Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-13

TT was at the height of the church pa
rade that a strange procession wendell
its way up the crowded avenue. 1t was
composed Of a large number OF small
boys-very small boys-boys with the
bodies of ten and the faces of forty
boys with patched holes in their trousers.
boys with unpatched holes in their trous
ers. boys with elbows out. elbows coming
out. Yet all had aggressively polished
faces and wet, rebellious hair that stuck
up like unkempt stacks of soaked marsh
hay.
Orderly they were and on their dignity,
and they paid not nearly as much atten-
ton to the throngs as did the throngS TO
them. Two by two they marched. side by
side. keeping step. eyes round and serious.
movements precise. And at their head
walked Snubby and Muggsy. immaculate,
the holes in their stockings carefully con-
cealed by a plentiful application OF shoe
backing upon the legs beneath.
Up the avenue they marched. past Mad
ison square. past 34th street. past 42d
street and SO to the Plaza. Past great
hotels they marched. from the windows
of which SaZed men we'll Sroomed ana
women beautifully gowned. and nurse
guarded children. the raiment of any one
of whom was worth more than the aggre-
gate minds of the procession could com
prehend; past honking, shrieking, loot
ing automobiles and magnificent equip
ages: past hundreds and hundreds of hum
dreds of passersby. And at length they
reached the brownStone house. There
they formed in a line that extended the
entire frontage of the house and Tapped
over a bit on both sides. And then Snub-
by and Muggsy, side by side. walked up
the steps and the former rang the bell.
The butler, fat and pompous. opened the
door and stood in helpless amaZement and
deep disgust, gazing at the aSsemolage
before him.
rs Miss began Snubby; and then
he stopped. helpless, while he rummased
about in his pocket. At length he drew
forth a slip of dirty paper upon which ne
had copied as near as he was able the ao-
dress that had been upon the envelopes
that his employer had sent him to deliver.
"Is Miss-what 1t says herein! ne
asked rendering the paper TO the butler
with much dignity.
The butler gazed down on him in fat.
choleric, self-possession-s shaken anger.
Now. what" he began, vociferously;
and then a sweet voice from within IN
terrupted.
What is it. Parkins? Some one to see
me-" and she appeared on the steps be-
side the butler
With surprising unaninlity the entire
delegation gasped. With surprising una
nimity the entire delegation removed It's
hats. With surprising unanimity the eyes
sof the entire delegation grew round with
admiring wonder And the entire delega-
ton was so charmed that 1t forgot not to
forget its dignity.
A crowd was gathering, and. strange to
saw. a policeman had observed the gath
ering and. corpulent and imposing, was
making progress toward it that threat
ened disintegration and explanation.
fxx/OIT wish to see me?" asked Miss
What It Says Here. wonderlngIy
and vet with grave kindness.
Snubby could but nod.
Then come in, please" she invited;
and then. as Snubby turned inquirins
ewes upon his cohorts, she added: Yes,
all of you"
"Come on in, guys" ordered Snubby
And the delegation two by two. side BY
side. flied carefully up the steps and into
the house where it again lined up as bes
it was able.
The fat butler grunted disgustedly. The
crowd outside. encouraged by the helpful
policeman, moved on.
'Well?" said Miss What 1t Says Here
tentatively
Snubby liked her Immediately. The feel