The Press., 1895-12-19
(For The Press) THE BOOT-BLACK'S CHRISTMAS.
BY K. H. s,


 peaceful looked the landscape, with it's far-away hills and the frozen river glis- tening brightly in the sunshine.
 James Druid saw little enough of this as he arose and, taking his boot-black outfit and a crust of bread from his tat tered coat pocket, proceeded to slowly descend the rickety stairs of his abode to the street below. Jimie couldn't go fast he was nearly half frozen and, to be sure, crust of bread is hardly a substantial meal. He was busy thinking too, this morning, of another Christmas, long ago it seemed to him, when he had a home, and father and mother to buy him pres ents and clothes.
 It is not necessary to go into the details of his fathers death-"'a railroad smash up-one man killed and twenty injured" so the evening paper had it's heading. No damages? Certainly not; he worked for the railroad. His mother was broken hearted. Who wouldn't have been? Then too, she had other troubles-her parents were rich, and she, an only child, had dis pleased them. Proud indeed, and foolish too, must be any man or woman who could withstand an appeal from their own flesh and blood and turn deaf ear to their entreaties for aid. Yet, such man was Jane Warner's father, and so she died unforgiven, and oh, so poor.
 Yet, as Jamie was thinking this morn ing, eff l could only have gone too" But for all his wishing he still remained and worked or starved, just as men might feel, for if there were no boots to shine little money came his way. To-day every thing looked bright for a good days busi- ness, and though his fingers ached with the cold he shouted, "Have shine, Mr.?" Everyone seemed to be in hurry, and had little time to lose or money to spend on shines. Noon came, and only two shines had rewarded Jamie for his pains. He was now very cold, but still kept on the street, and found the sunny corner, and was glad the sun still shOne. Just think, all the stove he had was that, and a cloudy day meant good deal 10 him. He was not like the common boot-black, for he had lived differently, and the talk and jibs of the common gamin were not to his liking. So they bullied him and laughed at him; yet how strange human nature is, they liked him under it all. After dinner trade was more brisk, and as night began to shut in Jamie felt we'll pleased for he had seventy-hve cents, and the best of it was twenty-five cents had been paid for one shine. He could hardly believe it when told to keep the change, i 1but recovered himself enough to say thank you ~-~ - .l....-.. ~r ,gs,..
 Were you ever a boy? If so, can you not look back aand see the days, years pago, perhaps, when you could stand hours and look in the show windows, and see the bright pretty toys, and almost imag- inc them all your own? This was the way Jimie did. He knew he was cold, but he felt d little bit warmer as the night wore on. Finally he started for home. He walked and walked, everything seem- ed changed to him; he could not find his way home. He began to burn as though on fire. There was no use, the snow he ate refused to quench his thirst. Finally he could go no longer. Seeing a storm door in front of large house, he made his way to it and exhausted, fell asleep. In the morning the servants found him there. The master was apprised of the fnot Ia nd This morning he must have made & mis- take, however, for he ordered him carried up stairs and laid in his daughters room. The snowy bed was all ready; the rich lace curtains and little knick-knacks were all there just as she had left them twelve years before. He summoned doctor and went down town to his office. The doctor shook his head saying, "nearly frozen and starved to death." But that was not all, such fever! He gave no hope, Id out no encouragement Days went by, still Jamie was delirious. Final Fly the fever turned, still Jamie was too weak to notice the change in his surround ings. Kept alive by broths and good nursing he finally noticed the change. The master came in to see him every day. Why he did so he couldn't tell. It pug zled him as much as it did his servants. For all that, he continued his visits to Jamie, and his whole nature underwent 8 change. He was less severe, and actually looked cheerful, something unknown for him. There seemed to be one object off which Jamie could hardly keep his eyes no wonder, either, for many another had looked with admiration on it before Ja- mic. It was picture of young girl, about eighteen, just blossoming into wo- manhood. It seemed to puzzle Jamie. The master had noticed him gaze fixedly at some object, and turning his head fol- lowed Jamie's gaze. He had not seen that face before for years, and he was foolish enough to have thought he hated the sight of it, but asS he continued to look, a tear stole down his cheek, and he turned away to' leave the room Just then Jamie spoke, 'Iknow! I know who it is Mamma, my own mamma! Oh, let me kiss her just once !" The master turned and clutched chair to prevent his A@'% I@ (0~ 0f ~