The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-07-22
Our 8ops amo Girls.
A Boy to Be Trusted.

"Take these letters to the post
office"
ayes, sir"
"Get postal order to this address,"
indicating one of the letters, " and in
close it in it,"
yes, sir"
Carry these papers over to Mr..
Hills office"
Yes, SIR"
''Stop at Mr.. Grants, in the Jefferson
block, and ask him to step around to see
me-"
Anything else2" as the lawyer
paused in his directions.
Be lively about it,"
No need to tell Jim to be lively. He
had within week been raised from his
position as a newsboy to the dignity of
Office boy to Mr. Lane, the lawyer. A
proud and happy boy was Jim, as he
dressed himself in the new clothes
which Mr., Lane had given him as an
advance on his wages.
Clean all over" he said, surveying
himself with an air of great satisfac-
ton. "Clean from top to toe. And
I'm going to keep clean, too, now that
/ have q chance. No more rushin'
round the street, and settin' round on
curb-stones. No more sleepin' in alley
ways. No more goin' barefoot and
wearin' rags. Clean all over. And"-
Jim's face grew sober as he stood re-
flecting-" Pm goin' to keep clean in
side as well as outside. He's given me
chance, and I'm goin' to show him
Pm worth it. Yes, l am"
With Jump and whoop, Jim sprang
into his new life, full of new resolutions.
Mr.. Lane had met him limping for
lornly on the street, overburdened with
an armful of newspapers, while still
weak as the result of long illness, he
having just been discharged from the
hospital. The young lawyer was struck
with pity at the sight of the appealing
eyes, and sound of the quavering voice,
which seemed full of worthless crav-
ing for help which no hand seemed
ready to give. "Seems to me you are
not fit for such work." he said kindly,
as he bought paper.
CPL be stronger soon, | guess"
said Jim, as he gave the change.
"He Decent look as if he had much
chance of that" said the lawyer, look
ing after him as he staggered YEARLY
on. Here!-"
Jim turned at the sound of the voice
which had spoken kindly TO him.
Cant you find something easier to
do than this? No, of course he can't,
poor little scalawag." This in lower
tone as Jim approached. eff you'll
come around to my Office I'll give you
some work." he said as Jim, from very
weakness, leaned heavily against lamp
post. Cant you sweep out an Office
and set things in order, and 60 errands-
when you feel better2" he asked.
Eyes, know 1 could" said Jim, in
flush of hopefulness.
"Take this, then. Go out TO the park
and lie around in the sunshine for
couple of days. Then come and see
me, and we'll fix it,
cts taking things on trust, know"
said Mr.. Lane to himself. "But
what's the world good for if you can't
take few things on trust? Better to
be fooled few times than not do it,"
So, to-day, Jim had been for more
than week acting as Mr.. Lanes Office
boy. He started off at a brisk pace
with his letters and papers, proud of
every chance which now came to him
of showing how lively and how faith
full he could be in the performance of
his new duties.
q amt never goin' to turn one way
nor another till get my stuff to where
it's to CO." said Jim, as he tucked the
papers securely under his arm and took
firm grasp of the dozen or more let
tiers. Important, l reckon" he went
on, with glance of great respect at the
business-like envelopes. "Money in
'em, like as not. And I've heard say
there's stuff wrote in letters, sometimes
as is more important N if you
was sendin' money in 'em. You
wouldn't think so, but that's what they
says. And if anybody's likely to write
important things, it's Mr.. Lane"
Strengthening himself with the i'm
portance of having to do with such i'm
portance, Jim turned up stairway
and delivered his papers to Mr.. Hill.
The message to Mr.. Grant was duly
given, when the boy turned in the direc-
ton of the post-office, which was some
little distance further on.
What's all this crowd?-somebody
run over, or sometime"
Jim stood for a moment after round
ing corner and coming face to face
with a scene of confusion common
enough on city streets. Men and boys
were running from different directions
toward certain point, and in very
few moments several hundred people
had collected.
Jim paused for moment. He could
easily keep along on the other side AID
accomplish his errand without delay
A feeling in his heart told him this was
the thing to do, for boy who stops to
ascertain the why and the wherefore
of every street commotion will have
little time for anything else. But he
turned a little, allowing himself to
mingle in the crowd.
It's only couple of bootblacks, >
he heard some one say, got knocked
down and run over"
1t was close upon where a number
of Jim's comrades used to gather fo
work What if it should be any o
them? More willingly he moved will
the crowd until he found himself unabl,