Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-05-23
The GOVERNOR
i AND The BOY
Nice Little Human Interest
Story Incidental to the
Paterson Dinner.
LAD WANTED TO GO TO WORK.

Dig 7eartec Elk Gtves COY Aovtcs, anu
Governor Wilson Supplements It
With Kindly Words-Differsnce Be-
tween Education and ignorance Ex-
piained at the Proper Time.
Especial Correspondence
Trenton, n. .J.-If you want to know
" hat kind Of man Governor Wilson
is, just ask little Frank Marino, a boot
black Of Paterson.
Frank is fourteen years old. He first
met the overnor upon the occasion OF
the big dinner given to the governor
recently by the Democrats of Paterson.
The way the little fellow reached
his excellency is interesting. e. A.
Wilkinson, the agent of the Mott Auto
Engine company of Minneapolis, was
in Paterson on business and was a
guest at the Elks' club, where Cover
nor Wilson was also entertained. Mr.
Wilkinson had read and heard great
deal about the New Jersey governor,
and at a late hour he decided that he
would attend the dinner. He had to
dress hurriedly and asked that the
first bootblack that came along be sent
to his room to shine his Shoes while
he was preparing for the function.
The boy sent up was Frank Marine,
fourteen years old, who attends the
Passaic street school, AS the youth
piled his brush he looked up at the
customer and asked:
''Are you wild de guy nor?''
NO" was the reply, "but 1 expect
to see the governor at the dinner to-
night"
The lad seemed to be disappointed
Gee | wish my father was a guv'-
nor" declared the bootblack. "Wen,"
said the auto apparatus man, that's
the desire of every boy, I suppose-to
have father who is g great man. But
why do you wish III" "Just because l
want to go to work was the reply.
snow me mudder won't let me. She.
says: Go to school, boy, while ye kin.
There'll be enough time for We to
work Mr.. Wilkinson pointed out to
the youth the benefit of an education
and that his mother knew what was
best for him: that he would be able to
be somebody and occupy a position in
life If he was educated, which would
not be the case If he started out to
face the worlds realities at such an
early age. He referred to the legisia-
ton that prevented boys Of tender
years from securing employment.
You stick to school for few years,
sonny, You'll have plenty Of time to
work after awhile" BY this time the
Minneapolis visitor was ready for the
spread. He wanted some change and
went downstairs for it, saying to the
boy as he did so: "You stay here. I'll
be back in a moment"
"Oh. I'll stay here, and / won't steal
anything either!'
When Mr.. Wilkinson returned the
bootblack was nowhere to be seen and
unconsciousiy he took glance around
his room. Nothing was missed. He
wondered how the boy got away with
out being seen, and the thought puzzled
him. And why had he left so uncere-
moniously when he was so interesting?
Mr.. Wilkinson was prepared to think
OF the bootblack pleasantly when the
boy appeared again at his door. his
face wreathed in smiles.
"Well, ! seed the guv'nor," he de-
clared excitedly.
You did? Why, where did you see
him!' he was asked. Frank told Of
looking around and Of finding the man
whose picture he had so often seen IN
the newspapers In the very next room
Il went in and said, 'Howdy do. guv.-
nor? He smiled and shook hands with
me. Glad to see ye,' says de guy,nor
Then ! asked him to get me permit
to go to work.
Mr.. Wilkinson was both amused and
astonished at the nerve Of the young
ster.
And what did he say to your he
asked.
Oh" replied Frank, "he told me lest
what you did-ter go ter school, mind
me mudder and I'd get along all right
He sed he couldn't give me permit to
work; was too young YET
We'll, do you think the governor i
right?' inquired the man.
"oh, yes; guess he's about right"
replied the boy as he scampered out OF
the building.
Some Of the Elks are WONDERING
whether Mr. Wilkinson did not feel a
little Jealous that the boofblack should
have reached the governors quarters
for such pleasant chat The state
executive was near By, and he decided
that he, too, would go and pay his re-
spects to the man who is in line for
the presidential nomination. The boys
call and request served as fine intro
duction. Mr.. Wilkinson knocked at tn,
door OF his temporary neighbor ana
made himself known. After exchane
ing greetings they talked about the III