The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-11-11
Passing 1t On.

an end to Georges hopes loI TIE priAe.
It's what he's been working up for his
essay. wonder how much he'd give
to have 1t in his hand just now!'
Gilbert slipped the paper into his
pocket and walked on.
"He always goes out to his home on
Friday afternoon. It's only an hour
to train time now. [ heard him tell
Jack Niles that he only had tomorrow
to get his essay in shape, and now
here it is in my pocket. Go and give
it to him L. George isn't the
kind of fellow that I'd choose to 60
half mile out of my way for. He's as
disobliging a chap as | ever saw.
Never cares bit whether he can help
fellow out or not. I've tried him.
No, George, my boy, you can 60 out
whizzing to your fathers and I'll take
good care of your essay till you come
back"
Gilbert was on his way to the house
of one of his friends. AS he stepped
briskly along the sidewalk he met boy
carrying a large basket on his head.
Gilbert turned quickly to keep out its
way, when a person Immediately be-
hind him tried to pass the boy on the
other side. The latter SHE'D toward
Gilbert knocking his hat off. Making
a studded effort to recover it, Gilbert
lost his balance and stepped off the
curb into the gutter, muddy enough
from recent rains to make it a bad mai
ter both for shoes and hat. He gazed
with dismay at the damage. The
house where he was going was one to
which he always wore his best clothes,
as we'll as his best manners. What
should he do with such hat and such
shoes? The first, after little rubbing
from o piece of paper which he picked
up, followed by one from his handker-
chief, was not 80 bad; but his sho:
were in a sad plight. AS he rubbed at
them with what paper he had left, a
small boy came near, whom Gilbert
recognized as one of the youngest pu-
pills in his room at school.
Say" said the boy, Them ought to be
BACKED"
"Of course they ought" saih Gilbert
impatiently, "but there's never any
bootblacks along here"
"Ther's all old blacking brush in
here to my house." said the boy, point
ing to small house near. "Pll bring
it if you'll wait a minute" He ran in,
to reappear with the brush. " Sit
down." lie said, showing Gilbert dry
step.
The brush was old. but the boy
worked 80 faithfully at the shoes that
he soon rendered them quite presenta-
BILE.
"You're a fine little chap" said Gill
bert, when he was ready to 60 on.
"When 1 come this way again I'll give
you a nickel"
"Don't want nothing" said the boy,
with a bright smile.
"Why-here ~ said Gilbert, who
had been feeling in his pocket. II
didn't know that had nickle about
me-" He held it out, but the boy
shook his head. Don't want it," he
"But why don't you ?" said Gilbert,
in surprise.
"Cause don't,n he persisted.
"Itll get you some peanuts" said
Gilbert. ,'D0u't you like peanuts ?"
eyes, but I don't want that"
"Look here" said Gilbert, "if you'll
tell me why you don't want it I'll-I'll
give you the nickel"
"You'll laugh" said the boy.
mo, I won't.
The boy came close up to him.
"Say,n he said, don't you know what
the teacher was saying to us yester'
day ?" , ,o;s c,,o.+
"She said that it makes folks feel good
to do something for folks-something
kind. Does it you"
"Does it me what ?"
"Make you feel good to be good to
folks? ?n
"Oh," said Gilbert, hesitating, q
suppose So" .,
$50 won't take your Nickel" and he
ran away before Gilbert could speak.
Gilbert walked on faster than before.
Then his steps grew slower. AS his
thoughts became buster little color
arose to his cheeks. He laughed aloud
then grew sober. "Well-perhaps
Miss Ward would be encouraged in her
talks if she could hear that little chap.
Do something kind to make him feel
goodT I suppose that I'm better
taught than he is, but I don't believe
that ever really, out and out, tried
the feel of O kindness in my life"
Slower grew his steps. 1t must be
near Georges train time. 1t was a
quarter of mile to the station.
"Does any one suppose that I'm going
TO be such q simpleton as 10 spoil my
whole afternoon for George and his
essay ?" be asked himself, impatiently.
A few more uncertain steps, then he
wheeled sharply about. II don't be-
lieve that I'll lei a poor little fellow
like that get so far ahead of me. If
it's worth anything to him, it is to me.
Now here goes for run against a
train"
"Here, George" he said, breathless-
ly, as he reached the station just in
time, "this is yours. 1 found it. You
want it guess"
Georges face frightened as be
glanced at the paper which Gilbert
thrust into his hand. "My essay |!
Why, I was in despair about it. How
good of you to run me down at the
last minute"
"Thats all right; good-bye," said
Gilbert, as the bell rang. 49,
"I'll never forget it of you-never !"
said George, fervently wringing Gil
bert's hand as he stepped OH the train.
"And you'll let me do something for
you to show how I thank you"
"Oh, never mind that" Gilbert