Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-11-14
REAL FRIEND IN NEED
STORY OF JAMES T. BRADY AND
A NEW YORK NEWsBOY.
Famous Lawyer Rescued Orphan
From Poverty and Started Him
On Way to Prosperity.

1t is several years ago now. but
this story was told me shortly after
my admission to the bar; it left a
lasting impression. writes William
Sulzer in the New York Times.
How the biting-coId wind howled
and whistled that night as it swept
down avenues and around corners.
a lawyer, whose fame was known far
and near, had just left his Office on
Broadway, where he had been de-
tanned by an important consultation.
and was Fastening as fast as he could
uptown. At the corner of Duane
street he saw a newsboy leaning
against the lamp post; under his left
arm were a few evening papers. He
was shivering with the cold and cry
ing. His shoes were broken so you
could see his bare feet His clothes
were ragged.
He may have stood there for an
hour or more; hundreds of people had
passed him. Not so the lawyer. One
glance told him the story; he ap-
preached the little urchin, and in
CURED the trouble. The boy, amid
sobs, said that it was his birthday: he
was Just five years old; he had been
out all the afternoon trying to sell
his papers, with small success. The
only friend he had in the worId-his
widowed mOther-was lying i'll in a
tenement house a few blocks away.
The story touched the heart of his
QUesti0uer. He took the boy by the
hand and led him home Up the
rickety stairs to the top floor of the
tenement; he opened the door into a
little garnet room: striking a match
he lit the remains Of an old candle
To the side of the room some one
was breathing heavily. 1t was a wom-
an lying on what was not even an
apology for a bed Squalor and de-
spair only were there. A hurried
glance around told all. The little
newsb0y's mother lay there; she was
asleep. The boy went over and kissed
her affectionately He put his arms
around her neck and said, Wake up,
mamma, wake up, here's a nice man
who wants to see you"
She awoke with a start, dazed and
frightened. The stranger reassured
her. She had a raging fever-she was
dying there alone, and as well as she
could she told her story of hardship
and trials.
The lawyer summoned a physician,
and everything that could be done TO
save her life was done But the dread
disease mad progressed too far. and,
notwithstanding the best medical aid,
she died the next day. and the news
boy was an orphan That week was
a busy one for the lawyer He neg
lected briefs, and clients, and cases.
He personally superintendent the buri-
al of the woman After the funeral
he took charge of the orphan, sent
him to school and college, and for
years did for him all that father
could do for loved SON
The lawyer has long since gone to
his reward. The little newsboy is a
prosperous merchant today in New
York. He is loved and respected by
all for his kindly spirit and his many
generous benefactions.
He has an Office downtown, and
over his desk, in most conspicuous
place, hangs a large picture. Every
lawyer in the state knows that picture
that massive head, those curly
locks, that stern, kindly countenance
the picture of the newsboy's bene-
factor, James T. Brady.