The Yazoo sentinel. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1878-1916, 1891-09-24
SANDY: A VAGABOND.
ny W. c. INNS AND EDWIN rAnnrssEE.

"Say, boss, hcarye wants or boy Ii
dat so2"
Mr.. Wilmington looked up from his
desk at tho intruder. Before him stood
q small boy, ragged, unkempt, with a
dilapidated hat in his hand, and dirty
face that was frightened by pair Of
sharp gray eyes and grin.
no. said ho, turning again to his
work; II don't want boy He was
not fayorably impressed with the lads
appearance. Thoro was moments ST.
lonco.
Sure yer don't want or boy ter run
arrands and do work round yer offs?
Better take me, boss ! won't charge
much.
Mr.. Wilmington smiled and looked up
again. What Is your manner" he asked.
SANDY Sandy Martin" replied the
little fellow, briskly.
"Where do you liyo2, Have you
homer
NAV, amt got no home jest put up
nnywhercs.
What do you do for livingYN pur-
sued his inquistor.
ooh, | sells de papers sometimes II
kin read and write little, he added, as
IL no thought his value might be en-
HANGED by this evidence Of superior cd
ucation
Eyes, but don't you do anything
elsoi'
Sandy hung his head for moment.
Then looking around cautiously, and
coming up close TO Mr.. Whittington's
desk, he said ooniidontially
Say, boss, III Jest tell yer the truth
about IL. I've Jest kim from New York
rid on or freight run away" he an
nounced, impressively,
IRAN away" echoed Mr. Wilmington.
Eyes sir Yer see, I've been with
two follers what cracks safes and robs
houses, yer know regular crooks and
dey used 10 slip me thru dc windcrs SOS
70 scout round and see how dc Ian laid,
den lot ON in | didn't like de job, an
dey used ter beat me awful sometimes,
an got tired of It. Didn't fancy this
business of gittin' inter peoples houses
az night an takin' what blongod ter dem.
So last night when dcy was round dc
cornor ter do saloon Jest 'cludod tor run
away. | didn't want dat no moro, so
skinned out. wish yor'd gimme job"
he went on. "Pll be honest wild yer, an
do dc square ting"
Mr.. Wilmington was little startled
at FIRST. But as he noted how steadily
the boys clear, gray eyes met his
scrutiny, he felt that he was telling the
truth.
so you want 10 be honest, now.
al amt never did nothin ter be
ershamed Of 'oept when dey made me,
he said. "an' now I've run away from
dem. Nor'd better try me, boss-Tll be
square, he repeated.
MIR. Wilmington wanted boy to look
after his real estate office. The lad he
had dismissed the day before was untidy
and persisted in keeping the office smell
ingof cigarettes. Mr. Wilmington detcsf-
-edcigarettcs. Howas chnry about taking
this chap for obvious reasons. Still. II
the boy was telling the truth, he might
prove trustworthy Il only given the op-
poriuniiy 20 lead a better life; IL might
be the means Of his growing up right.
hnd-wcll. Mr.. Wilmington had good
deal of belief in human nature. and some
thing whispered TO him that ii he took
this boy he would be doing charitable
thing, and one that he would not regret.
Yes, and he would take him home. too.
where he might the better watch and
teach him.
So Sandy was duly installed in the
honorable position Of Office bov, at three
dollars q week. and went home with Mr..
Wilmington that night. Il was enough
for Miss Wilmington, who thought that
..-....-tA.srsr hr- hs-asl.nr AID uraa rss.lt Ear
him 20 bring this boy into their pretty
suburban homo nsar Philadelphia. As
she vas gifted with a good deal Of the
milk q human Kindness, she took Sandy