The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-03-10
A PLUcKY BOY.

Wen, my little man" SAID
the merchant, cOmplacently, he had
just risen from such a glorious good
dinner, what will you have tO-dayI"
Oh, please sir, mayn't I do some
work for you?"
1t might have been the pleasant blue
eyes that did it, for the man was not
gentlemen; and Tommy wasn't seven
yet, and small for his age at that.
There were a few wisps of hair along
the edges of the merchants temples;
and, looking down on the appealing
face, the man pulled at them. When
he had done tweaking them, he gave
the ends of his Cravat a brush, and
then his hands travelled down to his
vest pocket.
do some work for me, Ell? Well,
now, about what sort of work might
your small manship calculate to be
able to perform? Why, you can't look
eve the c%ounter?"
"Oh, yes, I can, and I'm growing,
please, growing fast. There, see if l
can't look over the c%Ounterf"
eyes, by standing On your toes. Are
they cOpperedg"
What, sir?"
"Why your toes. Your mother
could not keep you In shoes if they
were not"
"She can't keep me in shoes, any
how, sir" and the voice hesitated.
The man took pains to look w the
counter. It was too much for him.
he couldn't see the little toes. Then he
went all the way round.
81 thought [ should need a micro
scope" he said very gravely; "bUt [
NooHOo - 7 Cao4 O1Oco onO11Oh 7 0on Goa
what you look like"
I'm older than I'm big, sir" was
the ne 1t rel binder. "FOlBs say I'm
very small of my age"
What might your age be, sIr?'
responded the man, with emphasis.
Tim almost seven" said Tommy,
with a look calculated to impress even
Eve feet nine. "You see my mother
hasn't anybody but me, and this orn
ing I saw her crying, because she
could not find five cents In her pocket
book; and she thinks the boy who took
the ashes stole it. And-C-have-nOt
-had-any breakfast, sir" The voice
again hesitated, and tears come to the
blue eyes.
81 reckon I can help you to a break
fast, my little fellow" said the man,
feeling In his vest pocket. "There,
will that quarter dos" The boy shook
his head.
mother wouldn't let me beg, sir"
was the simple answer.
"Humph! Where is your father2"
1--WE never heard of him, sir, after
he went away. He was lost, sir, in the
steamer City of Boston"
"Ah! that's bad. But you are a
plucky little fellow, anyhow. Let me
see," and he puckered up his mouth,
and looked streight down into the boys
eyes, which were looking straight into
his. Saunders" heasked, addressing
o clerk, who was rolling up and writ
ing on parcels, "is Cash No. A still
ackg"
"Dead, sir,-died last night" was
the low reply.
"Ah! Pm sorry to hear that. Well
here's a y~oungster that can take his
place"
Mr.. Saunders looked up slo WY, then
he put his pen behind his ear, then his
glancetr 4velled curiOuslyf from Tommy
to Mr.. Towers.
ooh, l understand" said the latter:
Eyes, he is small, very small indeed;
but. I like his pluck. What did No.
4geta"
GSBOllSuOu Cl0Ih.
"Put this boy down four. There,
y0Ungster, give him your name, and
run home and tell your mother that
you have got a place at four dollars a
week. Come back on Monday, and
I'll tell you what to do. Here's a dol
lar in advance. I'll take it out of
your first week. Can you remember?'
"Work, sir, work all the time2"
CAS- long as you deserve it, my
man"
Tommy shot out of that shop. If
ever broken stairs that had a twist
through the whole flight cracked and
trembled under the weight of I small
boy, or perhaps, as might be better
stated, laughed and chuckled on &C
count of a small boys good luck, those
In that tenement house enjoyed them
selves thoroughly that morning.
Give got it, mother! I'm took. I'm
cash bOyI Don't you know, when
they take parcels, the clerk calls Cash
Well, I'm that. Four dollars a week
and the man said l had real pluck
courage, you know. And here's a dol
cry again, for I'm the man of the
house now"
The house was only a little 1Ox15
room; but how those blue eyes did
magnify it! At first the mother looked
cOnfOunded. Then she lOoked-well,
it passes my power to tell how she did
look as shs took him in her arms and
Rugged him, kissed him, the tears
streaming downher cheeks. But they
were tears of thankfulness. -EngLisf
Journal.
Members who have received IS. &
Co.'S" catalogue (buggies, etc., instead
OF deducting $40, $22 and $33, deduc-
SO per cent. off catalogue price for spo
cash. w. II. WORM. 8. B. A.