The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-12-02

important'n if you was senGin' money
in 'em. You wouldn't think so, bu,
that's what they say. And if anybody'd
be Likely to write.important things, it's
Mr.. Lane.
Strengthening himself with the I'm
portance Of having to do with such,
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 direction of the post
Office, which was some little distance
further on.
What's all the crowd? Somebody
run over, or somethin'
Jim stood for moment after round
ing corner and coming face to face
with scene OF confusion common
enough on city streets. Men and boys
were running from different directions
toward certain point; and in a very
few moments several hundred people
collected.
Jim paused for a moment. He
could easily keep along on the other
side and accomplish his errand with
out delay. A feeling in his heart told
him this was the thing to do; for a
boy who sIoES to ascertain the why
and the wherefore of every street com
motion will have little time for any
thing else. But he turned little,
allowing himself to mingle in the
crowd.
It's only couple o! bootblacks, he
heard some one say, got knocked
down and run over.
It was close upon where number
of Jim's companions used to gather for
work. What if it should be any OF
them? More willingly he moved with
the crowd, until he found himself un-
able to choose which way he should
move.
Make way Some members of the
police force were clearing the way for
the approach OF an ambulance. Jim
was hustled rudely to one side, and the
package of letters thrown from his
hand. With cry OF dismay be stop
ped to gather them. Out of the way.
you young slmpleton
He was forcibIy raised to bis feet
aid pressed far to one side. Counting
his letters, he found that two were
missing. He was obliged 10 wait unit
the crowd dispersed, and when he
made his way to the place where he
had lost them, no letters were there
Poor Jim mailed the recovered ones
and then began wondering if he should
ever go back to the office.
What'il | say if he asks me? II
tell him, he'll think I'm a good-for
nought, and as not he'll turn me of
If | tell him l mailed 'em all, p'raps
he'll never find 1t out. Yes, pll &C
right back. If he does find it out, ht
can't do no wOrse'n lick me, and tina
won make me feel half so bad as til
losln' EN-.
jim went back andsaTe his best
%ent!0n o tie performance, of hi
duties, But it was long and heavy
day. Mr.. Lane had a pleasant, trust
ful way with people with whom hs
came into contact, increased by pity
and liking for Jim, which led him tt
treat him with kindness entirely new
to the little street Arab. lin coulC
easily have borne harsh usage, but thi
was too much for him. Every plea
SAINT word spoken 10 him seemed tt
appeal directly to his sense of right, sc
often in the cruel fight for existence
which had been ordered for him, dulleC
and smothered, but now awakened into
new life.
As night came on, Jim sat on boz
in the hallway, outside the office, ant
did little very earnest thinking.
l can't stand it no longer-no,
can't, he said to himself. He thirkin
me decent, honest sort of a boy, a
ism the kind to do mean, underhant
things, and me losin' his letters anc
never tellin' tim. P'r'aps them letter
were important. I'd rather be turned
off any day'n be goin' round here ant
he lookin' at me as he does.
lin gave himself no time to chang'
his mind, but the next moment wa
standing before Mr.. Lane. The eye
which Jim lifted were very troubled
ones, but full of honest purpose Il
acknowledge his fault, did not shrinI
before the keen, lnquiring ones whicl
met them.
Well, what is it? asked Mr.. Lane, a
Jim hesitated, scarcely knowing how II
begin.
Them letters, he stammered, tn
color growing deeper on his alread
flushed face. You thought | mailet
'em all, but l didn't. l lost two c
'em.
Mr.. Lane looked gravely at the sma
figure standing in such utter self abase
ment before him. Everything about
the thin face with the appealin
eyes, the STOPPING shoulders, and tn
air of general deJection-seemed t
unite in telling the story of how har
life had been on him, and how he-e
was his truth telling, which
result in the casting away
good fortune which r.
him. The gravlt,
| like be-
Lane.
Yes, sal,