The Van Buren press., 1893-09-09
THE REAL GENTLEMAN.


Ono Case at Least In which the Clothes
= Failed to Make the Man.
l. "There! You look like little gen.
tleman!"
Aunt Susan gazed with smile of
loving delight as Johnny buttoned the
last button of his new suit.
Turn round, Johnny, so can see
how it fits."
Yes, it fits real good" she went on.
the smile growing deeper "Plaits
down the back"
Sailor collar put in Johnny.
Knee pants just the right length"
"And four pockets!'' f
Johnny thrust his hands first in the
two in the jacket, then in the two in
the trousers.
Vest sets as slick! The first bought
en- clothes you ever had, Johnny. Yes,
anybody'd take you for real little
gentleman"
Johnny looked proud, and felt So
He had often, as he went into town on
errands for Aunt Susan, seen boys
whom he took for gentlemen. They
were the ones who lived in fine houses,
and had on nice suits for every day,
and never went barefoot. Johnny's
heart swelled at the thought that
really no one could tell the difference
between him and these boys.
His shoes were not quite so new as
the rest of his suit, but he had blacked
them so carefully that they looked
very well. Aunt Susan was right
| Anyone would take him for a gentle
man.
"Now don't forget anything" said
Aunt Susan.
She turned him about for one more
look. and then put pocketbook In one
hand and basket in the other. john
ny took another peep in the small mir
ror on the wall, wishing it were larger,
before stepping out to watch for the
horse-car by which he went into the
town. Aunt Susan's small cottage was
on the outskirts.
The car in which he presently took
| his seat was not we'll filed; indeed, the
cars rarely were so far out. On one
side sat lady with soft gray hair, and
a face SO sweet and kind that Johnny
felt glad when she smiled at him. Near
her was another woman, older, and moi
SO nicely dressed; and with her was Q
Young woman who might be taken for
her daughter Both of them had their
full of parcels.
| the other side of the car was
with baby-a bright-eyed,
chattering, fdgety little thing, who
kept his mother on the alert holding
him in place: The only other person
In the car was boy of about Johnny's
age. And at this boy Johnny looked
with great disdaip.
His freckled face was clean and
cheery. and his hair smooth; but his
clothes were patched with just such
matches as were always very soon put
on the knees of Johnny's everyday
clothes. made for him by Aunt susan's
busy. careful hands He wore faded
calico shirt, which Johnny at once con-
cluded was not made at store, ana his
| feet were bare.
| As the car drew nearer town. 1t filled
nm. and the woman with the baby was
crowded close to Johnny. The orest-
less little rogue began to amuse itself
by pulling at Johnny's basket, then
laid its hand, little sticky with gin
perbread. on the shoulder OF Johnny s
new jacket. -,
.Johnny shook off the hand. and did
not smile. Baby did not appear to
realize that Johnny was gentleman
Tor it again put out the small, chubby
hand. this time grasping the sailor col.
lar. Johnny jerlsed h imself free, and
looked for sympathy at the sweet-faced
lady.
"Be still"
The baby's mother gave its hand
slap. The prettf lips drew themselves
into n pitiful pod, while tears gathered
in the bright eyes.
"Poor little fellow!"
II came in a soft voice from the bare
foot boy, who sat on the other side lie
! took off his hat-a very poor one, 'ohn'
nv noticedAand baby was soon laugh
inc merrily as he played bo-peer
with it, only stopping for moment
when tie young woman with the many
bundles dropped one OF them lie
sprang to pick up the parcel.
"Oh" he said, "it's broker
Sure enough, the paper bag had given
way, and let out number Oh howel ',
roots and bulbs. The boy quickly
n;cl,ed them up and busted himself
irving to get them into shape
"I'ye got string in my pocket, nc
said "Ilere." turning to Johnny you
hold 'em while tie en-
Rut Johnny pretended not to hear
The roots were freshly dug and hao
oreat deal of damp earth about .hen
Gentlemen always keep their hands
rhe Young woman managed to get
hand free, with the help OF which tne
barefoot boy tied up the roots IN tht
torn paper bag. ,so;a .h,
woman. II get out here eooo-"y
mother. I'll be home early
The bow carried her largest ouho,s
.ns car door. and touched his shap
nv hat as he handed it out to her nc nc
or ~ vent ON. and moment later tht
M ga woman started up in dismay.
"seer' she cried, pointing aiter ne'
a.nghter. "Shc's dropped hef purse
she don't know it, and she's gone oi
". She called to her daughter, but ,h'
o"e -. co much noise that her voict
could not tc heard. .r.
Don't you fret; I'll catch herr
| ~" Al, 4la xilubbv bow ha(