St. Landry democrat., 1892-07-09

took revenge for their neglect by be-
4 like to see money multiply it
self" he continued. " You say, you
fellows who haven't any money and
don't know the joys Of accumulation
you say it's sordid. Bah! There
ism t one of you who wouldn't DO as |
do if YOU had the chance and the
Brains, l suggested.
Yes, brains. Look at the farmer !;
doesn't he take pleasure in seeing
things grow? Is that mean and sor-
did ? He plants one kernel Of corn,
and who can measure his delight
when he takes four full ears from the
stalk produced by that single kernel :?
Well, I plant dollar, and when the
right time comes I scoop in a bushel
of dollars. That's my gift: [ like to
do it over and over again. AS for be-
nevolence, why, it's ont Of my line.
I'm not benevolent, and don't want
to be. Hard hearted? Yes, if the term
suits you. Let the poor take care Of
themselves it's none of my business
to furnish the world with waffies."
Just here a little NUT thrust his
head in at the door and shouted Ex-
lItt. 1lt COuIuIl 1ctNC ptCl l1ol
than eight years old, and was bare
footed and bareheaded. His hair and
eyes were coal-black, and there was a
curiOuSly earnest expression on his
face. I don't take to neWsbOys much ;
they are altogether too pushing and
insOlent, but this one interested me.
Perhaps it was because [ had had a
solid breakfast and felt Sood-natured.
There is nothing like broiled steak
to make q man philanthropic. If you
add to the steak a cup OF steaming
hot coffeo-with cream, mind YOU
and a toasted muffin, you become
temporarily. religious.
The eight year old NUT crossed the
room and stood Wisttully looking into
Cages face. He was evidently nerv-
Gus and excited for he stood on one
leg and then on the other, moving
restlessly every instant, but all the
time fixing his gaze on Caggs.
Have an EXtree, Mister?"
" No; get out, " was the only re-
Spouse.
" All about the big fire, Mister. -
" Didn't you hear me tell you to
get out -
But the little fellow was persistent.
At last, and in order to get rid of him,
Cages pulled a handful Of loose
change out of his pocket. At the
sight the boy fairly glowed.
Guess you're mob, amt you ?"
he said.
Cages looked at him, but said moth
ing.
" A whole handful! Golly! Say,
Mister, do you have as much as that
all the time ? Amt you afraid to 20
round alone ? If was as rich as you,
ia hire a cop to go wild me. -
Then came a curious crisis. The
little fellows eyes filed with tears
and his hands trembled.
Say, Mister"
"Well, haven't I paid you?
eyes, but my sisters dead to home.
She died las night, an I'm sellin'
these papers to pay funeral 'spenses.
Won't you give me some money, Mis-
ter, to bury Sis -
Caggs was simply dumbfounded. AS
for myself, | broke iEtO loud laugh.
It was a very melodramatic scene.
What cOnSummate actor the young
rogue was. Precocious was hardly
the word to cover the case. He was
an infant prodigy Cages was getting
rolled. He dipped the corner Of his
napkin into the finger bowls and care
fully wiped his lips; but I could see
that he was becoming very angry.
BURY your sister, youyoung scoun-
drel. I'd like to bury the whole lot Of
you"
Then he turned to me. "What did
I tell you, Hugh? The poor prey on
the rich. They won't work, aid
MY mother works." broke in the
NUT, in stout defense of himself and
his family. Il amt no liar, neither. A
Teller can't help his sisters dyin', can
he? TAIN my fault cos shes dead
He was palEd with excitement and
grief. There was defiance in his eyes,
too and he stood his ground against
odds.
Cages was puzzled. "Who told you
that story 2" he asked, sternly.
Nobody didn't tell me that story"
the boy. 1t aim no story.
It's true's you live. If you don't be-
lieve it, come along. Guess when you
see Sis dead, you'll know I amt sham-
MINI
Caggs actually had an impulse to
80. He hesitated, however.
"You darsn't," cried the youngster.
i" You're great big Teller, an can
kick me roun' de block; but you
darsnt go home wild me and see me
dead sister,"
Hugh, will you go with me?
Certainly I replied. It was
new experience for both Of us, curl
Gus chapter in the history of city life;
and was not sorry to read it.
by Jove!" said Caggs, as we
reached the street. L feel like a
fool. Now, if Julia were here, she'd
give that young scoundrel @ hot
breakfast, and believe every word he
said; but I'm made of different stuff. |
[ don't like to be played by boy no
bigger than a loaf Of bread. Wen
follow him, and then I'll have him sent
to reformatory, or somewhere.
Somebody's got to put stop to this
sort of thing, and we may as we'll be-
gin right now. Come, you young
gamester, 20 ahead, and we'll follow.
But none Of your lodges, mind"
He was so small that his head hard
ly came up to Caggs' knee; but he
stretched out his hand, and said:
"Say, Mister, if you think m goin'
to Jump, just take hold of my hand,
will you?"
It was a queer sight-two big men
and one small boy The boy was so
delighted at his triumph that he for
got to cry Extree!" and the two
men We're 50 embarrassed that they
hardly spoke to each other.
"Pretty business, this!" said Caggs,
at length, in disguised tone. He
looked las crestfallen as a dried
pear" 81 wouldn't have Julia meet
me now for q thousand dollars. It
would look, you know, as though I
|, Cd Coma hanlC On all ", nri II ii rloc