Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-12-17


was during lull of conversation, and
while the philanthropic mind, per-
chance, was wandering amid the outer
throng, and doubtless quoting to
itself,
.Whene'er / take my walks abroad"
that our privacy was abruptly broken
into by the grimy apparition of a boy
of ten; a ragged little fellow-not the
stereotyped edition of the street waif,
but cross between the bootblack and
the infantine Italian with the violin.
Where he had entered, and how,
would have puzzled us to answer; but
there he stood before US, as it were, in
a majesty of insignifcance. / have
never had the features of boy i'm
press me as did his. and as I stole a
covert glance at my companions l 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 un-
looked for as becoming.
81 don't want to bother you gentle
MEMS" he began, in frank but hesi-
tating tone that rippled hurriedly along
as he marked general nod of indul-
gence for the interruption. Il don't
want to bother nobody, but if I can
raise so cents-and I've got nickel
and if can raise the rest-and it amt
much, you know-on'y 45-and if I can
raise the rest-I tell you, gentlemens, :"
he broke off abruptly, and speaking
with italicized sincerity Il want jist
so cents, cause can git blackin' box
fer that, and brush and everything, and
you can bet if had that | wouldn't hat
to asst nobody fer nothin'! And l 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 aEything-yes, sir-when
/ can git anything to do-and | sleep
jist any place-and l amt had no
breakfast honest, gentlemens,
I'm a good boy-I don't swear ner
smoke ner chew-but that's all right
-on'y if you'll-jist make up As be
tween you-and that's on'y Is cents
apiece-Ill thank you, | will, and I'll
jist DO anything-and it's coming
Christmas, ard I'll roll in the nickels,
don't you fergit-if l on'y got a box
cause l throw up bad shine!-and
can git the box fer so cents if 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 mem
Der of the group, as with an air of seri-
BUSINESS, which, think, evea the boy
recognized as affected, he asked:
And you couldn't get box like
that for-say, 40 cents? Fifty cents
looks like lot of money to lay out in
the purchase Of a backing box"
The boy smiled wisely as he an
swered:
Yes, it might lock big to Teller
that amt up on prices, but | think it's
cheap, cause it's a secondhand box,
and new one would cost rs cents
anyhow - 'thout no brushes ner
0Otilh
In the meantime I had dropped into
the little fellows PAIN the only coin
had in my possession, and we all
laughed as he closed his thanks with:
oh. come, cap, go the other nickel,
er | won't git out O here with half
enough" and at that he turned to the
former speaker
We'll, really" said that gentleman,
fumbling in his pockets, Il don't be-
lieye I've got a dime with me-
"A dime" said the little fellow, with
a look of feigned compassion. "Ain't
got dime? 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 coaxiugly into the sxf