Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-13

How q Little Coiored Boy Makes Messy -
what He Docs with 1t.

THERE Is A LITTLE colored boy named
l. Paul Hopkins who opens carriage aoofs !"
front OF public places whose history is one OF no
little interest. lie is on hand. rain or shine
mud or snow. to call for carriages when IN
theatrical performances are over and 10 80
that no mud dust gets ON the dresses 9"
skirts of the ladies and that the door Is snugy
closed upon safcly-scated occupants. Tue
police officer. who Is pretty sure 20 be on hand
10 see that things move along smoothly and
peacefully about the theater doors, does not
order him away He has full and authenti-
Gated right of way. and no other eamin, white
or colorcd, is allowed 90 cncroach upon hrs
prerogative or territory for an instant He
guards has rights with jealous care, and II he
even shifts danger from afar he is up in Arms
and ready for war on the spot
How HE GOT THE soB.
Some four or five wears ago he began the
work OF opening carriages. blncking shoes and
doing small chores about the theater incident
ally ard was then in a ragged. filthy and for
lorn condition. He attracted the attention ~
omcer Moore of the first precinct. who became
| interested IN his behalf The boys father had
died some wears before and his mother had just
died IN sqnaior and poverty in n discreditable
alley. He was a waif without parents. with
out a home aud without friends 90 look after
| hlm-wlthOut possibly a right, hut with suf-
Gent reason he was allowed the exclusive priv
| lege Of being
CARRIAGE ROT AT THE THEsrHR
and protected by Officer Moore and his brother
officers whose lot it was 20 happen around the
theatcr at the beginning and conclusion Of per
formances
The boy has stuck TO his place for more than
1 FOUR years and ! graduate IN hlr acquaintance
| Ds slght with the citizens Of Washington and
| tne pnphc men and women who frequent the
| theater and an expert in dccipherIng the lib
eral minded ones who are likely 90 tip him a
olme or 30 Tor his trouble. He knows the driv
ers the horses, the carriages and the owncu
individually. and can pick out q desired team
| the darkest night and get proprietor and equip
age together with surprising dispatch. Tho
party who fails 10 tip him. however. the second
nme. especlaiiy-and even a penny Is thank
| fully reCeiyed-gets .'cut dead" and may ha~l
himself hoarse the next time without attracting
The door opener attention. On n rainy night
| rev weeks ago. party who had done him
| three times without much a nodder." ~ the
boy said, called Justify. The boy heard him
! not bnt went right along calling up other CIR
riages ard waiting upon other people. Officer
| Moore himsoH stirred himself aud sent the
boy after the much-wanted vehicle and got the
party. but not without remarking in rather .
| loud undertone I'm hcarin' Of his uibs" as he
| said something about mot scttiu' up nights in
dis bisniss for fun
TIE DoY HAS 80 HOME
and sleeps most of the time, winter and sum-
mer, under the broad iron steps that lead up TO
the theater door. Once some time ago,
officer heard moaning noise under those
steps, and, punching underneath with u cane,
| found that II was the carriage collector. and he
was snoring in his sleep. and that his bed wss
only a few old papers spread On the ground.
IL suited him. however, and he regards Il q
rather a high-toned arrangement. Ii il en-
hreiy matter Of choice with him. though, for
| HE MAKING MONEY
and could take care Of himself very comfort
ably if he wished. He earns sometimes $l2 10
SIS a week from his various pursuits, for he
shines shoes, runs errands and does odd Jobs
IN addition to his work around the thcater.
Bat, like so many of his race. he
Is oyer-indulgent in his Ionduess for
SHOOTING CRAP
and invests pretty nearly the full amount Of his
earnings daily in the drag-net game Attimcs,
when flush" he will strut with the pride and
debonair Of n nabob and in half an hour not
have a penny to his name. He rarely goes
hungry, for his credit is good however bsd ms
principles may be.