The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-05-29
How "THE KID
FOUND A HOME
R5 :>,Allie Bonney Marble

Copyright, 1902, by Callie Bonney Marble
!" HORTY, the newsboy, had dis
- posed Of his papers and with
the air of successful business
~ man was going home.
Shorty! Oh, Shortly" call
ed shrill voice as the newsboy passed
the asylum gate, where he caught sight
of the dutter of a blue Bingham apron
and some stubby shoes showing be-
tween the rounds. both belonging to
diminut1ve boy of four, with big, wide
awake gray eyes and a shock of yellow
hair.
what you want, Kid?' asked the
newsboy, with a patronizing air.
"Oh, Shorty cried the wee orphan
gleefully, 'tomorrow's Decoration day,
and see what I've got!' And he drew
out from a hole under the gate a won
derful combination bouquet Of his own
fashioning, which consisted of two
faded pinks, an artificial rosebud drop
ped from somebody's bonnet, some eel
cry leaves, a pine twig and a full
assortment of the weeds which grew
about the asylum yard. isn't it bu-
ti-ful? And tomorrow when the SOL
diers march by I'm goin' wifi 'em
where the dead people are and put it
ON some graves, if can run'd away.
If I can't, I'll take it to the soldiers.
and they can give it to the dead man
for me-" And the baby, who knew
nothing of war and death, smiled glee-
fully.
you're goin' to be in it. amt YOU.
Kid?'' Shorty said, answering the
baby's smile in almost fatherly way.
you're a good boy to think of the
dead folks, and here's a penny to buy
you popcorn ball."
The happy orphan ran back to the
asylum after having deposited his
precious penny in the hole under the
gate, where reposed his Memorial day
bouquet, and that night he was ia
vored with boys happiest dream,
for soldiers and guns and popcorn were
in delightful evidence.
The next morning the Kid was
awake long before the gong sounded
to arouse the orphans, and after he
had disposed Of his bowl of mush and
milk and secured his treasures he start
ed down the dusty road as fast as his
diminutive legs could carry him. He
had not gone far before he heard mu-
sic and the tramp of men and horses.
'"The soldiers! The soldiersv' he
cried as he hurried onward and finally
stumbled and fell just as the captain,
on the big black horse, spied him and
suddenly drew rein, for a temporary
halt had been called.
"What is your name, sonny?' he ask
ed kindly, bending over the boy in the
blue Bingham apron, who scrambled
hastily to his feet, still determined not
to be left behind, his eyes glistening
with joy and admiration as he sur
veyed the captain.
ut used to be Robert, but now live
at the 'sylum it's Bob and the Kid"
promptly replied the youngster. Then,
fearing that the captain would ride
away and leave his mission unaccom-
plished, he plunged right into the sub
ject at heart, and, holding up his with
cred bouquet, he said proudly:
"1've got some flowers, too, and I'm
goin' to take 'em to the dead men, Do
they live good ways from here?''
"That is fine bouquet you have"
the captain replied, turning his head to
hide smile. "But the cemetery is too
far away for small boy like you to
walk"
"Oh, do want to go so bad" the
Kid said plaintively, land l saved
these flowers ever since yesterday"