Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-08-17

ness at Springfield, and then go to
Providence. What am l to do with
you? 1t may be days before ] can 20
home" The kind man spoke hurried
ly in his perplexity.
Il can get through New York all
right, Mr.. Allen; I'm not bit afraid {"
"Well, we go together to Springfield,
at any rate. I'll telegraph to friend
in the city to meet you and see you
started for home. Lucky you reach
New York in the morning That seems
to be the only think can do, for we're
about the last ones left here. and |
don't know soul whom could trust
you to-"
Never you fear, SIR" Wallace was
only fourteen, and not large for his
age, but he looked exultant.
eyes, there's one thing more can
do; I'll give you my card and write on
it all the directions for reaching my
house. If Barclay misses you, or you
have any trouble in New York, you can
go to my house and stop over day
with Mrs. Allen. Eere, put the card in
your pocketboolk, where it'll be safe"
Thank you very much" said Wal
lace. "But / know exactly how to
change cars, even If no one meets me.
| We've done it lots of times. I've been
back from Bethlehem three times al
ready"
You'll be fast asleep when leave
you at Springfield. And you may as
well get to bed now" For they had
finished their plans on the train.
mind you write as soon as you get
home"
GOD keep the lad from harm!
don't half like it, but what can l do?'
said Mr.. Allen to himself.
Broad daylight. Alone in New York,
and penniless! Just little better than
dark night, and that was all; for Mr.,
Barclay was out of town and did not
get the telegram, and when Wallace
had elbowed through the crowd to a
little open space, he put his hand in his
trousers pocket, to find pocketbook,
money and ticket gone. Mr.. Aliens
card, too, and he had not even looked
at the address, Only his bag was left,
slung over his shoulder by its strong
strap.
Small blame If he felt like crying for
about five minutes; but he set his
teeth and said: 81 WON'T" as hard as
he could. There was plenty of good
blood in his veins; all his life he had
been taught courage and self-reliance
and he had the dash of romance which
belongs to every high-spirited boy
What should he do? He might tell his
story and beg for help to get home.
mo, sir! No Ainslie ever begged, y
The thought of stealing never enter &c
his head; he had been too honorably
bred. Mechanically he opened his bag
There were his few toilet necessities
there was nice lunch prepared fol
him at the Alpine house, by the pre-
caution of his friend. He need not e
hungry for one day at least. In the
bottom of the bag lay the blackin{
case, and swift remembrance came o
the postscript he had added to hi
letter of thanks. IF get hard up
can go into business with the rig you
sent me"-that was the postscript
"Tll do it and earn money enough t,
get home with 1t only takes two dol
lars. wonder how many shines
that means? Papa always says al,
honest work is honorable. l dom
think he'll care. Besides, there ism
anything else for fellow to do, as
can see."
These were the thoughts that passed
through his brain, and Wallace threw
his head back with the air of con
queror.
The first man to whom Wallace said
) "Shine, sir?" stuck out his foot me
chemically, and didn't so much as loo
at the boy when he tossed him nick
ell. He was too much engrossed in tn
reports of stocks in the morning paper
; After that, now and then, gentlema
gave curious glance at the unusua
sight of a clean bootblack who wor
decent clothes; but New York is fla
too busy and has too much of the III
expected to permit inquiry-with thi
!, exception, where personal rights ar
{ infringed one may ask questions; an
, that happened pretty soon.
r There came singing slap on Wa
lace's cheek, and he sprang up to COZ
, front a dirty young knight of tn
' brush, not quite So large as himsel
1 whose visage was, 10. say the least
, wrathful.
r "Wot yer doin' here in my beat, hey
r Yer don't blong here nuther &
t out o this! Git! l say. N.Y. amt h
4 swell! How many shines did it TAX
4 ter buy them cloe's-or did yer ste;
9 emp"
y Wallace had strong sense of trut
S and justice and he was quick witte,
Y After the first intense surprise and al
4 ger he saw that the little bootblac
o had certain right to an explanation
!. "I'll tell him just how it is" /
n thought.
e "See here he said, I'm not
/ swell-these are my everyday clothes
C'My" said the other, land | didn
# steal them. Some thief picked N
e pocket as got off the train-took a
d my money and my car ticket. ha
y this backing kit in my bag, and
J. just thought I'd earn enough to g,
home with. tn only take two dc
lars. I've made fifteen cents already
/" 1t was wonderful to watch I'll
/. change creep over that grimy face
IS from wrath to open mouthed admir-
t ton and genuine respect
X swell, yum! That's bullym w,
Y all he could say.
IS II don't want to take your custor
e ers," continued Wallace. Can't W
show me place where won't be {
1 -,