The
laugh that came as my sense of humor was touched, instantly ceased as I
saw the flush that came to the boy's face. The other five boys wanted
to get at my boots, but this one had got at my heart, and I made up my
mind he should get at my boots as well, and straightway made known my
decision. This at once brought forth a volley of jibes and jeers and
cutting remarks. "Oh, 'His Royal Highness' gets the job, and he will
be prouder and meaner than ever, he will. Say, mister, he's too proud
to live, he is. He thinks he owns the earth, he does."
The flush deepened on the boy's face, and I drove his assailants away
ere I let him begin his work.
"Now, my boy, take your time, and you shall have extra pay for the job;
pardon me for laughing at you; don't mind those boys, but tell me why
they call you 'His Royal Highness?'"
He gazed up in my face a moment with a hungry look, and I said, "You
can trust me."
"Well, sir, they thinks I'm proud and stuck-up, 'cause I won't pitch
pennies and play 'craps' with 'em, and they says I'm stingy and trying
to own the earth, 'cause I won't chew tobacco and drink beer, or buy
the stuff for 'em.
Pages:
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159