The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-11-19
j. OUR DAILY SHORT STORY
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 which the tenement knew nothing nights when concert engagements were not to be had, and Rafael and Josaph- ski trudged to a far end of the city, and Rafael played on the street corn CTS. On these evenings the Wonder Child would be very hungry, and SC cold that his blue fingers could hard ly hold the bow. The wind tossed his long hair, and searched his scanty clothing till its nip brought tears to his eyes, and Josephski held out the tin cup to passers-by, mechanically mumblfng Mine Rafael. he is so young. so young"
 But these tines were now little more than memory. The concert hall became the focus of all RafaePs activt- ty, and with ever increasing pride the father read his sons name on the pro- grams. Raphael Josephski the Won der Child"
 Rafael was so dominated by his fath- l CT that he seemed quite passive out wardly, though inwardly he ragged While people kissed him and fondled him, rebellion burned il. his heart. He hated his life, he hated his clothes. but most of all he hated being a wonder Child. He longed to go with the bows. While they made bonfires and explor- ed the mysteries of ash cans, Rafael was forced to practice. While they were having vigorous games of tag un- der the lamp posts, Rafael was DIay- ing in the concert hall. He knew that the boys despised him, and he flushed darkly under their taunts-especially under the taunts of Giuseppe Barnar- do. who called him a coward.
 Rafael yearned to get even with this son of the organ grinder. but even if he asserted himself how could the oth- CT boys recognize valor and indepen- dence when 1t went gufsed in ridicuI- ous velvet sailor suits and long hairY And Josephski, who pocketed all his sons earnings, refused to buy the boy any other style of clothes. Yet deliv- erance was near, and came to Rafael when hesleast expected 1t. One night. on the muddy steps of the concert hau he found two dollar bill
 father. -@
 Nothing" said Rafael, and slipped the money up his sleeve. Surely such a. fortune could work miracles, and Ra- fael hardly slept a wink for thinking
 Next morning Josephski was to make some final concert arrangements and Rafael awaited his departure with bated breath. It was not In vain that he had lain awake all night plotting and planningl And as soon as his tather was out of sight Rafael knock ed at Mrs. O'Halloran's door. Receiv- ing no answer, he opened it. Mrs. O Halloran was keeping up a sturdy rub -a-dub--dub on the washboard.
 If you please" began Rafael
 Mrs. oHalloran peered through tho steam.
 Mother of Heaven" she cried. 'It's the Wonder Childm
 Rafael winced at the name, but it only made him the more determined. While Mrs. O'Halloran stood, hands on hips regarding him. he told her brIef- ly what he wanted and displayed the two dollar bill.
 And what would the loikes of you be doing with one of my Mikes suits7,' she demanded.
 I wants to wear 1t on me-" eaid Ra. TaeL Now Mrs. OHalIoran's tongue was sharp, but her heart was tender. amp Rafael made a forlorn enough fig- upe as he stood there watching her, She soon concluded the bargain. and Rafael went back to his room with Mike OHalloran's second best suit. It was frayed and soiled and bagged at the knees, but still 1t was a suit-a real boys suit with a coat and pockets, and Rafael exulted as he put it on. He borrowed pair of scissors. and with these he cut the hated sailor blouse in- to shreds. Then firmly and unDAlter- ipgly he began to cut his hair. The