The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-09

world had indeed treated him well. The
mar. owner OF one Of the largest stores
in the city of P, whose books showed
yearly gains amounting TO thousands OF
dollars and a business that was steadily
on the increase, a happy home. health
and wea1th--what more could man want
here below? All these thoughts were
passing in his mind. when suddenly his
attention was arrested by voice at his
side.
Say. boss, want er job"
II was spoken I'm such determined
way that the Judge" as he was famil-
iarly called. wheeled In his chair In the
direction Of the speaker.
Before him stood an unchin OF an in
definite age, perhaps nine years, red
headed freckle-faced, his trousers held
up by one solitary suspender running
diagonally across checkered shirt.
while slung across his back was a shoe
box He made a picture indeed, and
the Judge looked at him intently for
moment before speaking.
You want Job, do your
"Yep?"
well, what can you do?"
''Everybody-naw. / don't mean dat
what / means in anything dey h ter do.
see,"
The Judge could hardly keep from
laughing at this reply. but he continued
his questions.
What do you do now. my boy7"
"Oh, I blacks shoes-sells papers and
any ole ting Me sister Nell, she sells
'em too--Ne1rs ten
Got sister have you7"
You bet-and boss" he continues, sit
ting on his shoe box and getting con-
hdential. ives got the bestest Mudder
| in the world. She's bin sick since Dad
died, and me and Nell has ter hustle
! like-well. like anything"
What's your name, my young knight
OF the brush?"
me name? Oh, Bin's me name-de fell
lers call me 'Reddy. but Nell and Mud
der call me William Say, what 'er
tink OF dat? William
And go you black shoes. do you, and
sell papers-well. how's business, any
howY'
"Oh. It's on De bum. Some days
make nifty cents, oder days sixty, and
some days only quarter Nell 'she
helps siderable, an We jes manage ter
scrape along. me. Nell and Mudder But
Say. do I get er job!''
''Oh, yes. the job-I had nearly for
gotten that-Well, we'll. let me see. How
would you like to tend door a { the entry1"
What d'Xe mean II boss. tend door
and have one OF dem 'swoots wid brass
| buttons--why cert Il would strike me
of the highland fling before the Judge
could stop him.
'All right, my boy, report TO me to-
morrow at nine o'clock"
Sure boss. Ta-ta I'm of 10 tell Nell
and the Mudder." And off ne iew.
The Judge leaned back in his chair and
laughed TO himself. well. well bright
fancy to him, but I did Oh. well,
| guess he will be OF some use. and no
| doubt will earn his wages. II was the
best way to get rid OF him.
Sure enough. at nine the next morning
! Bill put In his appearance, was given
his "swoot." as he called it, and WAS
stationed at his post, the main door OF
the great store Time wore on. little
Bill became a fixture. and by his bright
| face and cheerful manners won tho
hearts OF the firm. the clerks and the
| patrons Of the store. Everyone had a
| smile, and How de-do'' for Bill. and he
always responded by a 'beaut'f Gay"
! 'g'd mornin," etc. Every one knew
| him and he was always on hand bowlng
10 his acquaintances and patrons as they
| came to shop or TO wend their way home
ward. The shop girls used TO pat him
| on the cheeks when they came I'm the
morning, and bid him a CHEEKY good
night when they left for home. The
| bookkeepers always had word or two
TO say 10 him when they arrived, and
even the head men OF the Arm never
went past him without a smile OF recog-
milton Truly Bill had grown into their
hearts-no one seemed TO know exactly
how.
/ For myself / took a decided fancy to
the boy. and would often get a few minu-
tes conversation with him after n hard
trial at the book. and his mannerisms al
ways seemed to put new life into me.
Ia IL f1A
customary thing and we became fast
friends. Bill and L.
Not in the two years he had been IN the
store had Bill had vacation. but he had
worked steadily on for -"Mudder and
Nell,' as he expressed e.
/ The summer had come and the en-
\ ployees OF the store were all receiving
I their little official notices OF their vaca-
. tons, when they commenced and when
they ended. I had received mine. and
was looking at IL as I reached the store
| one morning.
! Good morning Bill"
Good morning Mr.. Fred. Gee. Il
mus be nice 10 get letters from yer gal -
he added. noticing the one In nv hand.
on. that isn't letter from my girl"
! answered laughing. This is only n
| notice for nv vacation Have Won re-
| ceived yours2'
&c long. quit your kiddin doan get
no vacation, never had one. What dye
do on EN-. anyway"
'Oh. go into the country and have a
good time. eat, drink and sleep. fish
| and"
Gee I wish could get a vacation.
j wouldn't do a ting
! ] passed on 10 my department h,, IN.
conversation with Bill / did not forget
why shouldn't the boy have = vacation
as well as the rest OF u.s. Acting upon
tho thought interviewed Mr.. barton.
and the up-shot was that Bll was senr
regular official vacation notice. The
next morning | met him AZ the isor a $
usual lie greeted me with n Say.
Mr.. Fred. ] got a.. what de tink." and
he showed a letter into my face bearing
the inscription. William Flaving." Ten
day vacation. Hully gee"
Am glad or II BIN. and now look hero
know nice place IN the country. and
we VIII 40 together. What do you saw
You and To-
For moment Bill did not answer
FINALLY ho blurted out