The Van Buren press., 1895-09-14


ont hls Slate and pencil, but he dropped
asleep over the first example. Indeed.
he was obliged to creep into bed the
moment supper ended, 20 dead tired
waa h2.
So matters went ON for six weeks
At . quarter OF seven In the morning
the head Of the Arm" went to hii
business; a. Ave in the afternoon hi
came home. His hours were 30 regu
lar that when, one day, the clock said
twenty minutes after five Mrs. Han
was somewhat perturbed, as no Johr
had appeared. Half-past five, and nc
sign Of the missing boy. The Roman
Catholic bell rang out the Angelus al
six, but John had not come. Hi
mother grew troubled. She could not
sally forth and go for her lad, since she
knew not In what quarter Of the city
his mysterious work lay.
The streets were white with snow
which had fallen the previous night
The wind howled mournfully dowr
the chimney. Mrs. Ham put the chill
dren to bed and then sat by the win
dow, straining her anxious eyes.
Suddenly she caught the sound oi
feet CROPPING their way up the outer
staircase. She few to the door, press
ing her hand against her heart, III a
vain effort to still its startled beating.
The light Of the kerosene lamp fell on
. boy about her sons age.
Johnny she gasped.
s'Don't be frightened, please said
the unknown lad. .Jobn's all right
at least, he will be soon. He wants
you, comel"
In her excitement the mother caught
up shawl, threw it over her head,
and, turning the key on her sleeping
children, followed the messenger into
the snowy street.
1t is true indeed that John had been
nearly discouraged; yet work he must
have or 5starve. Despair was simply
too expensive q luxury for him to af-
ford.
So when, after weeks Of hope de-
ferred which made his heart sick, q
man with hooked nose and weasel
like eyes spied him, and actually asked
II he were in search of Job" John
blindly snatched at the offer.
The man led him into q back room,
dingy with cobwebs which festooned
the low rafters and the one narrow
window. Here, on shelves, stood a
dozen rows of black, square bottles
The man nodded to him, putting fore
finger 10 the side OF his nose, and wink
ing knowingly with his right eye.
"Ever hear tell of Babbitt, boyi
benjamin. Butcher Babbitt? And hil
famous Beneiicent Balsamic Bitters,
Ever hear tell Of them, eh?''
A John shook his head. ~zai4ss
II want to know!' cried the hook
nosed man, well, to be sure! Tht
depths OF mortal ignorance is pro
diginus Benjamin Butcher Babbitt-
That's me; and these"-pointing will
his grimy fnger-"these is the Beneh
cent Balsamic Bitters Now, ther,
may be other folks laying in heather
darkness besides you. What say il
Enlighten EN- How? Advertise
That is my motto-'Advertise.' Th'
human race is saved when the virtues
OF Benefcent Balsamic Bitters is real
ICED. And how do ! advertise? Be
hold!'' : = r -
The man opened dark closet, from
the depths Of which he brought twt
huge wooden placards, connected al
the upper corners by padded leather
straps. On the boards, in large blacl
and yellow letters, John read;
big Boom!
Buy Benjamin Butcher Rabbits
Benefcent Balsamic Bitters!!"
Under the words was rude paint
ing, intended to represent an ange
blowing trumpet. From the harinp
mouth of the instrument came a scroll
on which were written the names Of
the diseases land they were legion
which the Balsamic Bitters were war
ranted to cure. 9 Hipt4 iFf3tY
"A neat and genteel business re
marked Mr.. Babbitt, bla ndly. "Jus'
tuck your head through these straps
and with breastplste and Q backpiecs
which protects you from the inclem
ency Of the weather, you saunter a
your ease through the city, thus OBJ
tanning healthful exercise and at thu
same time spreading the knowledge o
my bitters among those who are Ian
gushing for this very tonic. Shall WI
strike bargain, eh?"
John recoiled as the man came for
ward with the Gathering boards.
''Oh, couldn't carry them" he ex
claimed.
But benjamin Butcher Babbitt hell
him fast.
Come, now!" he coaxed. Your
just the right highith. I'll give yo,
seventy-tive cents day." .,s
lie did not add that boys service
were cheaper than mans, and tina
a broadshouldered young fellow lik
John was not often to be had for th
asking.
"Seventy-fve cents day." repeate,
Babbitt.
John hesitated. He did need tn
money so desperately.
First payment in advance" in
sinuated the man, swapping his wease
eyes.
John set his teeth and pulled his ha
down over his forehead. Hoist tn
boards on my shoulders" he said
grimly.
Words can hardly tell how the boy
| pride suffered as he walked along tn
street, ticketed in this disgracefu
fashion. Whenever anyone stopped t.
read the advertisement the bloc
surged into Johns face, and he felt a