Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1914-12-18

was during a lull Of conversation, and
while the philanthropic mind, per-
chance, wal wandering amid the outer
throng, and doubtless quoting to
Itself,
"Whene'er I take my walks abroad"
that our privacy was abruptly broken
Into by the grimy apparition of a boy
OF ten; q ragged little fellow-not the
5tereotyped edition Of the street waif,,
but q Cross between the bootblack and
the infantine Italian with the violin.
Where he had entered, and how,
YOU have puzzled us to answer; but
there he stood before US, as it were, in
a majesty Of insignificance. I have
never had the features of a boy inn
press me as did his, and as | stole a
covert glance at my companions / was
pleased to find the evidence Of more
than ordinary interest in their faces.
They gazed in attentive silence on the
little fellow, as, with uncovered
frowsy head, he stepped forward bold
ly, yet with an air of Difference as I'M
looked for as becoming.
II don't want to bother you gentle
MEMS" he began, in a frank but hest
tating tone that rippled hurriedly along
as he marked a general nod of indul-
gence for the interruption. Il don't
wan to bother nobody, but. II / can
raise 90 cents-and I've got a nickel
n II / can raise the rest-and It amt
much, you know-on'y 45-and IL I can
raise the rest-I tell you, gentlemens,"
he broke off abruptly, and speaking
with italicized sincerity, Il want list
80 cents, cause 1 can git a blackin' box
fer that, and brush and everything, and
you can bet IL had that l wouldn't hat
to asst nobody fer nothin'! And / amt
got no father ner mother. ner brother
ner-ner-no sisters. neither; but
that don't make no difference, cause
I'll work-at anything-yes, sir-when
l can git anything to do-and | sleep
list any place-and I amt had no
breakfast-and, honest, gentlemens,
I'm a good boy-I don't swear ner
smoke ner chew-but that's all right
-on'y if you1l-jist make up As be
tween you-and that's on'y Is cents
apiece-Irl thank you, / will, and I'll
list do anything-and it's coming
Christmas, and I'll roll in the nickels,
don't you fergit-if l on'y got a box
cause l throw up a bad shine!-and /:
can git the box fer so cents IL you gen.
tlemens'n on'y make up As between
you" At the conclusion Of this long
and rambling appeal, the little fellow,
stood waiting with an eager face for a
response.
A look Of stoical deliberation played
about the features of the Oldest men,
Der Of the group, as with an air Of seri-
BUSINESS, which, I think, even the boy
recognized az affected, he asked:
And you couldn't get a box like
that for-say, 40 cents? Fifty cents
looks like a lot OF money to lay out in
the purchase OF a backing box"
The boy smiled wisely as he an
swered:
Yes, it might look big to a Teller
that amt up on prices, but I think It's
cheap, cause it's a secondhand box,
and a 9 n would cost rs cents
anyhow - 'thout no brushes ner
nothIn'!"
In the meantime l had dropped into
the little fellows palm the only coin I
had In my possession, and we all
laughed as he closed his thanks with:
"Oh, come, cap, go the other nickel,
er I won't git out O here with half
enough!" and at hat he turned to the
former speaker.
We'll, really" said that gentleman.
fumbling In his pockets. II don't be-
lieye I've got a dime with me-"
"A dime" said the little fellow, with
a look Of feigned compassion. Amt
got a diner Maybe I'd loan you this
one!" And we all laughed again.
Tell you what do now said the
boy. taking advantage OF the moment,
and looking c%oaxingly into the smilins