The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-05-20

(Written for The constitution by q uauSn-
ter of the late General ID. II. HILL
Sitting in my office one hot July morning,
intensely absorbed in a case, neither
heard steps on my stairs nor knock at my
door, so l was startled when boys clear
voice said: Mister, would you like to
have your room cleaned up?"
Looking up 1 saw Il small boy of eleven
or twelve years old standing in my door.
what is it you want. my little MANI"
would you like to have your room
cleaned?'
"Why is it not clean?" 1 said, looking
around.
mo, sir" answered the lad; look at the
windows; you can't see through 'em, and
the floor is powerful dirty
"Wel go ahead" | sad. THE windows
dirty, but do not talk To me- L am very
busy"
The little worker was very quiet. The
splash of water and the sound of scrubbinS
reached me occasionally. After awhile [
looked up and the boy asked: What time
do you go to dinner%'
Dinner? Why, / guess it is time now"
"Wel | will scrub the floor while you
are gone to dinner. l did not want to both
you moving things"
When | returned to my office everything
was clean and bright and shining. l gave
the boy 80 cents for the job and was going
to my work when | noticed a troubled look
the lads face.
us that not enough for the job?' I asked
in some surprise.
''Oh, yes, sir; but would you just as leave
give me a recommend as the money!
"A WHAT | asked. not understanding
him.
a recommend just a bit OF paper say
ing This boy knows now to clean up with
your name signed TO the bottom OF it,.
"Oh! a Recommendation, 1 said, 'augn-
ing. Are you n stranger in town."
Yes, sir; came this morning. and 1 want
jobs"
/ gave the bit of paper and he thanked
me as he laid the money down
Keep the money, too l said. You
earned it
mo, sir" he answered emphaticaliy, II
do not take double pay for job. and
this paper is worth more to me than the
money"
The building in which / had my office
was soon transformed into the house
cleanliness" if not THE house beautiful
Soap, wafer and a small boy went from
room to room, leaving their shining marks
behind them. My recommend" as the lad
called it, had been his open sesame.
/ could not help feeling interested an the
boy. He had sucn an honest face and sCch
a firm, resolute mouth that he looked as #
he intended to conquer the world. So.
meeting him on the stairs one morning. L
asked him where ne stayed at night.
We'll, l mostly sleep in the park. The
policeman there is good fellow. ard ne
said he did not mind a little chap IKE me
sleeping on the benches. When il is rdIa-
ing | climb into some barn and sleep on
the hay. but | never feel like IL is ;%nt.
sleeping i'm folks barns without asking
'em but if you do ask 'em they mostly
says no"
'But. my boy" I inquired. "do You not
make money enough to rent a room"
"Yes sir: makes enough. but | have to
save it, I have family to support
"A family to support" ] exclaimed in
surprise.
"Just so, sir \ little brother and sister,
and ! saves my money for them.
rs your fathe~ dead?' | asked.
Worse than dead, sir; he is a drunk
ard" the child said sadly.
And your mother?"
The boys eyes filed with tears, but he
said nothing, and naturally supposed the
mother dead.
l could not work that lay. was haunt
ed by the picture Of Il little hoy sleeping
on the hard benches Of the park, of litJle
boys climbing into barn when il raiacd
and having his conscience troubling him
for trespassing. The foxes have holes
and the birds of air nave nests. but the
son of man has nowhere to lay his head
kept going through my head like an old
song that viii not be stilled. one of GODS
little ones was, even as his Master, with
no place to lay his head.
| went from office to office that day tell
ing the story simply the child had told
it to me. Many a rough old lawyers eyes
filled with tears as he thought of his own
little ones at home well fed and well
housed, while this little one lived, as the
birds, out Of doors. Many miser's hand
went into his pocket that day; grumbling
IL the hands master gave his money, tut
the quiver of the hard lip showed That he
was glad to give.
Before night we had fitted up an old lum-
Der room in our building With bed, bedding.
chairs groceries, washing utensils, etc. |
hardly thought the boy in need of the gro
ceries. but l.. said if he would cook his
own meals it would he cheaper than buy
ing them. On this economical hint our
dude" bought the child an oil stove Tor
cooking.
Have YOU ever seen a plain. freclIe-f1ced.
tow-headed boy so radiant with happiness
that his face was beautiful 10 see: That
was the picture that we looked at tE2t
night as Tom was introduced to his le'
quarters.
A week had gone BY when Tom came 70
my room, leading a shy, handsome ooy OF
ten.
"This is my brother. sir. I sent for aim
as soon as | got ;hat beautiful room. y
boy likes to have his family with him.
After shaking hands with the iittle stran,
ger | asked Tom whether his brother would
be much help to him
Il don't expect him to do any work
am going to send him to school ami edu-
cate him as a gentleman. our IdtECI was
n gentleman" he said. holding ms hl-'e
head high. Then his delight in MS pto-i-"i
broke forth.
Il bought him some new clothes slr'
and some underclothing.' ne added soluS
'.,These are the first underclothes ne has
had since he was a baby"
He pulled up Jacks cuff to show me 'he
new gauze shirt l felt queer uSh'heS9
about my heart, and some difficulty IN
keeping the tears out of my eyes at the
bows unselishness. His own clothes We're
ragged and | was sure that there We're no
underclothes under his tattered lacFNt'
This small hero was getting very close 70
my heart.
got in the habit of dropping in on the
bows i'm the evening before going home. Inc
bright wood fire. the spotlessly clean room
and the boys happy faces were very lnNlt-
ing They would frequently persuade me 10
take some of their hot cornbread and a
glass of milk just to be sociable.
1--WE always have lots of milk rom
said 81 milk Mrs. Smiths cows and she
gives me a pitcher fun every morning anu
every evening, and when i have time