Nevada County picayune., 1890-12-25


 There was world of pathos in this simple utterance, but MT. Percy had not yet got over his irritation.
 He resumed his homeward course, having in his heart only harsh thoughts for the poor child, who had at least full as just complaint as he.
 But the anger of a kind-hearted man is brief When the irritation of the moment was over, he could not help recalling with feeling of pity the shlyering little ontcast whom he had just encountered.
 Poor boy!" he murmured, com passionately, "and allowed myself to call him ragamuflin, as if that were his fault. 1 wished l had stopped and given him something, if only a quarter of dollar. It would have made me feel more comfortable now. Happy New Year. l am afraid there isn't much happiness or even comfort in store for him. l de- clare, I shan't sleep tonight for thinking of my cruelty to him. l be- lieve-yes, 1 will go back and see if can't find him and offer him some- thing. It isn't for those whom God 1 has prospcred, as he has ne, 10 add to the unhappiness of those who are less favored"
 Such were the reflections of the really kind-hearted Mir. Percy, as he deliberately turned about and re- tracted his steps to the toy shop, in front of which he had encountered our hero. It was full quarter of mile-no slight trouble to take-but Mir. Percy would have felt amply re- paid if he had but found the object of his search.
 He looked all about him, up and down the street on both sides, but in vain. He looked into the shop, thinking it just possible that the boy might have gone in there to warm himself. But here, too, he was des- tined to be disappointed.
 II suppose I must give him up, he soliliquized. II am sorry, very sorry, for it would have eased my conscience to do something for him. "
 However, as there seemed to be no likelihood of finding the boy, the merchant once again set his face homewards, where he soon arrived, and in the joy of q well-ordered home soon forgot the hero of his little mis- adventure.
 Meantime what had become of lit tie Gerald?
 Quite unconscious that he was drifting away from the only good fortune that he was likely to meet for long time, but keenly conscious of the cold, which was increasing. he kept moving. What a luxury fl somewhere in the great city he could have home and comfortable bed to go to.
 But all this was far beyond Ger aids antlcipations-although he wished for them-as Aladdin's lamp is from the sober hopes of the chil- dren who form vague wishes that they had it.
 Meanwhile, it was growing later. Nine o'clock had already struck, and Gerald began to feel sleepy. It had been a fatigung day to him. From early morning he had been on his feet. All day long he had been moving on. There was not . square foot in the great city that belonged to hm. He hadn't any business any where. That lesson he was not long in learning. If he remained in any one place any length of time there was not wanting a rough voice to asl him what he was about--a harsh or der to move on. So, with some anx iety he began to consider how anC where he should pass the night. He had left the main thoroughfare That was too brilliantly lighted. Il he sank down in the shadow of { , doorway tho intrusive gaslight would find him out and reveal his wherea bouts. He turned into retired street which business had not invad ed-but which was appropriated to private residences. These, iron their style and elegant exterior, were undoubtedly occupied by wealthy citizens. Here it was comparatively quiet. There were no hurryins crowds along. the pavements-only here and there a passer-by, one per haps who lived in one of these ele. gant houses, and was hastening to