The San Francisco call., 1898-12-18

N IGGER BILL wanted a blank IN book with big red flowers on 1t
 NJ like Henry Masons.
 There was only one left. He A had gone into the drug store to look, and if he didn't get 10 cents to- day somebody else would buy it.
 Bill went round to the butcher shop to see if Mir Merry hadn't left his glasses at home; he'd given him "a bit' once for going after them But there they were on top of his big nose. He asked Tommy Briggs if he wouldn't give him 10 cents to peddle his coffee at the train; but he laughed and said Nobody would buy of such scare crow"
 Nigger Bill was a funny looking lit tie fellow, as odd as his name, which he gloried in-he was so afraid of be- ing called "an Injun."
 He was a very small boy, with the in tensely black face, bright eyes and white teeth of the African, while his straight, coarse hair showed Iis Indian ancestry.
 He wore a pair of old boots so much too big that he had to shuttle along, and a jacket so small that the sleeves end ed at the elbows.
 He was going to school, carrying a very big lard bucket, with very little dinner in it, and feeling pretty sober. Around the corner of the freight house two boys beckOned to him. Say, Mig ger Bill, I'll give you 10 cents if you'll take this note to old Rogers and tell him Mrs. kerrigan gave it to you
 The black boy expanded into broad snffTe. All right" he said, joyfully; but, Johnny, will I cotch it?"
 Pooh. Of course not. It's from me mother She's after wanting her good boy excused this week to work; and will his Honor send Johnny's books, that he may be after the lessons of an evening""
 "Oh. rich!" And Johnny Kerrigan doubled himself over with laughter. Catch me going to his old school the week of the races! And he won't find out I'm playing truant."
 will he kill me if he does?" asked Nigger Bill, anXiously.
 No, you scared cat; of course not. Here's your money, and I'll be after waiting along here for the books to- night.
 Niger Bill looked at the little silver piece in his hand; his eyes shone. He shuff1ed around to the drug store and bought the blank book. But somehow the poppies on it did not look as red and pretty as he thought they did.
 He went along to school, but he did not feel good. He had to lie to MT. Rogers, the principal, of whom he had a mortal terror.
 MT. Rogers, Nigger Bill was con vinced, must be crazy, though he'd never told anybody so; for he had seen him more than once cracking open stones in the old North Star mine, and writing things in a book; and nobody'd worked there since Bill could remem- ber-or prospected, either
 Then Nigger Bill had had one per sonal experience with him. Ee thought about it as he went along. Miss Car roll, his teacher, always smiled when she recalled the incident
 Eight little boys of them had got into a fuss on the playgrounds and Miss Carroll said they must remain after school. MT. Rogers came in. He car ried a very long, large stick in his hand (his show switch) and fixed his keen eyes on the trembling little cul- prits. Then he turned to their teacher and asked her If she would have the kindness to close all the windows. He did not want their yells to disturb the children outside.
 Then he asked in stentorian tones, pointing the long stick at them: Boys, have your mothers got any sticking plaster?"
 "Yes, sir; yes, sir," came from sixteen tremulous lips.
 "Youn need it when you get home: Do you know what you'll want it for?'
 Moo, sir"
 ITO cover yourselves with. Miss Carroll it will be dark here presently. Boys, do you know why?"