Middletown transcript., 1897-07-17

promptly hung himself over the banis-
ter to see who it could be. "It's Bill" j"
he cried; and before the maid who had
opened tha door could collect her wits,
Royden had Bill upstairs, with his
mother and the delegate.
Poor Bill was sadly out of breath,
and very much distressed in his mind,
as any one could see; but he spoke up
like the man he was without waiting
to rest. "Please, ma'am," he painted,
"I just heard ON it, an l coined to see
you, an tell you, an to make 'em get
out-the'y no business, jist cause | told
few fellers how good you was to meW
Bills breath fluttered, and gave out.
Unable to speak, he stood glowering
fercely at the street boys, and leaning
weakly on his crutches.
"Sit down Bill" said Mrs. Cutler;
and he sank into the offered chair, eja-
culating: "'Tain't. fair-'tain't fair
at ALL That's what say"
At Bill's unexpected appearance and
stinging rebuke, the ragged company
assembled, even to the brave young
leader, seemed struck with consterna-
tion. They were little fellows for the
most part, and I am sure it had never
occurred to them that they ware doing
anything improper in thus coming to
Bills benefactor for new clothes. They
were simply taking atlvAn age of very
good opening; and now to be told, and
by Bill, that it wasn't fairI
But the independent spirit Of the
street quickly asserted itself, Billp
"Where'd you get them dude togs you'se
wearingP" "Ain't you 'shamed ov
yer own manners, then!" and many
other such cutting remarks were flung
at the bootblack, until Mrs. Cutter rose
and held up her hand for silence.
II am sure, boys" she said, "there
will be no urgently quarreling before
lady," Immediately the boys voices
fell into low. anxious murmuring,
-altho sullen looks we're still cast upon
Bill. But Mrs. Cutler Immediately
seized her opportunity and made little
speech.
Boys" she said, you are all strong
and well, are you moi ~. There was a
sound assent. "Of course" she CON-
tinued, "you will see, .hen, that if l
had only one suit of clothes to give
away, Bill was the boy who ought to
have itp
The boys fixed their eyes intently on
the lame bootblack, who, now that his
anger had aied out, sat there in his
chair, looking very tired and weak.
Then, as tho the boys all had but one
heart, and that had been suddenly
touched. a wave of understanding SYM
pathy swept through them. "That's
sop "Yes'nl" "Bul's a triumph"
''Your rightp ard many other such
exclamation filled the air.
9 ell, boys, | had only one suit to
give away" And thus Mrs. Cutler
finished hel speech.
The boys stood still for moment,
and then movement began for the
stairs.
''Wait minu'p," the lady said. A
very brilliant idea had come to her,
and she quickly drew Bill aside for con-
sulj alton.
Tell the boys to come in here, said
Mrs. Cutler to the little spokesman, af-
ter she and Bill had flushed their short
talk.
want to tell them something"
So the leader with the freckled face
persuaded his following to enter the
sitting room, and there she maGe the
boys sit down; on the chairs, on the
couch, on the foor-everywhere. Then
in the cosy freight, looking around
upon the young, upturned faces, Mrs.
Cutler unfolded her plan.
"Boys," she said. 81 think you would
all like to have your cllthes nicely
mended-those of you, at least, who
have no one at home who can attend
to it-would you not? And then the
boys all declared, qui.e eagerly, that
they would like it very much indeed.
No doubt they thought, dear little souls
that Mrs. Cutler was going to do it for
them.
"Tell me-" she said softly, turning
to a very ragged urchin who was close
beside her; shave you no motherP"
"Yes' IN; but she DOESN'T" was the
answer. Mrs. Cutler nodded, but did
not ask why this mother did not mend
her little boys clothes.
81 can'tgo to the Sunday-sch ,ol'cause
20 my Clothes" remarked rather bold
eyed little scamp. He evidently felt
that his case was one .whi ch should ap-
peal TO any lady; and l hope he did not
make it all up.
"I'm sorry, boys" Mrs. Cutler con-
tinued, ''that cannot make you all
look just as neat and tidy as such nice,
kind boys ought to look; but, you see,
/ have not time. l am going to have
Bill taught 10 mend and repair clothes.
I know some one who will teach him to
do it very nicely. Then Bill will have a
room, his place of business, you know,
where he will mend your cloths for you. !
That will give you chance to pay for
what you get, which every business
of curse, wishes TO do; and l hope it
will be easier work for Bill than black
ing boots. Now, 1 think We shall be atle
to start this business in about three
weeks, and I hope you will all give Bill
your custom. Will You2n
..Yes, ma'aml" came the answer with
-, AZ - .v,stl th,k AF,o G-4l1. eofG L..