The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-31

tracted by six or eight other small col
ored boys crying "Aie, sab! Me, SAN! 10
a gentleman in their midst.
All this seemed more interesting than
watching the pig walk up and down the
dock. and Horace shuiiled along the
dock TO join his friends
cNoW" said the gentleman to the
boys, you all stand in line, and when l
count three l will throw a copper into
the water for you 10 dive for"
Eight grinning little shining bronze
figures formed in line. zone, two, three"
shouted the gentleman.
simultaneously with the splash in the
water was the click of queer-looking
black box the gentleman carried.
The water was so clear that one could
see down many feet underneath to where
the boys. looking for all the world Ike
spider crabs. were fighting for the piece
OF money Then the head of the victor,
with a broad smile Of satisfaction on his
face. appeared at the surface OF the
water.
This episode was repeated many times
until the gentleman, satisfied with his
mornings work, departed.
Now. all this was an everyday occur
rance TO Horace, for most Of his friends
who could manage to evade the vigilance
OF the schoolmaster spent their time IN
this way, earning many penny by diving
for visitors. He, however, had attended
school regularly until this morning. The
fact that he did not care for swimming,
not being as strong as most boys or MS
age. kept him out OF temptation. He had
been on his way to school when he first
stopped 10 watch the pig. Now II was
TOO late to go, and ne dared not 20 home
as his NANNY" would scold So, being
curious TO know what that black box was
h0Ng
following in the gentleman's footsteps he
went along too Several times the box
WAS held up, then came a click. and then
the little party passed on. But the gem
tleman seemed as little troubled by his
escort as though ne We're alone.
Finally Horace screwed up courage TO
| say:
please. sab, what may dat be for?'
"To take pictures with" replied the
man. "You just stand over there by that
palm tree ard ! viii take your pi,ture
| There! It's all taken. Now, II you want
| 10 come up 10 the hotel tomorrow morn
ing 1 -yill show 1t 20 you"
"Tnank you, Sah," said Horace.
And thus Horace, though not meaning
| TO, began TO play truant
The next morning he. az usual. started
! for school on his way. however. he had
| TO mass the hotel, which brought TO mind
the photograph, SO, hluihB MS Doohs uhu'.
| some bushes, he went into the Motel
| grounds and up to the portico, now full
| of men and women, selling oranges, shells
| and flowers.
| As it happened. the gentleman with the
| camera came out Of the motel just as
| Horace arrived upon the scene.
please. sah," said he timiGly. may |
| see de photograph
why, my little man. you are here
| promptly, aren't your Yes. / will show
| ID TO you" And from the roll of photo
| graphs he had just been showing TO the
| lady with him he produced the picture OF
| Horace.
! The child's face exhibited such great
establishment that the bystanders laugh
| ed. He was a new boy and everything
| I'm the way OF novelty seemed to amuse
| the guests. IL was now too late to go 20
school that day. so he hung around the
hotel. All this was more Interesting than
studying Then h. soon became very
shrewd In deyisins ways Of earning pen.