The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-19
in it. "-George Eliot.

Glass; Ever kind and generous, he never
let an opportunity slip for doing kind
act to ward any poor little street urchin
like himself. Lefa an ORPHAN at the ten
der nge OF SIX he had struggled with pow
erty and Ill words like a man sleeping
out of doors in the most gevere weather
and begging for bread In the day. only
to be passed by or turned away. His
eyes were bright and full Of intelligence.
and his halo was golden. and hung In
ringlets about his neck. His face. i am
very sorry to say, was never very clean.
and his hair looked matted and tangled as
IL it had never been combed. Poor fell
low, l wonder IL he ever felt a mothers
gentle fingers running through his soft
hair. or a mothers kiss upon his fore
head.
One afternoon he was walking down the
street looking unusually sad, for IL had
been a very dreary day to him; people had
seemed more cross and uninterested than
usual and he was hungry. for he had gone
without anything to eat since early morn
ing, and then he had only few scraps, and
that left from the day before. when he
saw a pale little newsboy roughly thrown
down by bury policeman, who was in
a hurry to reach a passing carriage.
The little fellow was so badly hurt that
him where he lived. he only pointed to an
alley and family whispered Fourth
story, second tenement house."
| Benny called TO some men, who were
| working near. and mad him removed to
| his attic room.
But who had b.sn watching this kind
act? 1t was lady and her little girl. who
| were sitting on the porch Of q handsome
| dweling-house opposite the scene I have
been describing. They had seen every
| thlng-the policemans cruelty and Ben
MES kind deed.
Mamma" said the little girl, cant
we do something for that little boy? His
clothes are very ragged and his face Is
dirty. and then he was so kind TO that
| poor little newsboy. Cannot we let him
run the errnnds for the cook? Please,
mamma" pleaded the little one, II know
he will do right
Il shall think over It. darling" said
the mother, but now 1t Is time you were
taking your walk. / will speak to your
father about 1t, and tell you what ne says
tomorrow
That evening after tea Mrs. Leslie Dor
that was her Dame) told her HUSBAND
the incident that had so filed their htue
daughter Josie with love and pity.
81 think" said she, 1--WE could put him
In some easy work, and then he would
have a home and some one TO watch over
him"
.WeII." said Mr.. Leslie. az Will let
him be my errand boy-that Is, III ne
wishes It and does not loiter on the way
when sent on an errand.'
Little Josie was overJoyed next morn,
ing when her mother told her they had
decided to hire him to run the errands.
Next day, when Benny was going down
the street. Josie beckoned him over ana
took him to her mothers room. She
asked IL he would like home. where he
would be we'll fed and clothed. and nave
a place to sleep.
Benny was overjoyed at such good
fortune opening for him. He thanked the
lady and her little girl for their Kindness,
and seemed perfectly well pleased but
in a moment his face clouded, and he
said: But what am TO do with my little
friend? 1 cannot leave him. He is H.
and will need me-"
"What frfend?'' asked the lady. inruir-
ingly. II thought you were an orphan
left alone with none 10 care for you"
IT am; but one day l saw poor little
boy thrown down by policeman, and
have cared for him ever since, and /
cannot leave him alone with no one TO
care for him."
"Oh. / understand now" said the lady,
land 1t is we'll of you to think OF other
people before yourself; but l will have
him attended to directly. He shall be
sent to a hospital, where ne may get
we'll But all of this is owing 10 the
kind act Of yours, OF which L saw ana
from Winch I learned yaur character
And now / will show you 10 your room,
and yhen you have washed and dressed
in the clothes up there, come down, and
/ will give you something 10 do 10 keep
of I'D ba lat h.
ir~'v
Wren Bel ny came down he was attired
in a very pretty sailor suit. and for once
his face looked clean and his hair hung
more gracefully about his shoulders. Mrs.
Leslie then sent him to her husbands Of
fee where he was 10 amuse himself for
the evening and get n little more ac-
olainted with the place and its master.
His herefactor tried in every way TO
teach him the need OF cleanliness, which
he In vain endeavored to do. He was al
WAYS kind to the gentle little Josie. whom
he loved as a sister. although far above
him In his present station.
Days few swiftly and pleasantly by
for Bennie, who was delighted with his
new home, and his benefactors were
equally as well pleased with the ways
of their little errand boy.
But what had happened TO Bcnnie's 1T
tie frieId you may ask. Mrs. Leslie had
him sent TO hospital. where he fingered
Few days and died Bennies sorrow was
very great for ne had learned to love the
little newstoy he had rescued
Mrs. Leslie was so pleased with the
gentle inoffensive ways OF their little
errand boy that she proposed TO her hus-
band adopting him, TO which he readily
assented.
Bonnie was one morning Informed by
JOSIE, who ran up to him. kissed and
Rugged him. saying: You are to be my
brother, and / am so glad" with which
Bonnie joined in. Then going up to his
benefactors he put his hands into theirs,
saying hope / may be good son to you
for all you have done for me.
al think you WILL" said MIR Leslie. "or
at least ! hope you will try TO be kind
brother to Josie, for know she loves
you"
Eyes, 1 do" said she. kissing him
9
with him" said she solemniy.
1 will only add that Bonnie lived
happy life with HIS parents and sister
who had adopted him.