The National tribune., 1891-12-17
JACKS LUCK.
The Adventure that Befen Huekster's
boy.

10y.
ripe tOmatoesl Ten cents a quart. All
ripe all ripe" boy was shouting in the
street, as he walked alongside team in
which piles Of the beautiful red fruit were
lying.
1t was nearly o'clock. and after tho heat Of
the day golden haze hung over the houses
and trees, softly mellowing their brilliant
greens, puppies and browns. They were near
the end of their daily round. and would soon
be on their way home in the cool of the evening
to well-earned repuse.
"Well, Jack, boy. business has been uncom-
mon good to-day" said the boss.
There's a nickel to buy ice cream with,
and now we'll go homep
IL was Jacks duty at the end of the day TO
put up tue horse and give it its feed for tho
night, and as a rule he did not get of till
$50.
lie got only 81 week, but then the life
was healthy and he was a growing boy, and
10 be out on the open road in the pure air
was the best thing for him. He was trifle
later that night than usual, and it was 10
o'clock when he Joined his chums along by Sc.
Thomas d'Assisi Church and invited them all
10 come along with him to share his ice.
Come on, then. Jack, we're in for it, and
I'll put a cent to il" shouted one.
1t was now really dark, so they ran of
qnickly up by-lane, called Cheese alley, TO
get TO Mother SIMPSONS before she closed up
This lane lay at the back Of some rich villas,
the residences Of successful Boston merchants.
When about half way down one of the boys
pointed toward large mansion, aud said:
Look, there's two men creeping along the
wall at Mr.. Doveridge's house."
BE quiet" whispered Tom to his chums,
"and we'll see what they're up to-"
The men had not heard their approach, for
the thick soft turf in the lane had muffled the
sound of their feet completely. Curiously
enough, the wall along which the men were
creeping ended just below a window. for
tunate arrangement for thieves, almost allow
ing them 10 walk straight into the house. This
window opened into the larder
The men stopped when they reached the end,
and, raising themselves carefully, looked eau
tiously around. Seeing no one about, they be-
gan to cut the window pane with a diamond.
The boys could hardly restrain their desire
TO shout at them now. In few minutes the
men effected an entrance 10 the house aud dis
appeared from view through the opening.
% Help me up" said Jack, "and you come,
too Bob. Well see what's going on"
They cIept steaithiiy TO the window and
looked in. A turned.down gas jet in the ball
shed ray Of dir1 light into the room. One Of
the men was sitting on the floor busily at
lacking large apple pie and bowl of cream.
while the other, they afteward discovered, had
gone to visit the drawing-room in search Of
silver plate.
The man was enjoying his pie immensely, and
smacking bis lips in great glee, when Jack gave
a loud yell in the window. The burglar was
too old bird TO be much alarmed at the noise,
and he was on his feet ia an instant, revolver
in hand, ready for aR attack.
Jack, in his eageFness, had leaned too far over
the window sill, and his chum, equally eager,
lay heavily on him. When Jack yelled. Bob.
Zen. L. ~ -et1I
heavily against him. and the result WAS thai
Jack fell headforeu10st into the room.
The inmates Of the house had been awakened
by the noise and the other burglar could be
heard jumping down the stars as though pur-
sued by 6end. lie rushed into the room just
rs his pal " fired at Jack, who. noticing the
attempt, boldly seized the revolver by the
mnzzle and was shot through the hand.
damn him; shoot him in the ribs" roared
the Infatuated thief
"Get out. It's too late. We're done for"
the pie man said. aud he elambered out the
window. His partner had one shot at Jack,
but fortunately 10 merely blew hole in his
cap lie then bOlted
Crack. crack! went two rife shots from
the windows after the burglars. followed by
a loud howl; then silence.
"Jack Jack there away" cried the boys,
who were waiting at the lane, and who had
bIFh AuN AlNAA ANNhiHp hhe Nv eHoffNA NhAADs
Presently Bob's head appeared over the edge
Of the wall, and be said. Jacks dead"
Meanwhile Jack had been found lying in
sensible. his hand bleeding profusely.
Mr. Doyeridge AZ once sent for doctor and
put Jack to bed, and in less than 20 minutes
after his hand had been dressed he had regained
consciousness aud fallen into a sound sleep.
From that night Jacks lucky star came into
the ascendant. Dir. ThOs. D0veFidge was one
OF the wealthiest merchants Of Boston, and Jack
had really saved the good gRntlemen's life by
shouting. for the burglar bad entered his bed
room by mistake, aud would probably have
killed him at the least movement.
The housebreaSers escaped. and Jack was
Soon we'll again; but he went round no more
with tho tomato seller. He was taken into
Mr.. Doveridge's business, and in the course OF
10 years he became partner, and last Fall, on
the death Of his benefactOr, he reigned su-
preme.
lie is now worth 100000, and has good
cause TO bless the day when he got five cents to
| spend at Dame SIMPSONS candy store.