Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-10-23
MRS. BRIGGS CLERK.

when she saw MN ne was eatlng "a
crust out of the gutter. She was only
a poor old woman who kept little
shop for candy and trimmings. and
poor enough itself, heaven knew; hut
she said, he looked little like what
her Tom might if he had grown up
and been neglected, and she couldn't
stand it, She called to him:
Come here sonny" she said; and
the boy obeyed.
Before she could speak again, he
sail;
II didn't do it. III take my oath on
anything. | didn't do it. | amt SO
mean"
Didn't do whatP" said the pleasant
old woman.
Break your windrr," said the boy,
nodding his head toward "A shattered
pane.
why, broke that myself, with my
,hulter last night said the old
Woman. 81 amt strong enough 10
lift them, that's the fact. I'm getting
old"
IF I'm round here when you shut
up. I'll do it for You" said the boy.
I'D Just as soon. What was that you
wanted me for?'
Il want to know what you was eat
ing that dry crust out of the gutter
forp' was the reply.
Hungry" he said. I've tried TO
get II job all day. I'm going to sleep
in an area over there, after it's too
dark for policeman to see. and you
IL itbn
some supper, if it is a little dirty"
I'm give you some that's clean"
said the old woman
That will be begging" he said.
mo, " she said, you can sweep the
store and pavement, and put up the
shutters for it,"
VERY WELL" he said. "Thankee.
then. If | sweep up first, I'll feel
better"
Accordingly she brought him a
broom, and he did the work we'll.
Aftcrward he ate his supper with
relish. That night he slept, not in the
area, but under the old woman's
counter
He had told her his story. His name
was Dick; he was II years old, and his
father, whom he had never seen sober,
was in prison for life.
The mtecedents were not elevating.
but the boy seemed good. The next
morning the old woman engaged
clerk for her small establishments The
terms were Simple-''his living and
bed under the counter"
When the neghbors heard of it they
A 4
one knew. Did Mrs. Briggs really
want to he murdered in her brdp But
Mrs. Briggs felt quite safe. She had
SO much time now that she was going
to take in sewing. Dick attended to
the shop altogether. He kept it in
fine order. and increased the business
by introducing candies and chewing
gum. Pennies came in as they never
came in before since he had painted
signs in red and blue ink to the effect
that the real old molasses candy WAS to
be got there, and that this was the
Nlace for peanuts.
And in the evening after the shop
AS shut up she began to take him in-
10 her confidence.
Her great dream was to buy herself
into II home for the aged. 1t would
cost her 800. She was saving for it.
She had been saving for three Years,
and had Sl5 Of it. But it cost so much
to live, with tea 25 cents per quarter
and loaves so small; and she been
sick, and there was the doctor and
Mrs. Jones Maria Jane to be paid for
m;nding her and the shop.
After this Dick took the greatest in
terest in the savings. and the winter
months increased them, rs though he
had brought n blessing. One night in
the spring she took the bag from under
the pillow, and counted what it had.
1t ", $50.
"A,.d I'll begin to make kites to-
morrow, Mrs. Briggs said the boy.
land you'll see the custom it will
bring. II little shaver sees the kites
he'll spend all he has for EN-, and then
he'll coax his mother for more to buy
the stick darts aud chewing gum. !
know boys
You're a clever boy yourself said
the old woman, and patted his hand.
1t was a piump"r hand than it had
been when il picked the crust out of
the gutter, and he wore clean, whole
clothes, though they were made of
very coarse cloth.
How wrong all the neighbors
werc!" she said. That boy is the
comfort of my life"
So she went to bed with the treasure
under her pillow, and slept. Far ON in
the night she awoke The room was
utterly dark; there was not ray of
light; but She heard = step upon the
floor.
who is thate" she cried.
There was no answer but she felt
that there was some one leaning over
tho he'd; then hand clasped her
throst and held herdowu, aud dragged
out the bag, and she WAS released.
Half suifocated she for moment
found herself motiouless aud bewil-
dercd. conscious only Of draught of
air from the open door aud some con,
fused noises Then size sprung to the
door, and hurried into the little shop.
Dick! Dick! she cried Dick
Dick! Ie..I sSke w! LII l.;AhA4Lm