The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-12-10

was during a lull OF conversations anu
while the philanthropic mlnd' per
chance. was wandering amid the outer
throng. and doubtless quoting 10
itself
"Whene'er | take my walks aDroau'
that our privacy was abruptly broken
into by the grimy apparition OF boy
of ten, ragged little fellow-not the
stereotyped edition of the street wall
but a cross between the bootblack ana
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
O majesty of insignifcance. | have
never had the features Of boy I'M
press me as did his, and as ! stole
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 UNI
looked for as becoming.
Il don't want TO bother you gentle
mems" he began, in a frank but hesi-
tating tone that rippled hurriedly along
as he marked a general nod of indul'
gence for the interruption. Il don't
want to bother nobody, but If ] can
caise so cents-and I've got a nickel
and IL can raise the rest-and il amt
much, you know--on'y 45-and II | can
raise the rest--I tell you, gentlemens,"
he broke off abruptly, and speaking
with italicized sincerity, Il want list
90 cents, cause can git blackin' box
fer that, and brush and everything, and
you can bet If had that wouldn't haf
10 asst nobody fer nothin'! And ! amt
got no father ner mother, ner brother
ner-neT-no sisters, neither; but
that don't make no difference, cause
I'll work--at anything-yes, sir-when
/ can git anything to do--and | sleep
jist any place-and | amt had no
breakfast-and honest, gentlemens,
I'm a good BOY don't swear ner
smoke ner chew-but that's all right
--on'y If you'll-jist make up 45 be
tween yOu-and that's On'y Is cents
ayiece-l'll thank you, | viii, and I'll
fist do anything-and It's coming
Christmas, and I'll roll in the niCkels.
don't you fergit-if | on'y got box
cause | throw up a bad shine'-and
can git the box FER 50 cents If you gen
tlemens'l on'y make up 4j 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 dellberation played
about the features of the oldest mem
Der Of the group as with an air of seri-
business, which | think, even the boy
recognized as affected, he asked:
And you couldn't get box like
that for-say 40 cents? Fifty cents
locks like lot OF money to lay out In
the purchase of a backing box"
The boy smiled wisely as he an
swered
Yes, 1t might look big to a Teller
that amt up on prices, but ! think it's
cheap, cause it's secondhand box,
and new one would cost rs cents
anyhow - 'thout no brushes ner
nothnN"
In the meantime ! had dropped into
the little fellows palm the only coin |
had in my possession, and we all
laughed as he closed his thanks with:
"Oh, come, cap, 30 the other nickel
or | won't git out o here with hall
enough" and at that he turned to the
former speaker.
well, really" said that gentleman
fumbling In his pockets. Il don't be
ieve I've got dime with me"
"A dime, said the little fellow, with
look Of feigned compassion "Ain't
got a dime? Maybe I'd loan you this
one!" And we all laughed again.
Tell you what do now," said tn,