The state herald., 1893-06-23
"WHAT THE LORD.GAvE

The little face looked up from its
mass of sunny curls, and a small,
hand reached out as II to detain him
Joey threw her quick kiss, slung
mis- blacking-klt over his shoulder,
and started for the door,
"P'ease don't 90, joey" the sweet
little voice called. ME 30 afaid. "
The little fellow turned and saw
his baby sister sitting up In bod with
two great tedrs shining in her eyes.
He went quickly back to her. gave
her first an old picture card, then a
tender kiss, and the next moment he
was feeling his way down the long,
dark. rickety stairs.
Tot looked longingly after her
brother as he passed out the doos,
then, with half q sob, hall a sigh.
gave her attention to tho criiihpled,
greasy card Ne had given her.
Little Joe Collins was an old man
for his years. He had seen much Of
the world. or, rather, Of tho worlds
experience, and had received from 1t
a good many hard knocks without Ln-
Ing able to hit back II any ore
asked him how old he was he would
answer. Thirteen when nanny
died" But as only one person in the
world knew when this unfortunate
event occurred. no one who had evsr
been interested enough to ask evsr
found out just how much boy and
how much man there was to the 1T
tie fellow. And a great many did
ask Joey this question. for there was
something in his face that prompted
interest.
But IL was his answer that turned
this interest to sympathy; and then
came more questions. In this why
nearly all the business men who were
accustomed to pass the corner where
Joey stood. every morning knew
that he had neither father nor
mother, and that he had to work
pretty hard to make money enough
to pay for his one little room at
Nanny Gibson's, and buy bread and
milk for his little sister, But Joey's
business had grown, for he was
good boot black and AN intelligent
taiker. and men liked TO hear about
the grand boot-black emporium" he
meant some day to establish, and the
fine house he would then build for
his dear little Tot So Joey worked
on. day after day. making nickels to
save IA few every now and then. but
more than paying for them in long
hours OF hard and weary toll. Yet
he did not complain. for it was all
for Tot, whom he loved better than
his very life.
The room at Nanny Gibson's was
small. dingy affair, but 1t furnished
them n comfortable shelter. and.
what was a very great consid Grafton
with Joey, the old lady charged only
fifty cents u week. Nanny Gibson.
however. was very fond OF her little
dodgers. and for this weekly rental
she not only gave them the room,
but provided for y cot bod, two
chairs and table. and went In every
morning to put tho room In order
and give Tot her breakfast And
they. too. were very fond Of her; for.
though hor skin was black. her heart
WAS white and that was the
only color line Joey ever recog-
nizcd. Besides. It was shc who took
caro- Of his mother when the latter
was sick. and the old woman always
protested when he brought her dol
lar or two TO 60 toward paying the
funeral expenses which had been ad-
vGpccd from the bounty OF Nanny
Gihson's purse.
1t was a bright morning near the
erd Of March when Joey left his lit
tie sister SO hnrricdly, for he had
oversight and he feared II he did not
reach his corner by O o'clock he
would disappoint some OF his regular
customers. and perhaps lose their
trade. Tot was at first inclined to
feel hurt mt his abrupt departure.
brt when she looked at the picture
card he had given hcr she forgot her
disappointment and began TO prattle
TO II ms II II were u thing OF life.
1t may have been an hour since
joey left. when tho door opened
slowly and largo black face APP
peared. II was Nanny Gibson's.
She looked about tho room for mo-
mcnt. then stepped In. and seeing
that Tot did not notice her. quietly
approached the bed. She bont over
the little figure and looked ut the
card. then smiled a broad. good-na-
turcd smile. which finally developed
into hearty chucklc. Tot turned.
half frightened. half surprised. but
when she saw II was only Nanny
Glbron glceiul little laugh escaped
hor. and she hold out her arms TO DO
taken up.
"wni. wal, honey, good mawnin',"
suid Nanny. taking tho child In her
arms. "Ilow's yer fcclln' dis mswn-
imp
"Pit,y WE'LL" said Tot 'scc!"
and she held tho card up toward
Mammy's face.
So dc Lawd sakcs" exclaimed
tho old woman, "whar dyer git II.
honcyp"
Joey" said tho child. laughing nj
Mnmmy's surprise
"An' wizard no git Up"
Tot shook her curly head. She
thought moment. then her fncc
Frightening with smiles, answered.
"Gucss the Lord givcd II TO him"
Nanny took the card. Her ne
complIshmcnts did not include read
Ing. but rho could understand
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