The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-03-18
THIS BOY HAS NO HOME.
A WASHINGTON WAITS EXPERIENCE.
Other stories for Young Foiks-The Ten
der Little Child - Prince Henry's
Cradle Mt Pau-who Can Teil?-
Children's wIt-ProbIems.

There is little colored boy named Paul
Hopkins who opens carriage doors in front
of public places whose history is one of no
little interest, says the Washington Star.
He is on hand rain and shine, mud or
snow, 10 call for carriages when the
the theatrical performances are over and
to see that no mud or dust gets on the
dresses or skirts of the ladies and that the
door is snugly closed upon saiely-seated
occupants. The police officer, who is
pretty sure to be on hand to see that
things move along smoothly and peace
fully about the theater doors, does not
order him away. He has a full and
gamin, white or colored, is allowed to en-
croach upon his prerogative or territory
for an instant. lie guards his rights with
jealous care, and if he even shifts danger
from afar he is up in arms and ready for
war on the spot
Some four or five years ago he began the
work of opening carriages, backing shoes,
and doing small chores about the theater
incidentally, and was then in a ragged,
filthy and forlorn condition. He attracted
the attention OF Officer Moore of the
First precinct, who became interested in
his behalf The boys father had died
some years before, and his mother had
just died in squalor and poverty in dis
creditable alley. He was q waif-without
parents, without a home and without
friends to look after him. Without posi-
bly, a right, but with sufficient reason, he
was allowed the exclusive privilege OF be-
ing carriage boy at the theater, and pro-
tected by Officer Moore and his brother
officers whose lot it was to happen around
the theater at the beginning and conclu-
sion of performances.
The boy has stuck to his place for more
than four years, and Is graduate in his
acquaintance by sight with the citizens of
Washington and the public men and
women who frequent the theater, and an
expert in deciphering the liberal"
minded ones who are likely to tip him
dime or so for his trouble. He knows the
drivers, the horses, the carriages, and the
owners individually, and can pick out a
desired team the darkest night and get
proprietor and equipage together with
surprising dispatch. The party who fails
u up nililt however, llb StCOHu lliuts tb-
pecially-and even q penny is thankfully
received-gets 'cut dead" and may bawl
himself hoarse the next time without at
tracing the door-opener's attention. On a
rainy night few weeks ago party who
had ''done him three times without s.
much as a nodder," as the boy said, called
Justify. The boy heard him not but went
right along calling up other car
riages and waiting upon other people.
Officer Moore stirred himself and sent the
boy after the much-wanted vehicle, and
he got the party, but not without remark
ing in rather loud undertone, Gin
hearin' of his nibs," as he said, some
thing about not 'settin' up nights in dis
business for fun"
The boy has no home and sleeps most
OF the time, winter and summer, under
the broad iron steps that lead up to the
theater door. Once, some time ago, an
officer heard moaning noise under those
steps. and, punching underneath with
cane, found that 1t was the carriage col
lector and he was snoring in his sleep and
that his bed was only few old papers
spread on the ground. 1t suited him,
however, and he regards 1t as rather =
heightened arrangement. 1t is entirely q
matter of choice with him though, for he
is making money and could take care of
himself very comfortably if he wished.
He earns sometimes $l2 to Sl5 a week
from his various pursuits, tor he shines
shoes, runs errands and does odd jobs in
addition to his work around the theater
But, like so many of his race, he is over
indulgent in his fondness for shooting
craps and invests pretty nearly the full
amount of his earnings daily in the drag
net game. At times, when flush" he
Wi strut with the pride Of nabob and in
half an hour not have a penny to his
name. He rarely goes hungry, for his
credit is good, however bad his principles
may he