The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

Don't dey' never slip up?' persisted Snubby.
 Nav. How can dey? Amt it a delega- tion?'
 Snubby was again in thought. The dog wagged his disused tail appealingly Snub- by responded with another pat and turned again to Muggsy. And much more was said. But no one, save these two, and the dog, heard.
 It was at the height of the church pa- rade that a strange procession wended its way up the crowded avenue. It was com posed of a large number of small boys very small boys-boys with the bodies of 10 and the faces of 40-boys with patched holes in their trousers, boys with un- patched holes in their trousers, 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 tl.eir dignity, 1 and they paid not nearly as much atten- l tion to the throngs as did the throngs to them. Two by two they marched, side by side keeping step; eyes round and serl- ! ous, movements precise And at their head walked Snubby and Muggsy, im- maculate, the holes in their stockings carefully concealer by a plentiful applica- ton of shoe backing upon the legs be- meath.
 Up the avenue they marched, past Mad ison square, past Thirty-fourth street. past Forty-second street and to the Plaza. Past great hotels they marched, from the windows of which gazed men well-groomed and women beautifully gowned, and nurse-guarded children the raiment of any one of whom was worth more than the aggregate minds of the procession could mprehend--past honk- ing, shrieking, footing automobiles and magnificent equipages-past hundreds, and i hundreds of hundreds of passersby; and at length they reached the brownstone house. There they formed in line that extended the entire frontage of the house and Tapped over bit on both sides. And ! then Snubby 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 assemblage before him.
 'Is Miss -" began Snubby; and then he stopped helpless, while he rummaged about in his pocket. At length he drew forth a slip of dirty paper upon which he had copied as near as he was able the address that had been upon the envelope i that his employer had sent him to de- : liver.
 , "Is Miss what it says here in?' he { with much dignity. The butler gazed down on him in fat, choleric, self-possesion-shaken anger.
 Now what" he began vociferously; and then a sweet voice from within in terrupted
 What is it. Parkins? Some one to see mel" and she appeared on the steps be- side the butler.
 With surprising unanimity the entire delegation gasped. With surprising un- animity the entire delegation removed it's hats. With surprising unanimity the eyes of the entire delegation grew round with admiring wonder. And the entire delegation was so charmed that it forgot rot to forget it's dignity.
 A crowd was gathering, and strange to say, a policeman had observed the gathering, and. corpulent and imposing, was making progress toward it that threatened disintegration and explana- ton.
 You wish to see me?' asked Miss What It Says Here, wonderingly and yet with grave kindness.
 Snubby could but nod.
 "Then come in, please" she invited; and then, as Snubby turned inquiring eyes upon his cohorts, she aoded, 'Yes, all of you"
 "Corne on in, guys" ordered snubby. And the delegation two by two, side by side, flleC carefully up the steps ana lnto the house, where it again lined up as best 1t was able.
 The fat butler grunted disgustedly. The crowd outside, encouraged by the help ful policeman. moved on.
 "Wen?" said Miss What It Says Here, tentatively.
 Snnbby liked her immediately. The feelings of the rest of the delegation were but too apparent They stood like worshipers at a shrine.
 She was looking down at Snubby, dark eyes, red lips smiling; and he felt his heart expand until it almost worked his ribs loose.
 Hes good guy" he declared. You oughter marry him."
 She looked surprised then amazed then she laughed; then she looked surprised again.
 "Whom?" she queried.
 "Why, me boss, O course" returned Snubby Since he got that letter yer writ him." he went on,-''he ain't ben no good for nut n'-he's all in. An he don't never laugh no more-jestt sets an looks ali de wal wot ain't got nut'n' on 1t ter look at An once he says ter me, 'Snubby xots de user An l says, Cheer up.