The herald., 1894-12-25

| Get the DalRnce Iom my uotueE,
muttersd Rocksy, and his voice choked
as he softly uttered that name.
Mother. she's seepin' out on der
vision there arose the sight of a pale,
ead.faced woman, who had gradually
sunk away into dresmless sleep, while
her only boy had msnfully toiled to aid
he. in bitter struggle for bread.
Heartsick at his rebuff, Rocksy strolled
into the alley around the corner, and,
sitting down. began counting over his
nickels and dimes.
"No use," he muttered, "dey won't
grow dat way. Gness I'll have to make
borrow somewhere"
He started up to begin his quest when
big hand closed over his, and in an in
stant his money had been transferred TO
/ the pocket OF burly tramp.
Run along. sonny" said he; "dsre's
six beers here-seeY'
Poor Rocksy looked at him through
binding tears, unable to say a word, and
in momens the tramp had vanished,
leaving him utterly disconsolste. For
many minutes Rocksy sat looking do wn
at the ground. hardly able to think, but
finally pulling himself together. he NUT.
! tered:
| DhLe 10 40 lt, Uub l. IL DBK uab IOur
! bits or steal it. Guess I'll ask his nibs ,
he's my friend !" and. starting up. he
made his way to the office of the HER.
! AID.
Say" said he, sticking his head in
at the door of the business office, us
his nibs' IMP"
The clerk smiled at him-they all
knew Rocksy.
"No; he won't be here until morn
ing"
Crushed again, RocksY sought the
street.
"Can't wait dat long. Swipssy's got
tag have dat stuff before den," he said
to himnelf, and then began an earnest
quest for money. All that afternoon he
tried to borrow from his companions OF
| the street, but Chr ietmas was near at
hsnd and they needed every dime they
| possessed. Desperate at last, as the
shades of night drew near, Rockeey sta
toned himself on side street and re-
solved for the first time in his life to
beg.
A lsborer pasesd him and Rocksey,
with an instructive knowledge that here
was friend, stopped him, saying: "Say,
boss, can you lend me four bits? I've
got pardner dat's sick"
There was pleading. anxious tone
and a ring OF truth in Rocksey's voice
| that appealed at once to the name ma
ture. Looking kindly down at him he
raid, II would, my boy, ii l had it; but
Pm broke myself with a sick wife at
| home"
Rocksey wrung hie hand in silent
compassion and walked away.
Oats de way" he muttsred. "Dat
f1Dc \ a
but dat cute no ice wild Swipsey. He
amt got it and I'll try again.
Then the blare of the Salvation
soldiers and laasies filed by to fight an
imaginary battle with the devil.
An ides struck Rocksy---"Dsse fellers
are always doin' good, maybe dsy'll
give me lft;" and ne waited two
long hours while the soldiers aang and
prayed on the street, waited until they
had marched away to their hall waited
until after it was all over, and then
approaching one of the officers said {:
'Say, my pardner's eick; can YER lend
me hall until tomorrow"
The SGlvationlst, not perceiving the
anxious look in Rocksy'a eyes, smiled
and said: "Blsss you. my little fellow.
come and see me tomorrow; come up
to the barracke."
"Rats" said Rockey. turning away
disgusted; 'data de way wild desc
blokes. eli wind. Talk about religion
dat WON'T get Swipsey's dope" And
once again he sough; the streets.
Pasulng we'll known gam bling hell,
he ssw G. hsshily attireo man coming
out. Desc fellers is alwsyH liberal; Iil
strike him" And following him E. little
way, he tuggsd at his coat. Fhs gambler
turned. Say, boss" said R1cksy,
gimme half, will you? l neeaa it
awful bad"
TOO bad, my bcy." ssid the amber.
81 just ran up against an ace full end
went broke. hayeu't a cent
about me-"
And Rocksy turned away. utterly
crushed and broken.
He sought his tavorite alley and sat
down. with 3 bursting heart. Try as he
would he could not keep back his tears.
"Ohrietnas," be muttsred, what good
will dat do Swipsey? Talk about good
times on earth, as | heard q preacher
say once, dat'll do to tell de rich. De
poor'e got no business on de earth.
Dere'a de blokes dat preach on de street
none OF 'em III heip SWipsey." And
breaking down again he aobbed Bit
terly.
Suddenly a kindly hand was laid upon
his head, end looking hs beheld q
friendly smile beaming down on him.
Hello, Jim." ssid Rocksy smiling
through his teGrH.
Jim" was g reporter-a journ slist-
sometimes broke, sometimes flush; one
OF those rowing, rolling stones thet
gather no mose but lots Of poieh. A
steady sit" on any paper never suited
jim. He worked loag enough to earn
money to carry him to the next city
and then vanilned.
"Whet's the mattor, Rockey?" said
Jim; ''in trouble?"
Yep" replied Rocksy. "Swipsoy's
aick; and | need hall today to buy him
some medicine. Pm busted, and can't
dig it up. Been tryin' ell night"
Jim felt in his pocket. There WAS
lone half dollar-all batween hira and
hunger the next day. But with q CHEEKY
Come along, Rockey. I've got it," he
started of to the drug store to get Swip-
aey's dope"
Rocksy grssped tie precious vial,
and with eager footsteps hastened with
Jim to his home,
Hi, Swipsey !" said Rocksy gesiully,
I've got de stuff dat'l cure you.
Weke up, old boy, won't you?"
groan from the little fellow lying on
the bed was the only answer, and
Rocksy aank by the bedside with eager
words Htriving to cheer him I'D.