The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-01-17

diplomatist MOr-: proceeded with his
mission. lie stopped in front of the
doorway and l)oSri ZIP AMI down the
street several times as if searching for
Something. He then gave utterance
10 an excl" :.,:;icn = annoy"--r. which
caused the littl. hey t. i,1.s III 1T him
ilguiringly.
can Won til - Wee william
Jones clc.lin3 store is:''
Instantly the bog hr,-;iEaned. Here
was IN opportunity /, earn II nickel.
and he was at the side of his possible
belefactor in an instant.
Its just down de street. kin show
you where it is"
Il wish you would. my little man."
and he started to walk in the direction
indicated, with the little boy at his
side. After a carefully timed pause,
which gave his guide an opportunity
to look him over with the keen sagac-
ity of Il street urchin. he asked:
Did Santa Claus come to see you
last night?"
'Naw," retorted the little arab, with
an expression of defiance that only
thinly yelled his disappointment
But you are going TO have Christ
mas dinner. are you not?''
'Oh, yes" replied the little man
cheerfully. Mrs. DuSan asked me to
wait up for her. She does cleaning and
dishwashing in one of the big houses
uptown, and they always gives her
something OATS left over at dinner.
She's asked me to come and have
bite wild her and wild Maggie ana Jack
when she gifts home"
But haven't you any folks of your
own"
Yes; I've got dad. but he's too
drunk to care for what az happens to
ne, and don't spect he'll cit over it
for two or three days"
The case was so Ike that Of his own
youth that MOrgal felt a lump rising
in his throat \ child Always knows
When he is being sympathize1 with
r:ly. ana the little street arab was as
comfortable with his new friend as if
he had known nina all his life.
"I!ete'~ J"acs' place" said the boy.
1.;t it,; closed today"
Yes. but Jones lives upstairs. doesn't
heE' said Morgan, who really knew
jhc district well.
Sure he does"
Then we'll ring him up" and Nor
IN applied himself to the bell. In the
meantime the little boy was wonder
ins why his expected nickel hadn't APP
pclrcd. but rcfrainei from asking for
it TO the last moment
Presently Jones opened the door.
looking greasy and unkempt
We'll, Mr.. Jones'" said Morgan,
heres little boy who wants Il new
suit OF clothes. Don't you think you
could open up and sell it to him.
"Wwha-whatE" exclaimed the rag
amutiin
You see" explained Morgan, you
are going to have your Christmas din
ner with Inc at restaurant. and |
think you would feel better if YOU
dressed up before you went. What
do you Think
What the little fellow thought was
not or the things that could be told In
words. and Jones. seeing prospect of
a sale, opened his shop without urging.
Picking from the goods displayed
complete outfit Of warm clothing, Nor
gan asked II they could not get a basin
of water and a towel in back room so
that their little fricn could dress up.
After some difficulty these necesSaries
and Il dry, well seasoned piece of soap
were produced. For the first time with
i'll his memory Bud Lester, for he had
by this time confessed his name, APP
preached water with enthusiasm, and
it was not many minutes until he stood
before his bencfactOr I'll roughly trans
formed. For the first time in his life
he had new shoes and new clothes
from his socks to his cap. Having paid