The herald., 1894-12-25
ROCKSY THE NEWSBOY,
A TALE OF THE STREETS,
TBY HOMER @. KATE.

that only the con5thut Couthcb Vi Coiu
and unieeling world could leave. Stand.
ing on the corner of O busy street, he
plunged his hands into the pockets OF
his ragged trousers.
"Thirty CENTS" he muttered; "well
dat's enough to get a start on. Guess
I'll drop around and gee his niba' at
do HERALD Office"
Strolling along, whistling a bar from
After the Ball he sauntered into the
business office of the largest daily paper
in the city just as daylight began to
tighten the shadows of night.
"His nibs' was there. He was the
superintendent of circulation on the pa
per and familiar with all the newsboy
element of the city.
"Helo Rocksy, how are you this
morning?"
% tough" answered Rocksy. "Got
thirty cents and I'll have to dig up
enough wild dat to give the kids a
Christmas dinner. Say, ia de big blokes
of dis paper going to give US kids New
Years dinner dis year,"
"Yes," replied his niba,' think
co."
"Bully," replied Rooksy. ''me pard-
ner Swipsey amt feeling well. but l
guess he can get around to do de honoss
for dat occasion. Say, deres some style
about dat, none o. yer preachin' and
fussin' like desc church affairs, but just
a chance to get in and wade. We'll, gi'
me de papers, I'd better mosy;' and
with q CHEEKY good morning the little
fellow gathered up his HERALDs and
walked briskly away, fully intent on
doing business.
He was ss ahrewd and keen for hie
years as any large merchant in the city.
Constant contact with humanity had
made him good judge of human ma
ture, snd Rocksy had learned TO ''size
up" the passersby on the busy thor
oughfares with g judgment far beyond
his years.
Here's q nickel" waE his com ment
as 8 brawny workingman got off an cleo
trio car. his tin dinner pail in his hand.
"Paper-HERALD," yelled RoekEy-
''all about de Debs trial."
With q smile Rocksy answered the
vorkingman's nod and sold paper.
'Dose fellows always have Dc price"
solilouuizsd the newsboy. "Dsy stand
by US kids, you bet. II it wasn't for
dem we might go hungry. No use tack
lin dat fellow; he don't know he's
alive" he commented. with q con-
temptuous glance at an eastern tourist
who had just passed him.
The hours passed, and Rocksy, un-
tiringly pursuing his avocRtion, kept up
his search for the nimble nickel Luck
was against him. however, and
O'Clock found him with his thirty centn
in hs possession but with no increase OF
his funds.
Turning into Center place, a little
alley off one of the main streets, he ran
across another little imp of commerce,
warming himself in the sun.
"Hello. Swipsey; what's de matter"
was Rocksy's gresting. "Ain't you
wsll?"
"No." replied SwipHay; "It got too
cold, down in de den so come up here
to git warm"
what's de matter swipaey? what
ailin' ye?"
Dunno; just got hot fires runnin' up
and down ne one mint. end den dere's
q whole ice factory playing monkey
wild me. Hully gee, but feel tough !"
and the little fellow sank back on the
ground with groan OF pain.
Rocksy looked at him with deep con-
Germ. Swipsey was his "psrdner,"
playmate, companion, and between
them there was tie of strong affection.
"Say, Swipsey." said Rocksy, anx-
iously, "Here's dime; go in and get
some coffee and sinkers; it'll brace yer
up"
But swipsey only shook his head in
rejection OF this friendly offer. LES
tim tired" and the two little waits
rdaG 30
one OF the viaducts of the city, where,
under it's sheltering shadows, they had
builded themselves o "home." Il was
place hardly larger than @ dry goods
box. but it was home to them.
Say, Swipsey," seid Rocksy, "I'm q
goin' up town and see g doc and git
some medicine fer you. DE HERALD's
goin' to give us kids big New Years
dinner and yer wants ter git in trim fer
1T" But even this cheerful newg failed
TO rouse any animation in Swipsey.
Making his companion as comfortable
as possible Rockay hastened away, in
tent on relieving his chum al any cost.
Up the busy streefs he toiled again, try
ing to dispose of his stock Of papeyp
and &c last he found himself possessed
of his original capital OF 80 cents, hav-
ing sold out q portion of his stock at
two for nickel. fastening away. he
climbed the stairs of one of tho large
buildings Of this city, and with timid
push opened the door and walked into
the Office of one of tine leading phyei-
cians of the town.
'Well. my boy. what is it?" quss-
toned the doctor in kindly voice.
"Say," replied Rooksy. "whst do you
do when feller has red hot fire runnin'
up and down him one mint and de
next whole ico factory a monkeyin'
wild him"
The physician laughed at this novel
description end asked. Are you sick ?''
mo. but me pardner is," replied
Rocksy, land I wants ter etand yer off
for somethin' to cure him until makes
q stake, see ?"
San right" replied the physician "a
he turned and wrote out prescription,
81 guess the little fellows partner 10
laid UP with q cold; too much expos
ure." he murmered to himself.
Here" turning to the newaboy, "get
this tlled and come back tomorrow and
tell me how your partner is."
''All right, doc.," eaid Rocky, "muoh
obliged. Tll pay you in 8 day or two"
and overioyeo Rocksy rushed away to
abe nearest drug store.
Here" he cried, put dis up quick,
gee? Ne pardner's sick"
The druggist took the prescription
and soon had it compounded.
Here you are my little fellow-fity
centg--"
Rockav's face fell. "Hullv oeet I,ya