The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-09-20
The Newsboy
Cripple


struggle to recover the dice and PEN
niles scattered within the snug circle
of excited newsboys gathered far up
D lane enjoying. apparently heed
less of consequences, 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 un-
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 quite
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.
We'll, my lad. you seem to be the
one to 60 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 of, 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"
II say, Billy amt done nothin'. He
warnt 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. i
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 pull with the gang,
If do say 1t myself, and if-if-you- |
could only let Billy off-'cause he |
amt done nothin' anyhow-I'u use my
'nfooence with the crowd to stop the |
shootin'-after--I-g the
lookup
For an instant CLEAN of merri- |
ment beamed in the officers eyes, and
1t was with difficulty that he re-
strained burst of genuine laughter. |
"But can't do that for you; |
can't let either of you off," he said, |
at last. "You know right from wrong
and-ah, here comes the sergeant
well 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 a final appeal
Sergeant, can speak to you for
Billy? / 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 that
of the stalwart officer of the law I'M
flinchingly. 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 1t all him
self cause he amt got no brothers
nor sisters, nor no father-just his
mother. So we fellers found him a
good stand up in the square, but he
can't run after trade since he's lost
his leg. Some swell guy run over him
with his auto and never stopped to
say howdy or good-by, and Billy's
been up against It ever since and
and-shall tell 1t, Billy, bout slingin'
the dice?" Billy hesitated. "Shall I,
Billy? It's up to you"
Billy tried to grasp the significance
OF this sudden bestowal Of responsible
fly and bowed a bewildered approval.
We'll, then, bout this game o. crap.
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 him
a boost with a 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 pocket
full left for themselves. So they put
a good bit Of II up in game o. crap
for Billy, just to boost him along.
That's what We was dom today, SER
geant, but we got pinched. II you
could only let Billy off-if-you--"
"That will do, my boy" The ser
geant's voice was very gentle. you
Q all fha root ~ The hova xho- ~r,.x |