The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-12-17
A PAIR OF SHOES.

One summer day dozen years ago a twelve
year-old boy was seated behind small desk in the
! anteroom of New York morning newspaper of
fec. He was of the regular force of office boys
One of these had the day before gone away, fact
which had in some mysterious way been noised
abroad, and during the day a score of other boys
had been in to apply for the place. None Of them
had been engaged.
Shortly before six o'clock another boy appeared,
about the age of the who sat in the room.
Il heard YOU want to get another office boy said
the newcomer.
The boy in the chair looked the other over care
fully without replying. The applicant was a clean
manly looking little fellow, with frank blue eyes.
The office boy went into the inner room, and then
the assistant editor appeared
s'What's your name :" he asked, briskly.
walter Simmons. sir" answered the boy.
The man rapidly questioned him further and
looked at his letters of recommendation. In mo-
mcnt the boy was engaged.
You'll go on the night force" said the editor
Begin tonight at six o'clock-you'H get off some
where around two. Thore'H be couple of the old
boys here to tell you what to do"
Yes, SIR answered the boy, moving toward the
door
As lie stepped from behind the desk the editor
noticed that he was bare footed,
Here where are your shoes Z" said the man.
You'll have to hurry if you've got to go home after
them"
The boy looked down and hestated Then he
glanced up at the man and said:
Il haven't any shoes, sir"
INo shoes. Well we can't have bare footed
Office boy. Can't you get sone!"
Again the boy hesitated. "Tll try my best SIR.
he said, with slight tremor in his voice.
'All right Turn up here at six with shoes on
and the place is yours-otherwse we'll have to get
some one else and the editor hurried away.
The boy walked slowly out to the head of the
stairs He paused here and gazed wstfully bach,
In nof+
boy inside, he turned and ran down the steps,
Hi, there! Hold ON. kid" came voice from
the head of the stairs He turned on the first land
ing, and saw the other boy looking down at him.
whats the reason you amt got any shoes y
asked the Office boy.
.'All worn out and thrown away I've been out
of work month, and my mothers sick
Got any stookings!'
Eyes, one pair. and he gazed down at his bare
legs below his short trousers.
'WelI, you must be about my size. | have pair
of shoes | might lend to you for week till you
draw 7our pay. What'd ye say to that"
you wouldn't ask if you knew how much |
want the place"
well. you skip home and get the stockings
Come right back and wait there where you are.
You'll have to hustle if you get back by SIX
Walter certainly did hustle" he was back sew
cral minutes before six and stood painting on the
landing, half afraid that the other would not keep
his word The next moment his new found friend
looked down at him.
.Sit right down there said the Office boy. 'Put
on the stockings and III be along at six"
Walter did as he was told, and as everybody went
up and down by the elevators, he was not disturbed.
In few minutes the Office boy came, sat down be-
side him, and began taking off his shoes.
This is the only pair I've got he explained
"Nothing very stylish about them, but if they'll
do on my feet, they'll do on yours. They cost
dollar, anyhow, and you to be careful of them
no skating on the floor kicking the desk legs
Try that one"
THAT fits all right" answered Walter
''Well get EN- both on quick My name is Tom
Bennett and live at 989 Roosevelt street There's
a bakery in the basement that's open all night The
boss knows me. When you get off at two, you 30
round there and leave the shoes with HIM I'll tell
him you're coming. See that you don't fail cause
if you do III be out of job myself tomorrow
got your name and your address from Mr. Hunt
and if the shoes amt at the bakeshop in the morn
ing III be locking for YOU He stuffed his own
stockings into his pocket and went down the stairs
in his bare feet The other went up and began his
duties.
For a week this arrangement was kept up. Tom
found his shoes each morning at the bakers and |
each evening the exchange was made on the land |
ing At the end of this time Walter was able to get
himself pair. and The partnership in foot-gear
came to an end. But the friendship so oddly be- /