The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-03
GOODHEARTED BOWsER.
He Finds a Lost Boy and Takes Him
Home.

AA4AAANe
MI Bowser had an errand at the
drug store after dinner the other even
Ing. and upon his return he was ac-
companied by a ragged little boy about
six years old. The lads hair was long
and unkempt, his face dirty and his
chin ornahnented with a long scratch
Where did you get tt?' asked MIS-
Bowser, as the lad was led into the
sitting room
II found this boy on the corner. He
Is lost. He is cold and hungry and
I brought him home. By John, but 1t
touches nv heart to see such scenes Of
distress. The poor little innocent just
put his hand In mine IN the most trust
ing way as soon as began TO talk TO
him Don't be afraid, sonny You are
with friends Do you want something
to eat2"
yep" replied the boy as he looked
around IN a cool and careless way.
'fOf course you do. II the truth was
known, we'd find that you had been two
days without eating You snail come
down to the table with me and eat all
sou can hold. What do you think Of
him, Mrs. BOwser2 ?"
"I don't think he's a lost boy. to
begin with I'll wager that his people
don't live four blocks away
What reason have you for making
such a remark ."
He isn't worrying in the slightest.
as YOU NAV observe and he wasn't
shivering when he came in. His eyes
are twinkling and there is a grin on
his mouth"
There you go with your heart of
1Cel" shouted Mr.. BOWser- Here is
as plain a case Of distress and destitu-
ton as any one ever met with. and
yet you sneer at It and are ready to
gay that the boy is making a fool
OF mel Good heavens, woman. haven't
YOU one grain OF charity in your make
up7"
Better take him down to the table
and let him eat" she replied.
Mr.. BoWser glared at her for a mo-
ment and then took the boys hand
and led him down to the dining room.
The cook was instructed to set out the
remains Of dinner, and as she was do
ing so she took a look at the boy and
asked.
Did he come to the front door. sir?'
mo. I found him on the street, poor
little Arab"
And what does he say for himself?'
THAT he's lost"
He didn't tell me that two days ago
when he was at my door begging cold
vittles."
What! What's that. Do you say
he was here two days ago."
He was. sir, and when I wouldn't
give him anything he sassed me"
on are a liart" said the boy in
cool way.
Dye hear the young vil1aini" ex-
claimed the cook
Sarah. there must be some mis-
take" replied Mr.. Bowser. "a boy may
have come to the basement door the
other day. but it could not have been
this boy Y on can see that he is no
boy to use impudence.7
But he just called me a liar, sir"
THAT is simply a chlld's way of say
ing that you we're mistaken. Take right
hold. sonny and eat all you want"
The boy took hold. He took hold
like wolf He ate as If he hadn't
seen food for a week He scorned to
use such things as knives and forks.
but made use of his fingers instead. A
Michigan lumberman or a Vermont
hired man wouldn't have been in it
with him. He didn't cease eating until
there was nothing more in sight and
then he lifted his plate and licked it
clean Mr.. Bowser sat there and tried
to carry paternal smile, but it was
hard work and he was glad that Mrs.
Bowser was not present. When chapter
K and last was reached he patted the
bow on the back and said:
Had enough. sOnnv2 Then we will
60 upstairs and see Mrs Bowser"
''I don't like her" was the reply.
you don't?'
mo. She's no good"
DO YOU hear that sir ." asked the
cook. as Mr.. Bowser turned red and
'I hear Sarah. but. Of course. he
means nothing by It," was the reply
after a moment.
oh he don't. Ell? It's nothing when
young villain like him calls a lady no
good! If I had my way
There. there Sarah say no more
about #. The bow evidently has hui
morous side to his nature. and I am
sure he has no idea of being impudent.
] think I viii raise your wages a dollar
. month. and YOU needn't mind telling
Mrs. Bowser that he referred to her as
no good"
Hand i'm hand they went up to the
sitting room. and Mrs. Bowser. As
they entered the room the cat came
forward. and the boy made a vicious
kick at her
Hes a bit frolicksome." explained
Mr Bowser, as he seated the lad. Per
maps ne never saw a cat before, and is
afraid of her
IF he had kicked her he would have
got box on the ear" replied Mrs
Bowser. little grimly. Now that You