The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-10
(Conyrsht 1887

strike six. he drew on his top coat, put
on his hat. locked his office door and
stepped into the street.
i "whew." he muttered to himself. as
cold blast struck him-'this Is cold
enough, sure"
As he walked along he thought OF the
great changes in his life that had taken
| place In the past two years. and were
one TO have studied his face carefully
/ at this moment they might have detect
! I'D a look OF pain and sorrow pass over
! II, quickly followed by one OF apparent
determine ton.
college a year and full OF ambition, as
most young men in his position are. Not
/ entirely dependant on his clients and
fees. which could not truthfully be said
/ TO be unusually numerous, either clients
or fees. he was. however. blessed with
a moderate income. He was a member
/ OF The Bachelors Club and well liked
/ by his fellow clubmen, and In fact all
who knew him.
| But a cnange had come over Jack In
! the past three months-he wasn't exact
/ ly melsncholy--you Couldn't call II that
but then. Strange rumors were afloat
! OF an infatuation he had for a Miss s..
/ which for some unknown reason had
been broken OF to the extent that IL ver-
/ ged upon a case of--lovers once-etrangers
now.
What really passed In Jacks mind as
! he walked along, probably no one will
ever know. AS he turned a corner his
reverie was broken by
Papa mister-Times, Truth-two cents
! just outi'
Jack looked down and saw standing in
front OF him a youngster OF about twelve
years with a large pair OF brown eyes
| that were looking up into his with a half
| pathetic gaze.
What papers did YOU say you had?"
asked Jack. stopping in his walk.
Times and Truth boss--but ! kinder
/ think de Times de best-more murders
an marriages and such stun. See! Got
one Times left.
"Ali rght-let's have Times-more
murders and such stun, Ell? Well, that's
pretty good" and Jack laughed quietly
while looking for the coin.
| Funny" sold Jack, 81 thought ] had
! tho change" As the result he produced
! a one dollar bill and handed II to the
/ boy.
Cant change II neither, boss-never.
/ I can get II across the street though"
and away he darted, leaving Jack stand
/ ing there alone.
Little rascal-that's the last I'll see
of him. oh, well, fool and his money
are soon parted I'll wait a minute any
how, and see IL he does come back"
Just as he had about made up his mind
that his dollar bin was a conner the boy
emerged from between two drays and
| came running up.
Sorry kept you waitin.' mister, bein'
near Christmas dey was pretty busy and
had ter wait. Here's de change"
Christmas Yes II was near Christ
mas, TO be sure, ana the careless remark
OF the ragged newsboy made an impress
ion upon Jacks mind.
80 It's near Christmas. eh? Say.
youngster. tell me-whats your name?"
Me name-oh yes. Dey calls me
Tim-some OF them"
well, who are they Tim
."Oh, de odder fellers i go round wild
an sleep wid-yer see l don't live here
ST. Louis me home-or was Me mother
had 30 many oders ter feed l kinder
thought Ia make less trouble and so /
shpped-an-here i am, Sect
Ran away, did you, TIM"
"Yep-guess DAFT about the size OF IT,"
We'll, Tim, don't you think your
mother would like to see you Christmas?
"-'Spose she would. boss. i ulster
have bully times Christmas TIN Zap
t.ed. an then-then-I didn't" and Tim
used the greasy elbow OF his coat to
| wipe away a tear.
An idea had suddently occurred TO
Jack Hallen.
Say. Tim. you come and take dinner
with me tonight"
What's daf?" Tim answered. looking
up. take dinner wtd you-go long, yer
kiddin' me. What do you take me for?
| "a bloomln' jay"
mo" responded Jack, with a hearty
laugh Tn not 'kddin.' you, 80 come
along-you will, won't you?'
Gee whiz! Jes try me. Gomez well,
/ guess. GOSH"
The two together presented an interest
ing sight as they walked down the street
together. talking earnestly. and many a
passerby and friend OF Jacks turned and
smiled as they passed
The Bachelors Club" was one OF the
swell society clubs OF the city. and its
home on B-avenue was one OF the hand
| soonest I'm the state.
! Five minutes walk brought them to the
club. Jack rang the bell and was ad-
mitted. followed by Nm. The attenda Al [
at the door stared at Jack and then a.
| Tim, but knew instinctively by Jack S
manner IL was all right.
Hang your cap there said Jack,
pointing TO the rack
Tim did az he was told and clapped his
\ little ragged cap on a hook I'm the midst
Of the highly polished top-hats; IL looked
! like a thistle In a bed OF roses.
Tim was doing very little talking now,
but gazing about him in astonishment
and wonder.
Take my card" said Jack 10 the at
/ tendant "and order this dinner for my
self and my friend" The waiter looked
down at Tim. smiled quietly and left with
! the order
"well, Tim. what are you thinking
about?"
"Nothin'- 'ceptin'-dat 7 can't 'xactly
see what yer brought me here for-deed
I can't bose.
"Oh you don't" laughed Jack, then
you don't like TO eat, eh7"
Eat Eat. Did you say eat7 Well |
les CESS ! do cat. You jes' oughter see
me at a. Why. this noon | had n i've
cent cinnamon bun and a glass OF milk"
Your dinner. Mr.. Hallen." announced
the walter. and Jack and Tim marched
through the hall to the dining room. In
they went. Jack leading. followed hy
Tim. his eyes glistening with excitement
and pleasure.
The room was nlled with swell clubmen,
all OF whom knew Jack. and when this