The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-09-16
PETE.

Pete's first appearance was sudden
The last hour at the free kinder
garten was drawing TO "a close, and
the children were quite breathlcs'
with their exertions, when creak'
ing of hinges and blast Of icy all
drew all eyes to the door, in the open
ing OF which Pete stood disclosed.
He was about years old, with a
smiling countenance, plentifully be.
sprinkled by nature with freckles,
and by art with CRIME and splasheS OF
mud. His blue eyes met yours fear
lessly, with merry twinkle, and his
red hair shOnc with fiery luster
through the crownlcss hat.
In dress, Pete was simplicity IT.
self. A pair OF ragged trousers, held
on over a grimy shirt by one dilapi-
dated 'gallus," one buttoned shoe,
from which the buttons had long de-
parted, their places being supplied by
a dirty green ribbon tied around the
ankle; the other, through which the
bare toes pecped appealingly, was
laced with Il lit Of yellow string
apparently Pete had an eye TO color
while the whole costume was APP
propriatcly rooted in by dilapidated
hat ShynesS never being one Of
Pete's faults, he spoke up briskly, as
he met the teachers eyes fixed in
wonder upon him. ''Say, Pm "A new
scholar. / want to jinc this here
school. l think it's prime"
can't take any new scholars; the
school is full"
"Come, now" he said little crest
fallen, but soon recovering, and wink
Ing knowingly at the teacher; II
amt none OF your charity scholar.
See! / brought my money along"
Here he opened one grimy fist, and
disclosed, nestling in the moist palm,
five very sickly pennies.
BY this time the teacher had re-
covered from her tlrst surprise, ana,
interested by this specimen OF hu-
maDity, asked: "What is your name?"
"Pete's my name. All these here
kids knows me-"
Here the children Joined in the
chorus: ave know him, Miss Katy;
his names Pete Brown, and he don't
belong TO no one much; just lives along
with Mis- Brown at Liberty Hall, -
one Of the worst dens in that unsav-
ory neighborhood.
Pete nodded briskly in confirma-
tion OF these remarks, and said:
''Say, teacher, take my money and
lemme stay"
II can't take your money, Pete"
At this Pete's face grew very
grave, while his lip trembled as he
asked: "Ain't it enough? l can't
get no more. teacher; il tooken me a
long time to get this" Then his face
frightened again. "Rut, 1 say, can't
yer take me for this and let me work
out the rest? l kin work, l tell you. 1"
"Pete." Miss Katy answered, and
her eyes were very misty as she looked
down into the face turned up so visit
fully, 'you can keep your money, -
and you can stay"
And SO Pete was enrolled as a kin
dergarten "kid." that being a sort OF
pet name in the neighborhood, and
turned his back resolutely upon all
his old associations. His satisfaction
was intense; he seemed fairly To alb
sorb the teaching in every pore, and
his beaming smile always called an
answering one into every face upon
which IL was turned. Gradually he
became more civilized in appearance,
the dirt retiring into the more out
lying districts. then finally rctreating
altogether. Miss Katy dared not
give him any clothes, knowing they
would all be sold for drink by the
dreadful old woman with whom he
lived, so she was obliged to content
herself with lending him some while
he was at the school, which shell he
would shed, with his usual cheerful
equanimity, when the time came TO GO
home. A numerous body-guard usu-
ally escorted Miss Katy TO the cars,
and Pete soon became the leader OF
this band, marching ahead with the
pompousness OF drum.major, his
voice rising above all the Others in
the shouts OF: ''Good-by, Miss
Katy" which always smote the air.
Perhaps the proudest and happiest
days OF his life was that on which nc
was trusted TO carry the teachers
bag. The former occupant OF the po
sition having been lately promoted
to a public school, Miss Katy said, "a
am going to let Pete carry my Dap
every day now, he is so careful" A.
there had been many applicants fol
the position, Pete's satisfaction knew
no bounds at having been selected
over those who were so much older
and had been so much longer at tn,