St. Landry democrat., 1891-10-03
SANDY: A VAGABOND.
BY W. c. HIBBS AND EDWIN TARRISSEE.

"Say, boss, hearyer wants er boy. Is
dat so?''
Mr. Wilmington looked up from his
desk at the intruder. Before him stood
a small boy, ragged, unkempt, with a
dilapidatcd hat i'll his hand and dirty
face that was frightened by a pair of
sharp gray eyes and a grin.
NO" said he, turning again to his
work; Il don't want a boy. He was
not favorably impressed with the lads
appearance There was a moments ST
lence.
"Sure yer don't want er boy ter run
arrands and do work round yer offs:
Better take me, boss-I won't charge
much"
Mr.. Wilmington smiled and looked up
again. "What is your namo:?" he asked.
"Sandy-Sandy Martini" replied the
little fellow, briskly.
"NNhere do you live? Have you q
home?'
"Naw, amt got no home. Jest put up
anywheres.'
"What do you do for living?" pur-
sued his inquisitor.
ooh, | sells de papers sometimes-I
kin read and write a little" he added, as
if he thought his value might be en-
hanced by this evidence of superior ed
ucation.
Eyes, but don't you do anything
else?"
Sandy hung his head for moment.
Then looking around cautiousl y, and
coming up close to Mr.. Whittington's
desk, he said conidentially-
Say, boss, I'll jest tell yer the truth
about it. I've Jest kim from New York
rid on er freight. run away" he an
nounced, impressively.
Ran away" echoed Mr.. Wilmington.
"Yes sir. Yer see, I've been with
two felers what cracks safes and robs
houses, yer know-regular crooks-and
dey used to slip me thru de winders SOS
to scout round and see how de Ian laid,
den let em in. I 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
at night an takin' what b'longed ter dem.
So last night when dey was round de
corner ter dc saloon jest 'cluded ter run
away. | didn't want dat no more, so |
skinned out wish yer'd gimme a job"
he went on. 'I'll be honest wild yer, an
do de 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.
$50 you want to be honest, now"
II amt never did nothin ter be
ershamed of 'cept when dey made me, -
he said, ian now I've run away from
dem. Yer'd better try me, boss-l'l be
square," he repeated.
Mr.. 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
ing Of cigarettes. Mr.. Wilmington detest-
ed cigarettes. He was chary about taking
this chap for obvious reasons. Still, if
the boy was telling the truth, he might
prove trustworthy if only given the OPP
portunity to lead q better life; it might
be the means of his growing up right
and-well, Mr.. Wilmington had good
deal Of belief in human nature, and some
thing whispered to him that if he took
this boy he would be doing a 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 boy, at three
! dollars a week, and went home with Mr.
Wilmington that night It was enough
for Miss Wilmington, who thought that
everything her brother did was right. fol
him to bring this boy into their pretty
suburban home near Philadelphia. As
she was gifted with a good deal Of the
milk of human kindness, she took Sandy
to her heart in Il little while, and in time
/ he became invaluable in the office ant
around the house. He was so ready anC
willing to work, and had such shrewd
way about him, child that he was, thai
| Mr.. Whittington's interest in him in,
creased, and he began to think that there
might be good future for him.
Miss Wilmington took great pains Il
teach him neatness and courtesy, anG
snent mnch time with him over his books
at night. Sandy's life in the metropolis
had developed in him that shrewdnes:
and alertness that one marks in the gam.
ms Of the street. He had good mem.
ory and manifested much originality il
his opinions; always tinctured with ;
worldly DracticalitY that made Mr.. Whit