Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-12
The Newsboy
Cripple

Cop.
There was scurrying of feet and
a confusion of grimy hands in the
struggle to recover the dice and pen
MES scattered within the snug circle
of excited newsboys gathered far up
D lane enjoying, apparently heed
less of consequences, a midday game
of much-forbidden crap"
In the wild scramble to save their
gambling implements" and neverthe-
less escape the bluecoated official
striding upon them, nobody thought of
poor Billy. But, with his papers UNI
der one arm, his crutch resting be-
meath the other and an empty trous-
ers leg dangling in the breeze, Billy,
with his companions, sought self
preservation.
D lane, for the surefooted was
none too good walking and treach-
erous spot found Billy in his mis-
fortune and brought him heavily to
the ground, his papers in an untidy
pile beside him and the crutch quito
beyond his reach.
The corners of his mouth dropped
ever so little as he looked up from
his uncomfortable position and beheld
the officer towering above him.
well, my lad, you seem to be the
one to go along with me- All the
rest have made good to get out of the
way. I'm mighty sorry I've got to
take you-one of the others would
have suited me better-much better.
But the sergeant detailed me especial
ly to stop this crap shooting. He says
1t can't go on"
The policeman spoke not unkindly,
but Billy, from his seat of earth,
heard, and knew that a plea for re-
lease would be wasted.
Here's your crutch, my boy. Come
on"
Jaw. let him off, can't yer?"
Billy and the policeman wheeled
about at this unexpected interference
from the rear. There, crawling from
beneath an empty barrel set forth by
one of the many restaurants along the
lane, his face and hair generously
streaked with a covering of -four TAX
en- on in his place Of refuge, came a
boy not much larger than Billy him
self-one of the circle of former "crap
shooters"
81 say, Billy amt done nothin' He
warn't shootin' with the bunch. The
last / see of Billy he was settin'
there eatin' his handout. Weren't
you, Billy?" Billy nodded complacent-
ly. yer pinchin', innocent man,
boss; straight goods.
Now" the boy went on pushing his
hands deep into his pockets and broad
ening his base, now, I'm one of the
bunch. I've got a pull with the gang,
If do say it myself, and if-if-you--
could only let Billy off-'cause he
amt done nothin' anyhow-I'n use my
'nfiooence with the crowd to stop the
shootin'-after-I- get-out-of the \
lookup"
For an instant a CLEAN of merri- I
ment beamed in the officers eyes, and
1t was with difficulty that he re-
strained a burst of genuine laughter.
But / can't do that for you; l
can't let either of you off, he said,
at last. "You know right from wrong
and-ah, here comes the sergeant
we'll let him settle it."
Billy shrank closer to his champion
as he felt his own tiny atom Of self /
completely overshadowed by this for
midable giant with shining buttons
and chevrons The contact lent the
intercessor strength for final appeal.
Sergeant, can l speak to you for
Billy? I don't mind for myself, but
Billy just can't go TO the lookup"
Nervously the child's fingers locked
and interlocked, but his gaze met tina
of the stalwart officer of the law un
fiinchingly. Breathlessly, he rushed
on.
'Billy's mother is home sick in bed
She's what you call an invalid Some
times she can work and help out and
sometimes Billy's got to do it all him
self cause he amt got no brothers
nor sisters, nor no father-just his
mother So we fellers found him q
good stand up in the square, but he
can't run after trade since he's los
his leg. Some swell guy run over him
with his auto and never stopped to
say howdy or good-by, and Billy'%
been up against 1t ever since and-S
and-shall tell 1t, Billy. bout slingins
the dice?" Billy hesitated. Shall II
Billy? It's up to you
Billy tried to grasp the significance
of this sudden bestowal of responsibility
ity and bowed a bewildered approval
We'll, then, bout this game O. crap,
sergeant" The boy lowered his eyes
and poked the dirt with the toe of his
muddy boot
About this game of crap-Billy's,
business hasn't been rushing lately
and so we rather planned to give hims
boost with crap game noontime,
till his ma got better. Some o. the
crowd got more'n you'd think out of
their papers and they have a pocket
full left for themselves. So they put