Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-05-11
The GOVERNOR
AND THE BOY
Human Interest Story About
the Paterson Dinner.
Special Correspondence.l

Trenton. N. J.-If you want to know
what kind of q man Governor Wilson
is, just ask little Frank Marine, a boot
black of Paterson.
Frank is fourteen years old. He first
met the governor upon the occasion Of
the big dinner given to the governor
recently by the Democrats of Paterson.
The way the little fellow reached
his excellelcy 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 A great
deal about the New Jersey governor,
and at q late hour be decided that he
would attend the dinner. He had TO
dress hnrriedly and asked hat 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 Marino.
Passaic street school. AS the youth
piled his brush he looked up at the
customer and asked:
Are you wild de guv'norf'
No" was the reply, but I expect
to see the governor at the dinner TO
night"
The lad seemed to be disappointed.
Gee, I wish my father was q auv'-
nor" declared the bootblack. Well"
said the auto apparatus man. that's
the desire Of every boy, | suppose-to
nave Il father who is q great man. But
why do you wish it7'' Just because l
want to so to work" was the reply.
Now me mudder won't let me. She
says: Go to school, boy, while We kin.
Therell 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 occupv a position in
life If be was educated, which would
not be the case II he started out to
face the worlds realities at such an
early age. He referred TO the iegisla-
" tAbA ttVNuitSh DOtS cI ISilUpE
years from securing employment.
You stick to school for a few wears.
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 1t, saying to the
boy as he did so: You stay here. I'll
be back in a moment
"Oh, ny stay here, and I won't steal
anything ether
When Mr.. Wilkinson returned the
b%ootblack was nowhere to be seen. and
unconsclously he took a glance around
his room. Nothing a missed. He
wondered how the boy got away with
out being seen, and the thought puzzled
him. n why had he left SO uncere-
moniously when he was so interesting?
Mr.. Wilkinson was prepared to think
Of the bootblack pleasantly when rhe
boy appeared again at his door. his
face wreathed In smiles.
Well, seed the %guv'nor,' he de-
clared excitedIy.
You did? Why, where did you see
him?' he was asked. Frank told OF
looking around and Of ending the man
who's picture he had SC often seen in
the newspapers in the very next room
i went In and said. 'Hody do. guy
norF He smiled and shook hands with
me. clad to see ye,' says de guv'nor
1hen 1 asked him TO get ME a permit
to go to work"
Mr., Wilkinson was both amused and
aston1shed at the nerve of the young
ster.
And what did he say to your he
asked.
oh replied Frank, che 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 a permit to
work; | WAS too young yet"
We'll, DO you think the governor Is
rightT" 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 boothlack should
have reached the governors quarters
for such a pleasant chat. The state
executive WAS near by, and he decided
that he, too. would 20 n pay his re-
! spects to the man who IL In line for
the presidential nomination. The boys
call and request served as a hne intro
duction. Mr.. Wilkinson knocked at the
door Of his temporary neighbor and
made himself known. After exchang,
ing greetings they talked about the Hit
tie fellow with the ambition to become
o breadwinner before the law would
permit him. What advice did you
give the chap asked Mr.. Wilkinson.
We'll" said Governor Wilson, 81
could not help but overhear your con,
versation with him, and when he made
such an earnest plea for permission 70
go 10 work l could do no better than to