Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-05-22

Ierved with sundry other dishes which
made UP a frugal, but wholesome and
s1petizing meal, says the New York
Herald. In other words, an act q
Kindness he performed TO a certain in
diyiduaI resulted in his being invited
to a unique dinner, which he himself
declares that he will ever treasure up
az Of the happiest occasions in his
life.
And who do you suppose that indi-
vidual was? Who do you suppose was
the gfVer Of this notable feast?
No less a person that Master Thomas
Martin, a 7-year-old newsboy. And
here Is the story. Two years ago, or
when Tommy was a 5-year-oh fodder,
he began the work Of selling news
papers, in order to help support his
mother, who Is a widow.
Tommy lives in the city OF Topeka,
which, as you kEow, is the capital OF
Kansas. When the legislature was in
session there the members were al
ways eager to get the evering papers
as soon as they came out So all the
newsboys congTegated around the
newspaper Offices to get copies as soon
as they were ready. The moment they
we're supplied there was a ~breakaway
and a race for the state house. Now,
all the newsboys were older and bigger
and had longer stronger legs than lit
tie Thomas. So he always came in
breathless at the end of the line. TO
find that nearly all the senators and
congressmen had been supplied.
It happened one rainy afternoon that
Mr.. Leedy, who was then not governor,
but a senator, was walking toward the
state house. when he saw the gather
ing Of boys, the sudden break and b
uneaual race in which Tommy came
out q bad last. He followed and over
took the child, just as he had reached
the state house. Thomas was out OF
breath and the other boys were out OF
sight.
Where did the other boys go?"
asked the senator.
They beat me" said Thomas, with
a smile, for though beaten he could
keep up a stout heart Don't you
want to buy a paper?"
Yes, but what made you let the
boys run away from you?"
We'll, I guess my legs weren't long
enough" piped Thomas, still smiling.
"AII right" replied the senator
now II you won't make any noice ii
take you up In the senate chamber ant
wen see II we can't sell the rest o.
your papers. That will make your leg
as long as the big boys legs. The!
can't get in there"
Thank you, sir"
isn't this a pretty bad day for yol
70 be out?"
ooh. a business man can't stop TO
weather" cried Tiny Tim boldly.
Thomas readily disposed Of hi
papers when he was ushered into tn
: senate chamber. Then he came roun
z 10 where Senator Leedy sat and thanh
! ed him again for his kindness.
Now. see here said the senator. /"
e you will be as quiet as you were toda
i and move about with as little noise
will e II / can't get you in here ever
a day"
In fact, Mr.. Leedy made II his bus
a ness to 10 around among his fellow
Il senators and ask their consent to q
new arrangement. He explained tina
b "a a rule, he would object to the al
Il mission OF newsboys into the senal
k chamber. But as the other boys wei
q ali so much bigger than Thomas an
ali possessed legs of superior lengt
the best way TO stretch Thomas lei
q TO the right size was I let him in eveI
day II he promised to go quietly abol
j. his business of selling papers.
He found no difficulty in winnin
a over ali the senator, So he left a pal
for Thomas with the doorkeeper an
every afternoon the little lad appeare
fresh and rosy and found no difficult
. in disposing OF his entire stock
Il Newspapers. Meanwhile the old,
iads had to confne themselves,
formerIy. to the halls and Hobbies Of ii
state house.
n Last summer Senator Leedy wi
4 nominated for governor and in the ia
" he was elected. He took his seal
lis Jan. i.
r. Both on the occasion Of his nomin
ID, t,on and election one Of the first IL
ry ters Of congratulation to reach hi
ne was from little Tommy.
Il? when, on the goth of last Decemb'
We Mr.. Leedy came down to Topeka
e. make arrangements for his inaugur
tion. he was naturally the most sougf
after man in the city. The outer roc
on his temporary Office was crowd
iis with people who wanted to see the &c
III ernor "just for a minute" Some
ds, them were seeking Offices for the
ra- selves. others were seeking them
Get their friends.
nd A light rap on the door sound
o above the confused din.
"come in" said the governors 8
10 Rotary. And in walked Master Tho
ID as Martin.
"Is Gov. Leedy I'M" he asked.
"yes," replied the secretary, v
lac recognized the lad at once, Iak'
-. seet and wait a few minutes"
Just then It happened that the 9