The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-08
THE BOOTBLACK'S BUTTON.
HE OST HIS GRAND ARMY EMBLEM
WHILE SIZZLING CHICK M

He Had Notified the Police or the station
or which lie Was IIootbiack OF His Loss.
SO when the Button Was Found He Was
mt Once Known as the Chicken Thief.
This story is true. The names of tho distin.
guished pcrsonaGes involved are not their real
names, as it would cause them more or less in.
convenience to he too specific. The time was
last week, and the scene was laid principally
in a police station on the west side Of the city.
Somebody told the story last night, and here
it is:
Brown-which Is not a specific name-was
and still Is bootblack for the police station. His
face is as black and shining as the shoes he polish
es. Brown Is patriotic, and he always wears Q
Grand Army button in the lapel Of his coat.
One day last week, after Brown had finished
,olishing Sergeant Blanks shoes he looked up to
the sergeant suddenly, his face full of surprise
and dismay.
"Fo' do Lawd. Sarge, Alive done lost m but
ton-Grand Army button, Sarge"
THAT so2' asked the Sergeant. Its q
shame. Where'd you lose ltf"
Dunno" replied Brown. 1T was there last
night, sab, suh's All live and draw bref."
Guess that sweetheart of yours with the
crinkly face borrowed it, didn't shei' said
the Sergeant.
mo, she amt got it. She's shook NE. Say,
Sarge, All wish you'd ask your men to look for
dat button. 1t must shorely be hereabouts."
The sergeant promised to send out a general
alarm for The missing btton, and Brown stalked
badge OF SoRor.' Xfter a f%ruitIess search hs
left the station house.
Ten minutes later a man came in and told
the sergeant that his hen roost down by the
river had been robbed of two chickens the night
before. The Sergeant sent out a detective to in
yastigate the matter. The detective came back
Got any clew Of 'eml'' asked the Sergeant.
don't AMOUNT to m%uch-only a Grand Army but
ton, might have been there for some time. you
'fThis is curious" said the Sergeant to him
self. Then he asked the detective for the but.
ton, and called IN the Captain. The three then
a while breaking out into laughter. Then the
Sergeant sent the doorman around TO the cor.
n' @H fsiSoR You 10 coon com ~" SAID SpG The Captain, as Brown
waddled in. You're in luck, l guess. Is this
+ shqah it is" said Brown. where on
earth did 1t como 'front.'
Sure 1T Is yours, are your" asked the Cap
Yes" said Brown, with an air of mystiaca-
ton. "Ah'm shuah It is. See dat little teenty-
tonty nick in de side ,theahi OATS NAH mark.
Nov, Mr.. Brown" said the Captain, "where'd
you get those little chickens pin feathers on
pisxion Permltlsdi hid his face, and began %
Jess couldn't resiss the tcmptashun. It wuz so
easy. All only took tew.. and dey never
how on earth All dropped dat button, and me
{. grown.up man with no support but nah brush,
time, Mr.. Captain. Ah'ye no excuse but nah
longin' for dem birds, sab, but ple-e-ese-"
''1hat1l do snid the Captain. you've
done this thing once too often, Take his pedi.
gree, Sergeant, and lock him up. Then get a
new bootblRck.'
Half an hour later Blank Brown, 43 years
old, born in the United States, boOtblack, was
taken out of his cell and arraigned before the
Captain.
verest tones, lyon are hereby ordered by me to
appropriate your earnings forthe next two weeks
toward paying for those chickens. Being
necessary 10 the station house as you are, you
are herewith paroled pending said payment, on
condition that your conduct Is of the best. Go
back, now, and brush those feathers of your
coat"