Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-08-21
HE KNEW HIS BUSINESS.
How the Little Boy Took Advantage of
His Opportunities.

HIS opportunities.
A little boy who had perspired all day
began to SILVER in the rain. He was sell
ing buttonhole bouquets at ten cents a
bunch, but, though it was past midnight
he had the greater part of his stock still
sticking in the board hung around his
neck in front of him.
policeman in a rubber coat stood On
the other corner, and but for these two
broadway and the cross street on which
they stood were deserted. The dripping
of the rain was suddenly drowned ont of
hearing by the rapid approach of might
hawk" with two boisterous FOUNDERS in
side who got out at the corner and disap
reared with the driver behind the swing.
ing doors of a saloon. The barefooted boy
followed them with a skip and a iump
across the muddy street. He recognized
the fact that they were on pleasure bent
and not in a condition to grudge their
small change.
The policeman yawned and walked
slowly off to meet the roundsman, and the
street was silent again. Then the cab
driver came out and mounted his box, and
the two FOUNDERS rolled out after him, each
with boutonniere in the lapel of his coat.
and the little boy followed them expect.
antly. The FOUNDERS climbed and fell into
the cab and banged the door.
Say, mister" cried the boy. "Say.
youse amt paid me fur them flowers. Do
We heart" he shouted as the cab moved
heavily forward "Youse amt paid me
for them flowersr'
One Of the men leaned out and pulled
the boys cap off and threw it in the street
and laughed. The other man laughed.
too, and told the boy not to be $50 fresh
mex time, givin' away fo-owers." And
the driver whipped up his horses, and all
three men whirled away with mocking
laughter. The boy sobbed and shrieked
and chased the cab as fast as his legs
would carry him. "Stop thief" he yelled.
stop thief, they stole me flowers" The
policeman in the rubber coat stepped out
in front of the cab and shouted TO the
driver TO stop, and the driver did so after
some hard pulling and harder swearing
The boy came up in tears and explained.
Here, you; pay that boy for his bou-
quets," said the officer.
I'VE amt got his booklets" Knocked one
Of the FOUNDERS.
Yes, youse have" said the officer, with |
righteous wrath. You're "A nice lot. ain't
you, robbing poor little boy of few flow |
ers. Pay up, now, or I'll take you in"
The boy wept and sobbed convulsively
and painted a great deal after his run. The
two FOUNDERS sobered up and pulled out
their money.
How much" said one of them, holding
a dime ready in his hand.
How much is the flowers, sonnyfn asked
the policeman kindly. The boy lifted his
sad, tear stained face to that of the kind
officer, and winked interrogatively The
officer knit his brows and then smiled ever
so slightly and winked back.
"A dollar a bunch, sobbed the little boy.
Even the policeman gasped, and the men
swore, while the cab driver looked down
At the little boy with undisguised admira-
lion.
Come, now" said the majesty of the
aw, pay him his money or I'll run youse
n"
The FOUNDERS looked at the night stick
md sadly shook their heads. Then they
landed out the q, and the cab drove away,
eaving the little boy and the policeman
landing In the rain and eying each other.
The driver smiled and sale TO his horses.
III that boy keeps on the way he's begun
le'l be dc to be q cab driver In time"
That boys no better'n highway rob
er, said the FOUNDERS.
sonny" said the kind policeman, SOL
mnly, there's the making Of police cap
ain in you"
Il know me biz'ness." said the little boy.
New York Sun.