Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-08-27
SANDY: A VAGABOND.
BY W. c. HIBBs AND EDWIN TARRIssEE.

Say, boss, hear yer wants er boy. Is
dat so?''
Mr.. Wilmington looked up from his
desk at the intruder. Before him stood
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 he, turning again to his
work; Il don't want boy He was
not favorably impressed with the lad $
appearance. There was moments 81
lence.
"Sure yer don't want er boy ter run
arrands and do work round yer ofiisi
Better take me, boss-I won't charge
much"
Mr.. Wilmington smiled and looked up
again. "What is your name?" he asked
"Sandy-Sandy Martini" replied the
little fellow, briskly.
"Where do you live? Have you a
homer"
Nav, amt got no home. Jest put up
anywheres.
"What do you do for living?" pur.
sued his inquisitor.
"Oh, | sells de papers sometimes
kin read and write a little" he added, as
if ne thought his value might be en-
hanced by this evidence of superior ed
ucation.
Eyes, but don't you do an ything
else?"
Sandy hung his head for a moment.
Then looking around cautiously, and
coming up close to Mr.. Whittington's
desk, he said confdentially-
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.
"9es sir. Yer see, I've been with
two fellers what cracks safes and robs
houses, yer know-regular crooks-and
dey used to slip me thru de winders so S
to scout round and see how de Ian laid
den let 'em in. | didn't like dc job, an
dey used ter beat me awful sometimes
an | got tired of it, Didn't fancy this
bus ness of gittin' inter peoples houses
at night an takin' what b 'longed ter dem
So last night when dey was round d,
corner ter de saloon Jest 'cluded ter run
away. didn't want dat no more. so
skinned out. wishyer'd gimme lob. )
he went on. "Ill he 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 hi,
scrutiny, he felt that he was telling til,
truth.
$50 you want TO be honest, now"
nipit nnvnr IiI ,,n+b;n1 l,
ershamed of 'cept when dey made me,
he said, "an now Eve run away frol
dem. Yer'd better try me, boss-I'll b
square, he repeated.
MIR, Wilmington wanted boy to lool
after his real estate office. The lad h
had dismissed the day before was untid
and persisted in keeping the office smell
ingo cigarettes. Mr.. Wilmington dctest
ed cigarettes. Hewas chary about takin,
this chap for obvious reasons. Still, i
the boy was telling the truth, he Nigh
prove trustworthy if only given the OF
portunity to lead better life, it migi
be the means of his growing up righ
and-well, Mr.. Wilmington had goo
deal of belief in human nature, and som,
thing whispered TO him that if he too
this boy he would be doing charitabl
thing, and one that he would not regret
Yes, and he would take him home, toe
where he might the better watch an
teach him.
So Sandy was duly installed in til
honorable position of Office boy, at thre
dollars week, and went home with NJ
Wilmington that night. 1t was enoug
for Miss Wilmington, who thought tn;
everything her brother did was right t,
him TO bring this boy into their prett
suburban home near Philadelphia.
she was gifted with good deal of ii
milk Of human kindness, she took SanC
to her heart in little while, and in tin
he became invaluable in the office al
around the house. He was so ready II,
willing to work, and had such shrew
way about him, child that he was, TIN
Mr.. Whittington's interest in him i
creased, and he began to think that the
might be a good future for him.
Miss Whittington took great pains
teach him neatness and courtesy, al
spent mnch time with him over his bool
al night. Sandys life in the metropol
had developed in him that shrewdnc,
and alertness that one marks in the gan
ins of the street. He had a good men
ory and manifested much originality
his opinions; always tinctured with
worldly practically that made Mr.. Viii