The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-31

night. too. Jimmy shall have HE Christ
mas"
Trap wagged his tail in approval.
Tony dropped on his knees, and, taking
| the dog by the ears. looked him straight
| I'm the face.
TRAP. I'm ten years old, and I guess
| you're older"
Trap looked painfully self-conscious.
PLENTY old enough 10 shift for our
| selves" continued Tony; "and here's a
| way. I con play i've or six tunes on that
| old fiddle there. and you know some
! tricks It's Christmas Eve. and there's
! lots Of kind people out 1 guess we can
| earn some money tonight is It a bar
| gaing
Tony held out his hand. without an
| instants hesitation Traps paw was in II.
Good dog Then well give Jimmy his
| Christmas together. 1T can't be more than
half-past eight. If Jimmy is asleep well
| be OF"
A stealthy visit to the inner room salts
| fled him on this point
"NOw then. Trap, softly
The boy slipped on a shabby little over
| coat. Lucky it's too big fer Jimmy. IL
| just fits me-"
lie ioosened one Of the long stockings
| from the mantei and fastened it around
his neck for a tippet. Taking a rough
cap from the table, he drew IL down over
his ears He was now ready, so, adjust
/ ing his crutch under his left arm. he hug
| ged his fiddle tightly and started out
Come. Trap; but don't make no noise
Trap, who had been watching every
motion Of his master. intenty pricked up
| his ears and softly tipped across the bare
floor.
Tonv locked the door behind him and
reached the ground floor without meeting
anv one A moment later he was on the
street. and bending his mead against the
cold biting wind. He limped ahead Tor
about two blocks and was approaching
Third avenue, when gruif voice arrested
him.
Looking up. Tony found a huge police
| man towering above him. There was no
/ passing this obstacle, FOR Il completely
! blocked the way.
''I was gOin 20 play my nddle on IhlIu
avenue" said Tony.
"What are yez dom out alone? Hev
yez no parents?
"My mothers dead / live with my "a
Their at McGarrigan's Tenement on First
avenue 80
The policeman examined Iohy more
closely.
"By the powers, If ye're not Nick saun-
der's lame kid What are yez playin' tie
fiddle fer a night like this?'
II want to raise little money FER
Christmas. and
II know" Interrupted the policeman;
"and yer dad hasn't turned up fer half
p week I know him well. So we've ia
ken 10 playin' on the street. poor little
divill What right hev yez 10 play anyhow
HpV VcZ got q licenSey
Tony looked confused.
"A license?' he echoed.
"Yis, "A license-a permit. Don't yez
know all peddlers and street players has
got to be licensed?'
Tony had never thought OF a license.
re looked anxiously at Trap. Trap hung
his head. The license was too much for
him.
cant / play without a license?" asked
Tony.
"Av coorse We can. I was only tellin'
We what the law says. Go on wild yer 1dd-
lin and here's a nest egg FER ye.'
The policeman thrust coin into Tonys
pocket. The boy drew a Sigh OF reltef,
thanked the officer and started on.
Where are yez maxim ferY' called the
policeman after him.
II don't know ! kind O. thought I'd
stand on the corner where the people are
goin by"
TOP cold: ye'd freeze yer fingers. Come
along with me. III show yer place 10
make money
Tony followed the officer for block
and half to q low, broad doorway with
a row OF lamps above it, Opening the
door. the officer motioned to some one in
side. A large. red-faced man, who seemed
10 be the proprietor Of the place, stepped
out a low conversation took place be-
tween him and the policeman.
"All right, Jake, said the man; well
give him a chance. Come in, sonny, wild
yer fiddle"
'Go ahead" said the policeman, push
ing Tony forward. IT'S all right"
Tony stepped down three steps and
found himself in brightly-lighteG hall
crowded with men and women standing
about or sitting at tables laughing, talk
ing loudly. and blinking glassee. lie drew
back, dazed and frightened. The din con-
fused him, the blaze OF lights yearly
blinded him, and the hot air. poisoned with
the mingled odors of Tobacco and liquor,
choked him.
Come along this way" said the burly
proprietor, guiding Tony to the head OF
tie room. where a low platform stood.
Now den, show de crowd what ye kin
DO" said the man. as he helped the young
cripple up the single step. Don't be
skeered," he added you jest hit de fiddle
fer about ten rounds or so, and III see
that We gets fair play
Little treasured by this rough encour-
agement Tony leaned against the cracked
piano that stood on the platform and
tried 90 adjust his fiddle to his neck. His |
hands trembied so he nearly dropped the
bow Just then he felt a soft pressure
against his side II was Trap. The dog !
had followed Tony 10 the platform and
seated himself close beside him. Tony
looked down and caught Traps eye. The |
dog wagged his Tail and pushed his nose |
gently under fony's cold and nerveless
hand. This little encouragement enabled |
him 20 begin he raised hia bow and the |
first notes OF "home, Sweet Home" stole |
trembliugly RON the fiddle strings. When |
he had played five bars the noise began 10 |
calm down. Several Kissed for silence. |