The morning times., 1896-05-17
This Page Is For Boys and Girls
Jakcy'S
o New.
O
O
Aunt
copyrighted, 500, by Mary Clarke Hunting

copyrighted, s96 by Mary Clarke Hunting
TOM
"Hi there, Jake! Wot yer dreamin' fur
in broad daylight? called ieering voice.
and handful Of mud spattercd against
his face.
This was not an unusual attention in
the alley, where mud was easily found
i'll the vicinity OF cutters dnd there were
times when Jakey would have accepted
it with unconcern, but now he said, sui
lenly: "Lemme me lone. can't yer?''
"S'posin' don't? Wot yer gon' ter
do bout it," questioned the tormentOr.
Wouldn't knock me down, would yer?
Oh, I'm afraid, See me trimbie.' He
swayed with knees shifting each other
as in terror. laugh went up from Some
boys playing at jackstcnes with pebbles.
''Oh, me, oh, me! I'm afeard of baby
Jake"
I'm light out. No use lvin' here with
all them furriners, anyway thought
Jakey disdainfuly. And with that he
shook the dust OF Turkey alley from his
feet aud battered down a side street,
through another. up another, and on until
the huddle of dngy buildings and dingy
humanity was left behind and he found
himself on one of New York S stately
avenues.
He was glad to get onto Broadway.
where electric cars shot back and forth
and teams were crowded together. ana
people jostled each other because Of the
throng.
He was admirng a toy shop display
when good-naturcd eXpressman called
that he might stop blocking the thorough
fare if he We're not too busy TO hold
bride. He waited for no second bidding.
Love for dumb beasts was strong within
hin. He had owned dog once-a little
limping mongrrl ana lis heart neariy Y broke
over its death. Now he patted the noses
of the restless horses and looked INTO their
eyes with happy Importance. and when
the driver returned be asked where the
team was going.
ITO Grand Central" was the answer.
Grand Central Jakey echoed eagerly.
How he had always lOnged TO see the
great station. say, mister, don't Yer
want l should go and help yer off with
them big bOXcS.'
TIE driver, a stalwart siX-footer, with
muscles of iron. grinncd appreciatively.
Reckon yer may come III case | should
get stuck on a lift.'
Jakey kept his word, and he found him
self with quarter III his hand-but the
gray horses and the shining express wagon
and the kindly driver Were gone. What
better place could he choose from which
to start out seeking his fOrtnue? The
sive to the touch; he squeezed i tightly,
meditating. His eyes fell upon box
among the many in the office. II was
marked in large letters: Miss Letitia
Prendergast. Greenfield. Conn He spelled
the words laboriously, hesitating over the
pronounciatiOns.
What's this ere printin?'' he asked Of
a man busy near by.
The man read the address.
why do YOU want to knOw?''
Jakey thrust his tongue into his cheek
Wants ter add ter me eddication,'
Then he stepped aside, grinning, as The
! man kicked a t him.
Why, hasn't | got an aunt in Green
field? ne humorousiy questioned OF him
it Won't she be orrul glad ter see me
though? Bet she viii. Goodby, New
York Rah, Greenfield Then he was
sa wing aloud: Here, Teddy. yer've
dropped her Handkerchief
She was an elderly lady, with q sweet
face under white hair, and she smiled
down at him.
Thank you: But, oh; dear I've lost
my ticket! Didn't you find n ticket To
| Greonfie'd in the handkerchief"''
How wide and innocent were Jakey'ss
eyes
Don't see no ticket. at all m"
How careless of me-" she murmured,
then let herself lie carried on by crowd
ing passengers.
Chucknng to himself, Jakey took a
pasteboard slip from under his foot.
"Blest ii / amt III luck, Ticket ter
| Greenfield, she said-an here It's ia
| key. me boy yer won't need ter steal No
ride i'll the baggage car! Thet comes o
| KNOWN how He winked after the
woman as she disappeared through the
| car door. NOW, III lie rtdin like the
President, with money in me pocket"
How long fore we gets ter Green
! fieId?''
Next station hut one. Due there in
| half hour" II was spoken shortly
! for a conductor is only a human being and
| this one was working over time JaSe1
heard him speaking almost as shortly tc
| the passenger behind II am MOTTO blame
If you've lost your ticket, madam. Fare
! If you please"
Il haven't the money. l thought l haG
| change enough but I've only this. II you II
| take it III send you the rest"
I Cant do it. You must get off at next
station.
He passed down the aisle only JakeJ
! hearing above the rattle of flying train
| the distressed protest.
Five miles from Greenfield / cam
walk it and / don't known soul there.
One glance showed Jakey the swee
old face that had smiled upon him whel
| he returned handkerchief For the frs
time conscience, which has small chance
for growth in such atmosphere as that o
Turkey alley, asserted its existence.
"Leddy,' spoken almost too softly ant
timidly for one whose wits had beer
sharpened by rough contact with the
| wOrld's elbows until his voice had aC
| uuired the shrll assertiveness of the gamin
Il say, Teddy, won't yer take this quarter