The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1914-12-18

quarter he saw me slip her; and u
5tst happened run into him that eve
ming and got him in, or he'd froze to
death. / guess he must "a kind o had
'em last night. cause he waa the wild.
est S,sn yor ever sse-ssw grasshop-
pers with paper collars on. and old
sows with feather-duster taila-the
durndest program you ever heard OIL
And he got so bad onc't he was a.goin'
to belt Sis. and did try It; and-and I
had to chug him one or he'd a, done It
And then he cried, and Sis cried, and
1 cri--. I Dern him! you can bet yer
life didn't cry!" And az the boy
spoke. the lips quivered into stern com.
preston. the little hands gripped closer
at his side, but for ell that the flashing
eyes grew blurred and the lids dropped
downward.
That's boss shine on them Shoes
! was mechanically telling over In
my hand the three small coins I had
drawn from my pocket.
That Is nice Job" said gazing
with an unusual show Of admiration at
the work; and l thought" continued
]. with real regret, that had two
dimes and nickel there, and was
thinking that, as these were Christmas
times. I'd just give you q quarter for
your work"
Honest, Cep?"
"Honest!" repeated. "but the fact
is the two dimes. as ! thought they
were. are only two three-cent pieces, 80
] have only eleven cents in change,
after ALL" ..
"Spect they'd change q bill fer you
'crost there at the lunch counter" he
suggested, with charming artlessness.
Wont have time-there's my train
Just coupling. But take this-In see
you again some time. perhaps"
How big q bill is it you want
changed?" asked the little fellow, with
most acquisitive expression, and a
swift glance at our then lonely sur.
roundlngB.
I only have one bill with me-" said
!, neryously, and that's a five"
well, here. then" said the boy, hur.
riedly. with another and more scrutin.
izing glance about him-"guess I can
'conmodate you" And as I turned
In wonder, he drew from some mysteri
.ous recess In the lining Of his coat
roll of bills. from which he hastily de-
tached four In number, then returned
the roll; and before, I, had recovered
from my surprise. he had .whisked the
note from my fingers and left In my
hand instead the proper change.
This Is on the dead, now! Cap
Don't you ever cheep about me ilavin
wealth, you know; cause 1t amt mint
that is. 1t il mine. but I'm a.
There goes yer train. Tastn!!,..: ~
THE day before Christmas" !" said I
snatUhihg his hand. and speaking hur
riedly--athe day before Christmas Tn
coming back. and ifsSyourIebe, here
when the fve-thlrty train rolls In you'll;
find man that wants '4his boots
blacked--nayhe 10 get married in. OF
something anyway he'll want a shine
like this. ,snd he'll come prepared tc
pay the highest market rr.cs-d, you
understand" 's p
:-"You 1lHt tell that feller fer me-"
said the boy. eclipsing the twinkle OF
one eye. and dropping his voice. to an
infiecuon.of strictest confdence-''you
jist: tel. that feller fer me that Pm his'
Jysatter 5i i,,,:s. (. y. -, =.
s.-rAnd you'll meet him. aureS" said l.
I wiii." said, the boy. And he kept
his word. 4; ;.;s- Il s$,:sI ~ r.
siss.s 81 ~: ;s 'i;s.sls,
My ride home was san incoherent
futtering Of the wings of time, in
which travail one fratfnl hour was
born. to gasp its first few minutes help
lessly; then moan, roll over and kick
ont It's legs and sprawl about: then
crawl e llltle.----ste sger :ta: its feet and
totter On: then, tumble down attime or
two and knock IT'S empty head against
the floor and howl; then loom up awk.
wardly on gansling legs, too much in
rs NJ
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