The Washington times., 1905-12-17

4lt 1ODhtQ aCEOSS ana saw q saloon Ou-
poSite, with brighter globes and win
dows more prosperous. That should
nave been his choice; lemon peel would
undoubtedly be fresher over there; and
over ne went at once. 10 begin the
whole thing properly. IN such frozen
weather no drink could be more timely,
ana ne sat, TO enjoy without haste its
mellow fitness. once again on the
pavement he looked aiong the street
toward uptown beneath the crisp cold
electric lights. and three little boot
blacks gathered where he stood and
cried: Shine? Shine?" at him The
hJtIe one-note song reaching his atten-
ton, he suddenly showed his foot at
the nearest boy who lighyly sprang
away.
Dare you to touch him." piped a
now %showDird. dangerously. They were in
snort trousers, and the eldest enemy, IT
may be. was ten.
Don't hit me-" said Mr. Mclean,
I'm innocent"
What's he layin 10 kick you for.
Billy? 'Taint yer pop, is it?''
Naw!' said Billy. in scOrn. Father
never kicked me. Don't know who he
Hes a special" shrilled the leading
bird, sensationally. Hes got a badge
and he's going to arrest YER
Two of them hoped instantly 10 the
safe middle of the street, but Billy
stood his ground. Dare you to arrest
me-" SAID he.
"WhatH you give me not to?' in
CURED Lin, and he put his hands in
his pockets, arms al:mDo.
Nothing; I've done nothing" an
swered Billy. firmly. But even in the
last syllable his voice suddenly failed.
a terror filled his eyes. and he. too,
sped into the middle OF the street
Say said the slow-spoken Lin
from the pavement. you're poor
Judges OF a badge. YOU fellows. Why,
II any policeman was caught wearin'
this here. said he. following his
sprightly invention, he'd get arrested
himself
This struck them extremely. They
began 20 draw together, Billy linger-
ing the last.
IF it's your idea" pursued Mr.. Nc
Lean. aluringiy. as the three took
cautious steps nearer the curb, that
blue. clasped hands in circle of red
stars gives the bearer the right to put
folks in the jug-why. I'll get some
body else TO black my boots for a dol
lar"
The three made a swift rush. fell
on simultaneous knees, and. clatter-
ing their boxes down, began to spit
In an Industrious circle.
Easy wheedled Mr. Mclean, and
they looked up az him, staring and fas-
cinated- Not having three feet"
said the cow-puncher. always grave
here Job"
He's got a big pistol and a beltw
exulted the leader. who had precoc-
iously felt beneath Lin's coat.
You re a smart boy said Lin, con-
sidering him. "and va find a man out
right away. Now you stand off and
tell me all about myself while they FIX
the boOts-and a dollar goes TO the
quickest through"
Young Billy and his tow-headed com
paEion iiattened down, each 10 a boot,
with all their might, while the leader
ruefully contemplated Mr.. Mclean.
m through! sang out TOwhead.
rising in haste.
Small Billy was struggling still. but
lcaped at that, the two heads bobbing
70 level together; and Mr.. Mclean
looking down, saw that the arrange
boots
VIII YOU kindly referee" said he TO
the leader, and decide which Of them
smears Is the awfulest?"
But the leader looked the other way
and played upon a mOuth-organ.
Wei, thdt saves me money" said
Mt. Nc Lean, Jingling his pocket. Z
each OF them = dollar Now" he con-
tinued, Il just dassent show these
boots uptown; so this time it's a dol
lar for the best shine
RE TWO went Dalpitating at their
brushes again. and the leader PLAYED
his mouth-organ with brilliant uncon-
cern. Lin. tall and brOoding. leaned
AGAINST the 1utting sill Of the window,
a hgure somehow plainly strange In
town, while through the bright plate
glass Santa Claus. holding ont his beer
and sausages- perpetually beamed
Billy> was laboring CALAMITY. but it
was lsbor. the cow-puncher perceived.
ana BIny no seasoned expert See
mere SAID Lin. stopping, "Iil show
Nu now It's done He's playin' that
body crooked. There. Keep your black
ing SOFT ana work with Il dry brush
Lemne, said Billy. I've got TO
learn. So he. finished the boot his
breathing and repolishing: and this
event was also adjudSed a dead heat
with results gratifying TO both parties
so here was their work done. and more
money In their pockets than from all
the other boots and shoes of this dav.
and Iowhead and Billy did not wish
TOT further trade. but 10 spend this
handsome fortune as soon as mtqb+
be. Yet they delayed IN the bright
ness Of the window. drawn by cur-
lC6ity neGr this new kind Of man
whose voice held them and whose re-
marks dronOed them into constant
uncertainty.
rs that secret societv?-' ino,,re5
Tow head, lifting a finger at the badge.
Mr- Mclean nodded 'Turruble. %
Hes a cattlemanp cried Billy. "1
seen hiss heels"
That's you," said the discovered
Duncner. with approval you'll do
But ! bet you can't tell me what we
wearers of this badge have sworn To
DO this night"
At this they craned their necks and
Slared 1T him.
re-swore-to-blow off three
hoctblacks to a dinner
"Ah. pshawi" They backed away
b-iskiv. witch dlstrust
And after dinner It's the Opera
House. 20 see The Children OF Captain
Grantt''
lney screamed shrilly at him. keep
ing off beyond the curb.
Il can't waste my time on S,lch
smart boys" said Mr. Mclean. rising
TO his fun height from the window
sill ! am going somewhere TO fnd
boys that amt so turruble Oufcl,
stampCded by a roast turkey"
lie began TO lounge slowly aWov
serious as he had been throuChout
and they. stoDping their --~s-o short
swiftly picked UP their boxes and fol-
lowed him. Some change in the chr
rent of electricity that fed the win
dow disturbed its sparkling light, so
ihat Santa Claus seemed to be srnilipg
more broadly from the midst of his
nickcrinE briliianCe
".
Turkey and Responsibility.