The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1910-03-15

Ole Tray Of Rinps
How Dnky, The Newshoy Made Good in The Jswsy Sore

wv r. Rose in Cleveland Plain Deaer1 u

The jeweler looked up as the boy
entered the store.
"Hullo," he said and turned back
to the watch he was repairing.
"Hullo," the boy echoed. "Lemme
take your broom"
The jeweler nodded and the boy
lodging behind a show case found
what he wanted
moment later the jeweler cast a
quick glance toward the front win
dows and saw that the lad was brisk
ly sweeping the sidewalk-with divers
wild antics
1t was early in the morning of the
day before Christmas-too early in
the morning for the Christmas buyers.
But the little jewelry store was pre-
pared for their coming The stock was
In its most attractive order, the floor
was clean and the show cases were
carefully busted
The proprietor, a dark young man
with curly hair and a short mustache
looked around with a good deal of sat
isfaction.
Then the door reopened and the boy
ohu DIOOll IcluTueu.
ut looks billion times better" said
the boy as he replaced the broom
He was thin boy of perhaps fifteen,
why boy with light eyes and hair
that was even more curly than the
jewelers.. He was a poorly dressed
boy and the little package of newspa-
pers he had placed on show case
when he came in, told of his occupa-
ton.
"You pretty well, boy?" said the
jeweler
I'm always just the same" the boy
replied He had a sharp, quick way of
speaking, and he drew one eyelid down
q little when he spoke. Say, you're
Swiss, amt your"
The jeweler nodded
YES" he answered. Swiss"
Shorty McGinn said you were Eye
talian, an knocked his nose for him.
How's business %
Very good. Excellent. So greatly
better than last year. But you asked
me the same yesterday.
Sure. It's our business, amt it?
Yours and mine. It's right for me to
know what's doing. If | was a outsid-
or I'd only show me interest in de shop
In different way. I'd show it by buy
Ing things-a sunburst, maybe, or a
string of pearls for me goil, or one of
them boss timers. But beln on de in
side only says, 'How's business?'"
The jeweler laughed.
Il hope | will be always ready with
the same answer" he said. you may
leave me newspaper"
The boy nodded.
Say" he began, 81 think pretty
well of you. I'm pulling for yer shop
all can It's just as say-I feel like
l got interest here, see? It's a nice
business. It's clean an neat, and dere
amt much liftin'. like de way you
sticks de glass in yer eye an looks at
de innards of watch. Dis is de bust
ness fer me. When you goin' to take
me inter Partnership
The jeweler laughed merrily.
The boy wrinlIled his short nose.
We'll, don't you forget it." he said
and turned toward the door.
Wait" the jeweler called to him.
The boy turned back You're forget
ting it is the Christmas day, tomor-
! row."
Il never forget nothin," laughed the
boy. mot even me umbrelly."
The jeweler produced a slip of pa.
| per.
Here is an order for one good pair
Of shoes" he said you get them
at Slngletons He is a customer OF
mine. They must be good You will
/ pick them Out-and take Merry
christmas away with each of them
And he smilingly extended the Or
der
The boy hung back.
"Wot you givin' me?" he demanded
| in low tone that was almost bitter
you amt payin me cause / sweeps
around a little an dusts de show cases
an cleans of dc snow, are you?
don't want no pay fer dat. It's pay
enough fer me to drop in here an cit
me toes warmed an watch de way
youse monkeys wit de little wheels. /
don't want no shoes just for loaAn
around an joshin'"
The jeweler still extended the order
''You will hurt my feelings II You
don't take It," he said I'm my coun-
try nobody ever refuses Christmas
Bft give It to you because like
you, and not because I wish to pay
YOU"
The boy slowly extended his hand
and took the order
We'll, what do you think Of that?"
ne hoarsely murmured lie stared
down at his feet. AN I need em. too
But, honest. amt got nothin to give
/ you"
The jeweler laughed
you give me a merry Christmas"
no said Come. we will shake hands
and say it together"
L