The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-03-28
MARX, TIE CHORB BOY.

kept lad, of perhaps twelve years of age
who stood at the kitchen door Of Josial
Green's farmhouse, one sultry Afternoon
in July, and looked up into Mrs. Green
face with eager, famished eyes.
Where did you come from, and what
your nameln asked the housewife, viewin
HIM with suspicious, though not unEindl
eyes, and speaking in motherly voice.
I'm from the CITY," said the boy
i've been a bootblack there, and news
bog, and an errand-boy, aud, do my yer
best, could hardly keep from starving
There's a dozen boys for every job, ant
some of EN- are worse off than am, 70
l am all alone in the world. One day
fine gentleman, wot was having a shine
told me that he used to live on farm
when boy, and that if would 90 int,
the country, could get job at doins
chores for my board, and have all tn
milk I could drink, and 90 to school il
the winter, and perhaps grow up and b,
President.
The kind-hearted Mrs. Green laughed
as she invited the lad into the house, anl
said that for once, at least, he should
have all the milk he could drink. Sa,
was better than her word, for she no
only brought him milk, but sweet home.
made bread, tie ike of which he haG
never tasted before, and doughnuts, and
to crown all, a mammoth piece of dried
apple pie, and goodly slice of cheese.
Placing chair at the table, she said:
"Now, my little man, cat your fill
Mr.. Green and my son, VINO IS about voui
age, will soon be home from the village
where they have gone for the mail, and
then we will see what more can be done
for you
The motherly heart of Mrs. Green wa,
evidently stirred with sympathy for tn,
poor little orphan, for she softlv muir.
INJURED to herself: my boy Arthur age.
and alone in the world. Poor little
lad
"Tou asked me my name, ma am. and
l forgot to tell you, said the lad, hi.
mouth full of pie. ats Mark Bloomer.
The boys called me Bloom for short.
/" But before Mark could complete
another sentence, Mr.. Green drove up to
the door, the horse was halted, with a
loud "whoa, and Mrs. Green was soon
busily engaged in unloading sundry
packages Of groceries, for which her hus-
band had bartered butter and eggs at the
combine village store and postoffice. She
I Is greatly astoEished at the unexpected
sight OF Mark Bloomer, that he dropped
paper bag he was carrying, which
bursting open, permitted the milk crack
ers 1t contained to roll like so many small
wheels in every direction. Mark and
Arthur both sprang to pick them up, and
IN doing so bumped their heads together.
Neither was hurt, and It proved to be the
best introduction they could have had.
for they both laughed very heartily; and
when two boys laugh over the same
thing it usually ends in their becoming
friends. The two boys had Just finished
picking up the crackers, when Farmer
Green entered the kitchen.
"Heuo, motherln he shouted, in his
rough but kindly voice where did
gCN NM ILLS NLS
80 he happened along" laughed Mrs.
Green. ''He is from the CITY, and he is
looking for place to do chores for his
board, and in the winter, go TO school.
80 father, let him live with us. o
do keep him, father; I do so want some
one to play with.
Il don't believe 'twould be a very
profitable speculation to hire a boy Just
to play. Doing chore ANT play
But we would make believe it was, -
urged Arthur please, father, let him
stay"
Wei see about that. Come here.
youn"ster," said the farmer to Mark.
who curing the foregoing short dialogue
had remained perfectly silent, hoping
against hope that Arthur would prevail
upon his father to permit him to stay.
Mark at once stepped up to Mr.. Green.
you're an honest looking lad enough,
though you are ragged and dirty And
so you want to do chores for your board.
ehl What do you know about farm
workl7
''Not anything, said Mark, GIVE al
ways lived in the city. But l know
could learn. viii do my very best, sir,
if you will take me.
'Well, well, we'll see about it n the
morning. In the mean time you had
better GO down to the creek, and take
bath. l s'pose wen have to keep you
over night anyway, and them feet and
hands of yours amt Just the things to
put between clean white sheets. Arthur
may 60 with you and show you the
swimming hole, but don't stay in the
water long, and be sure and put up the
bars, so that the COWS won't get into
the meadow" shouted the farmer after
them as they started for Oaks Greek,
stream flowing through Mr.. Green's
farm.
As soon as the boys had disappeared,
the farmer turned to his wife, and said:
We'll, Polly, what do you think!
Had we better keep this young tramp.
or notl really need boy to help do
the chores; Arthur isn't at all strong. as
you remind me twenty times a day. III
thought the lad would be OF any earthly
use to me, I'd try him for month.
'fHe seems an honest, bright lad, -
said Mrs. Green, "and, besides, he's lust
Arthur's age. Let's give him trial. =
The fact Of his being 'iust Arthur's
age" seemed to be his strongest recon-
mendation IL the eyes of the loving
mother Arthur was a SICILY though
merry lad, and the ichores" that natur
ally fall TO the lot of Toys of his age on
all farms had, in great part, been done
by his father; the doing which kept the
latter from his other duties to such an
extent that he was continually behind
with his work.
In the course Of half an hour, Arthur
and Mark returned from the creek, the
latter looking very clean and rosy, and
the former very blue.
We have concluded, Marx, " said the
farmer, slowly, ''to give you months
Trial. "
@aurFss, hqrsb," shouted Arthur,