The midland journal., 1906-01-19
TALES AND ENDS.
BY ALLEN PAYNE.
A sHEpHERDEss OF ZION.

/
the setting sun. 1t was the closing hour of a bus
mess day. The large stores were being deserted
by the employees and the streets were crowded
with pedestrians, all hurrying, eager to reach
their homes, with another days chapter of Incl
dents added to the history of their lives. One
half knew not the thoughts trials and tribulations
of the other half, nor how they lived, and taken
as majority. little cared they. The newsboys
were dashing up and down the streets selling
their papers and between the rumbling of wagons,
streetcars and the changing of trolley car gongs
could be heard the cries of Journal World and
the News"
"Want ter buy paper. lady?''
A middleaged woman, dressed heavily in black
was noticed fumbling in her purse, while dirty,
bare-footed and ragged newsboy. stood in front
of her with bundle of papers under his arm
sYes, came the reply. want the Journal and
the lady looked down upon young piece
of wretched humanity as she ever noticed.
"My boy, what's your manner"
"Sam.''
"Sam, what?'
'Jist Sam. That all the guys calls me-
'Well Sam, where do you live?'
"No where"
''No where Have you no father or mother?'
l.
There was most pronounced look of astonish
ment on the lady's face.
mo parents"
mo, mum. No one but myself in this world
| 'Well where do you live, where do ycr
sleep"
81 sleeps in store boxes mum an under market
stalls
| There was a most kindly interest taken in the
OF fif,Y
she asked the lad If he knew where Paradise and
| Angelic Avenues crossed. He said he did. "Wel
| if you will go up there when you are through
s,lling papers and rap on the door of the largest
building on the four corners of the streets
named, they will take you in and give you new
suit of clothes"
setting sun itself.
"And after you rap, man will come to the
door, Just tell him you are Sam %, l. He viii
understand. Now will you do that?"
"Yesum."
"Now you won't forget the NUMBER" i
| mo mum. Sam %, IL
'.That's it. Now here's your money. Don'
forget what told you"
| mo. num- Sam replied, but he was almost
speechless. /
/
mlnder of his possible forgetfulness, the lady
| departed. !
| Gee" said the boy standing stone still in utte
establishment and still looking at the retreatins
figure "She's sumner. Pm Sam 2S eti-' +
There was hard slap on Sans back that made
him jump.
"Hello there Sam-whats de trouble?"
"see dat lady goin' up there in black"
| yep"
"She says Pm Sam %, l an"
| Just then there was a whistle and both boys
looking off from whence it came, made dart tol
street car and endeavored to outdo each othel
in making the sale.
| 1t was a beautiful, moonlight night. On the
pavement in front OF large, brick building wa.
the shadow of a boy Sam stood in a moment o.
suspense, of doubt. But he plucked up courage
walked in the vestibule and rang the bell. A
gentleman came to the door.
"Well sirr
| "Pm.m Sam %, L." stammered the boy.
"All right, come in"
Sam entered and was led into an adjoining
room plainly but comfortably furnished. The
gentleman seated himself at table in the center
of the room, upon which lay large book, while
l
elected no more information from him than did
the lady in black. He was not long in discovering
that he had before him poor homeless, deserted
urchin who was thrown upon the wide world to
shift for himself But Sam was getting nervous
He wanted the suit of clothes and to get out as
soon as possible.
| "You say you have been selling papers; have
| you any money!"
Poor Sammy turned two colors. He didn't
| want that man to have the few cents he had-all
in this world. He made no answer. The ques-
| ton was asked him again. Nervously he put his
hand down in his dirty pants pocket and handed
out % pennies.
"Twenty.three cents, eh, is that all you got?'
| "Yes"
"well keep it to buy papers with in the
morning"
Another time where % won.
The attendant continued, You see it's this
way. You are to eat and sleep here and go to
school in the building in the rear when not
selling papers. We give you three hours in the
morning and the same in the evening to sell your
papers. As soon as you have finished selling you
must return Immediately. The money you make
must be given to us to save for you. You'll not
be lonesome for we have over a hundred little
boys here and We Wild you good.'
Sam was beginning to smile and his face lit up
like beacon light.
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.