Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-11-09
A BRAVE REVENGE.

"John Thomas," said . beautiful
young lady n she threw up the sash Of
the window at which she was standing,
"tell that dirty boy to get Oh the stoop
at once"
John Thomas, the liveried footman,
who was arranging the mats In an ele-
CANT coupe before the door. at once
moved toward the boy In obedience 10
bis lovely mistress command.
But the boy, evidently bootblack.
spared him the trouble BY arising at
once and walking slowly away.
He was . poor, emaciated. forlorn
looking little fellow. with his clothes
hanging about him in tattes and his
bare toes peeping through the wide
cracks In his i'll mated shoes, but he had
- much pride in his humble way a. the
fair lady at the plate glass window had
in hers, and there was an unmistakable
look Of wounded dignity on his begrimed
face a. he turned il for an instant In
the direction Of the speaker.
'I'll not soil their stoop with my rags
agkin," he thought rs the clear. cutting
tones ceased and the window slid softly
down 70 the sill.
But, having reached the next pave
ment beyond, he paused and again turn
ed his eyes to the lady's face.
She was extremely beautiful. remind
ing him Of one Of the bright prints be
had been wont to admire at y down
town booksellers, and for some mo-
menu he feasted his eyes on the charm
ing picture before him.
"A cat may look at king" was his
inward comment. And, leaning against
Q neighboring lamppost, he watched un-
| til she descended the broad stoop en-
tered the carriage and was driven away.
Then. with sigh and q shiver, for IL
was cold, windy morning. he slowly
shufiied away.
| II was some years ago, before boys
lodging houses or other hospitable Ne
treats were thought Of, and. like many
another bootblack and newsboy OF that
period, when without means he was
compelled to find food and shelter ~
best he could.
On this morning he had arisen with
aching bones from the interior Of al
empty hogshead, where he had managed
to pass the night. and after taking
long look at the rolls and coffee he could
not buy had wandered. he scarcely knew
how or why, into the present aristocratic
locality.
Hungry, tired and cold, be scarcely
had the spirit to look about for another
Job, but midway down the block he es-
pied two gentlemen engaged in conver-
sation, and with an effort be quickened
his steps toward them.
Have shine, sirP' he asked, glanc-
ing mp mt the elder OF the two, . stout
old gentleman, faultlessly dressed and
carrying gold headed cane.
But . cool Clear outr' accompanied
with . wave Of the gold crested stick,
was his only reply.
''Those young rascals ought TO be sup
| pressed by the police as q nuisance, he
heard him remark to his companion a.
he turned away.
At another time he would nave Ne
turned the old gentleman's opinion with
. sarcasm as cutting as his own. but
now he was quite too discouraged and
miserable to reply, and, sitting down
this time Oh the curbstone. gave him.
self up to his own dismal thoughts.
| Might have know'd better'n tel
come over here among the swells any
way" was his inward comment. but II
went no farther, for be was now ac-
costed by big countryman, who. in his
homespun rig, looked fully as out OF
place on the avenue as the young boot
black himself
That's q bootblackin arrangement,
amt it?" said the man, nodding ut the
box and brush.
The boy nodded in return.
"well. then. bub, You up and gloss
my shoes. will your
This bub was only too glad to do, a
faint smile fitting over his face the
while.
In q few minutes the "cowhides"
were, as the owner declared, "all right,
and. surveying them complacently, he
fumbled into the depths Of his great
pockets for the change.
You're what they call perwesshunal
bootblack. hain't your"
"Zactly."
"Then, by jimmy. yer poor speci-
men nv the craft; look as though you
hadn't tasted cowfcsh in u month.
"Yer right there, boss. No more
have"
Thought so," WAS the rejoinder.
land here's Is cents fur ter buy yer
breakfast.
"You are q bully cove" was the
boys reply as he pocketed the money.
"when you come this way az in, III
shine you up for nothin."
Fifteen cents ut such time was as
good as fortune, and away sped the
boy TO purchase breakfast.
There is nothing which reflects 30 di-
rectly ON the entire system as good
breakfast, particularly when there is a
strong northeastern wind sending its icy
breath to the very marrow Of ones
bones.
And 70 the knight Of the blacking
brush found it ON that chill November
morning, all his former spirits return
ing AZ the last morsel went ravenously
down his throat.
With bound he was o3 down the
street, and soon, a. luck 0ould have 1t,
turning in the pennies ~ fast ~ he
could reasonably desire.
Itwas near O'CLOCK that same even.
Ing, and our young friend. standing be-
meath the light Of q street lamp. was
turning over in his mind whether he
had best spend q portion Of his earnings
| In q theater ticket or save il for the
morrow when some one lightly touched
him on the shoulder.
Turning suddenly, he beheld the
ebony visage Of a young colored waiter
with whom he had slight scQuaint-
1Dca
"How are you, sambo!" be asked pat
ronixingly.
"Oh, berry we'll. tank'e. but I'ze in
powerful hurry. an cum over dis way
| 70 hunt some pusson to DO me favor.
"All right, shady. Then I'm the one
yer arter. How much you goin tee guv"
Just q shillin, an it's only to tote
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