The Western news., 1902-02-26
HE SAID "d'wAN!"

Possesses
00E leaned upon the rail Of the
iii boat as she swung away from
SS her pier and headed clumsily
for the distant. hazy shores Of Staten
Island His bare feet gripped the low
er rail. his blacking box was swung
across his shoulder. The box was
studded with brass nails In rude pat
tern, for according to his lights Its
owuer had an artistic eye. 1t had been
busy day for him, and he jingled his
profits with one hand and reflected
upon the extravaganza Of allowing
himself to spend 20 cents In sail
down the harbor and back. With the
fine superiority Of moneyed man.
too, he surveyed his fellow craftsmen
who piled their brushes on the boat.
For once he was above them. passen-
ger Of equal rights with the trim col
lege man. smoking cigarette few
feet away, and he was conscious OF
regret that he had not worn his shoes.
SO that he might have had them black
ed and tasted the delights Of paying
for service instead of being paid. Be-
yond present enjoyment lurked the In
evitable return to Hester street, and
the beating that would follow his con-
fession. For he had dim recollections
Of honesty. and would acknowledge his
stolen holiday and receive full value
for the squandered 20 cents from the
low-browed. sullen father who presided
over his destinies with q stick. Retri-
button hung red-handed above him. but
he resolutely put away the thought of
it. For the time being there were the
breeze and the blue water and the
sound Of music from a passing excur-
sion steamer. He threw back his head.
| drew In the salty air. and sent It forth
again in the form Of a popular melody.
shrilly whistled. The college man
turned to his companion and laughing
ly indicated the boy. "Profuse strains
Of unprecedented art" he said.
This was beyond the boy, but he de-
tected a slur. He regarded the critics
resentfully, pondering which Of his
stock of expletives would best meet the
emergency. Finally he compromised
: on "Ah. g'wan," and turned his eyes
once more to the harbor's shifting pan
Drama.
. Then for the first time he saw the
: girl. She was bending over the rail OF
( the upper deck, and-could It be-yes
she was watching him and listening t
, his whistling; a wonderful vision on
r blue eyes and long golden curls ant
;. pink and white muslin. The boy shift
e ed his position uneasily. and once mort
3 wished he had worn his shoes. Blu
= never for q moment did he check hil
+ music. He changed the tune. to "Onl,
, One GIRL" and employed In it's execu
J, ton all the runs and trills of whicl
] he was master. directing cover
i glances upwards to see IL she was still
t listening.
Being out Of breath for the momen,
, he paused at the end Of an extraordi
/ nary trill. and ejaculated: "Crackey
she's fairy" quite audibly. Thi
J. seemed to amuse the college man. H
o drew near and inquired. Who's
x fairy?" with a suave civility.
"Oh, g'wan." said the boy. The In
l. terruption disconnected him, and b
9 stepped back from the rail. "Oh. g'wa
, and lemme lone. will yerY" he reite,
g ated
And then, all In a moment, there wa
!. :, a fash of pink and splash. the tram
Of hurrying feet on the upper decl
= and a womaD's cry: "Marionv'
"Joye!" said the college man. "som
= ones overheard" and he stripped o
his coat. But the boy was quicke
His box raped smartly on the decl
and he. was over the rail and swer
. from view in the backward swirl Of th
o water.
t "Jove!" said the college man agail
Y "the bcotblack's overheard. tOo!'
Y Coming to the surface with a gas
e the boy thought Of the words of b
friend, the attendant at the publ
baths: Keep your chin up and yot
a mouth shut, and breathe Deep" BefOl
e him. 20 yards away. was terro
q stricken face framed In hair, pitifull
=? wet. 1t sank again as soon as
O forced his way towards 1t. and throue
=. the singing in his ears the voice /,
hts friend rang again:
"Drowndin' folks come up thrt
:, times" Y
l. THAT was two." thought the bo
"Oh, Gawdw
It And this was a prayer. though
8, knew 1t not. A moment later and b
y hand grasped her arm. He swung hir
II self upon his back, holding her hal
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