The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-11-02
THE MESSENGER BOY.

When Bobby is Bobby. and just
mothers five-year-old boy, his shoes
often go thump-thump-thump on the
floor, but when he is pony he lifts
his feet so neatly and capers about so
softly that you would never think OF
naming him anything but Lightfoot.
When Bobby is Bobby, he does not
always remember to be polite when
asking for things, but when he is
pet collie he gives one gentle bark for
Please" and two for "Thank you,"
and the doggy never forgets.
When Bobby is Bobby, and mother
needs his help, he sometimes says, in
a sulky way: "Oh. no. ] don't want
tot
This happened yesterday. and
what do you think mother did, as
soon as she heard the cross little
voice.,
She went to the corner of the room
and said: "Ting-a-ling Ting-a-ling!
Messenger service? Can you send me
a messenger boy to help me to-day?
No, not so very large, but nice and
pleasant. Five years old? That's
pretty young, unless he's very bright.
oh, he is! and willing. too! Why, I
believe he's just what | want viii
you send him right away, please?"
Then she waited, and in a minute
there came tap at the door; for,
while she had been talking, Bobby
had stopped scowling and slipped out
into the hall
Come I'M" called mother, and
there in the open door stood smiling
boy, cap in hand.
rs this the messenger boy I just
ordered?"
yes, lady," said a bright voice,
fand can stay all day with you. if
you want me. What shall do first?"
well, had basket of food to
send across the street to poor Mrs.
Finnegan, but my little boy thought
it was too heavy. and you don't look
much stronger than he does"
''Humph!" said the messenger boy.
cheerily, picking up the basket TITS
light as a fy!" and away he went. He
was back again in a minute, rosy
checked and smiling, and asking,
What next, ma ann"
Il wonder If you can wipe dishes?"
said mother.
Sure! I used to do it for my
mother before l was a messenger boy,
and / made EN- shine, too"
So. while he polished the plates,
mother made pie for dinner, and the
messenger boys eyes shone when he
saw that she was cutting out small
round pieces for tarts.
Say, lady!" said he, 81 can put the
jelly in EN-"
"Oh, that's good" said mother.
my Bobby sometimes does that, and
l always have him taste the jelly first
to see if it's just right"
I'm very good jelly-taster." said
the messenger boy. and his face
beamed when mother handed him a
large spoonful of the beautiful red
jelly.
II wonder" mother said after a
while, "if you might stay to luncheon
with me. I'm all alone to-day"
We'll" said the messenger boy,
they don't often let me. but you're
such nice lady that think 'twouid
be all right-and, maybe!-'cause
you're so very nice, 1 might-sleep
here Tonight you want me to-"
But where could you sleep?"
asked mother.
Why. s'pose your little boy has a
bed?"
ooh. yes; one all his own. right by
the side of mine"
Well" said the messenger hoy.
with a funny look at her. why
couldn't you take your little boy into
your bed, and let me sleep in his?"
Messenger boy" said mother, IT
shall have to kiss you!" The little
messenger boy moved slowly toward
her Us 'pose-you-could," he
said. "I-don't-b' lieve-they d.
care" Then he gave run and
climbed into her lap.
"You see," he whispered. hugging
her tight, they couldn't mind
you're such a very sweet, dear LADY,"
--Rosalie M. Cody, in Little Folks.
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