Gus
tering curls of fair hair, and big blue
ewes like a baby. But the small face
was pale and thin, the limbs
scantily clad, were far too slender, and
the low, sweet voice had an unchild-
like pathos in its tone.
NO said Mr.. Meredith. before
the look. aWell, yes, you may!" he
added aafterward. What's your
namePP'' he asked, presently.
George Scott"
Him. OrphanPn
mo, sir. Mother is living, but she
slipped on the ice about two weeks ago
and broke her arm. She did not think
/ was big enough to work before that,
but she had to let me try then. | don't
make out very well. Gentlemen think
I'm too little. But I a make boots
shine, can't I?"
.tYou have certainly made that n
shine,a was the reply, while Mr. Mere
dith thought: Here is something rare,
indeed. q boot black who talks correct
English. Has he stepped out OF a
novelPn
In a moment he spoke again.
what work did your mother do?"
he asked. Q
aEmbroider for a fancy store. She
couldn't work very fast, because she
isn't very strong; but we don't eat a
great deal; that's n comfort"
Sorry COMFORT" p-uttered the gem
tlen1an. ..Any brothers Or sistersP"
.sAll dead, sir. Mamie was the last
'cept me, and she died in consumption:
She was sixteen and helped mamma
sew and keep the rooms in order. Oh,
dear!!'
ct was just a child'sl)sigh, coming
from q full heart to ansSer the look OF
interest and sympathy in the gentle
mans face.
DO you like blacking bootspn was
the next question.
mo, sir!n
ssWould you like to run errandsP"
II think | should"
How much a you make a day
now?'
.sThe most / ever made wa forty
cents. This is my first job to-day"
s.Can you readPn
why, yes, sir. I am ten years
cldr'
.sYou come tomorrow morning u
the address on this card, and / will tr,
you for an errand boy
Then giving the lad a ffty-cent piec'
and refusing to wait until he went y
get change for it, George MEREDITH
strolled off TO his hotel, his s~olitar.
dinner and bachelor apartments.
Odd he thought, sshow much tina
boy reminds nae of some one, ! can
think who it is. Some one who ha'
just such big blue eyes, OF once Oh,
and frank, dropping most OF the time
but candid and truthful when they di'
meet your own. HIM; it is very vague
but somebody I once knew had jus
such eyes. Poor little chapi I'll Civ
him q decent suit of clothes, and pa,
him enough to live on until his mothe
gets well. It won't ruin mei!''
And considering that the speake
counted his money by hundreds OF thou
sands, 1t seemed likely 1t would not.
The little, eager Lad who walked int
She rich lawyers Office the next da
was an improved edition of the boot
black of the night before. He had O
his best suit, we'll worn, but Who'll,
and his linen was white. his hair nice
II brushed, and his boots shining.
Mother betterpn asked Mr. Mer,
dith.
40. sir was the sad, quiet ansWe
couldn't get oven II the dispel
sary this morning to have her az
dressed She was so dizzy she had
neaown.
@Ilaass badl Suppose you tell d
where you liveer
No. II Merriam Court, air. bas
o - street.
Hml Well I'll givs you your Dr.
errand