THE NEW BOOTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3262, 20 October 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE NEW BOOTS.

From ‘*Tho Confessions o' an Old Burglar,” in tho Westminster Gneelte J. Hearing by some chance that tho Koyal George, an old-fashioned hotel in the town, wag in want of n “ Boots," once upon a time, the old burglar assumed his favourite disguise, and paid the landlord a call. This disguise was nono other . than tho sombre costume worn by a minister of tho holy Gospel. Those habiliments (alas I) arc too often but tho cloak for evil-doers. A shining coal of black, with trousers of the same hue, a seemly white tie, and a wideawake hat might have deceived many a shrewder man than Mr McGillicUddy, the pushing propietor of tho house in question. But such ministers frequented tho Itoyal George when on their travels, and their presence gave the hotel an odour of sanctity which was highly conducive to a prosperous business. It was greatly frequented by the good. 11 Tho Reverend Archibald Maclcod,” said bo, when tho minister sent up his card. “ Show him in.” Thereupon Mir Maclcod entered, and lifter some agreeable preliminaries hogged to introduce to Mr McGillicuddy’s friendly notice a worthy young man who had been recommended to him by several gentleI men well known in the city. The minister pleaded so eloquently for Sandy, and mentioned by tho way so many wellknown citizens and other ministers of the Gospel, and gave him such a good character, that tho worthy landlord soon agreed to give him a trial. The minister thanked him sincerely, bade him good morning, and wont hia way. . ,

That evening Sandy duly appeared at the George—a slim, simple-looking youth —with his humble box of belongings, ami was at once initiated into his duties. In a few days Mr McGillicuddy saw that he had got a treasure of a servant j he would carry the biggest trunks without a murmur; his boots shono like mirrors ; ho ate little; he drank water; ho was unceasingly civil and obliging ; ho was indifferent about wages; and he never wanted sleep. In short, a master could not desire a belter servant. Not content With, pursuing the avocations which are proper to a “boots,” Sandy actually asked for more work, and if Mr McGillicuddy had not been over brooding over the bawbees he might very likely have been suspicious of such nnusuol zeal. But ho was only too glad to get a man who did the work of half a dozen. It was perhaps not unnatural thatone who could give such a polish to a pair of boots should also be able to make old silver shine like now. Never did Mr Gillicuddy’s, plate attract so much attention from his numerous guests. as when Sandy had charge of it. And many a time when looking it up in the pantry did he pay the smiling Sandy a compliment upon his skill, and then went off with the key in his pocket, feeling very grateful to the Reverend Archibald Macleod, minister of the holy Qospeh Indeed, more than once he asked. for that gentleman’s ad: dress that he might write and thank him, but Sandy didn’t know it, he was sorry to say. He himself would like to express his gratitude to his benefactor. I ’Ah ! “ said Mr McGillicuddy, casting his eye up to the ceiling till you could but see the whites of them. “ Sandy is one that loves to hide his light under a bushel. And yet Sandy was inditing constant epistles to him, though they were not addressed, “ Reverend,” to bo sure, nor yet “ Macleod !" i Not only did he write, but during one of the brief hours which he snatched from the calls of duty he actually mot someone very like him at the corner of a dark byway, and handed him a beautiful calto of white was. A week or two later they met again at the same place, and the gentleman who bore such a strong resemblance to the minister of the Gospel, though ho wore a gay suit'of tweed and was smoking a big cigar, handed Sandy a key. More epistles passed between the pair, and one night bout eleven o’clock a guest arrived, clad like & commercial traveller, but carrying only a carpet bag of considerable capacity. He said his samples would follow him on the morrow, called for some whisky, and soon afterwards retired to his chamber. . As the invaluable “ boots ” was going along the passage gathering up the articles after which he was christened, a door opened, a head appeared, and in a gruff whisper, the commercial" traveller said: “Is it time?” “ Wait a bit,” returned Sandy, picking up the boots. “ Have ye put the laudanum in ? " “ Aye.” “ Has he supped it up ? " “Aye." Then the commercial traveller retired, and shut the door, and “ boots" went in his silent way, chalk in hand, and slowly made his way dowstairs. About half an hour after this mysterious coversation took place Sandy crept upstairs again, and scratched at the commercial traveller’s door. “ Is it time ?" said the sentlemam, putting out a predatory head. “ He’s off.” The commercial gentleman at once stepped out on the landing, still in his clothes, and carrying with him his carpet bag. In a moment the two reached the hall, and there, snug in-his chair, was the night watchman, snoring stertorously, with a pot of tea and an empty cup on the table at his side. Ah, Mr McGillicuddy would have given many bawbees if he could but have seen his model “boots" and the commercial gentleman with the carpet-bag at this moment. They went straight to the pantry, un, locked it, filled the bag with plate, abstracted the key of the big front door from the recumbent watchman, and walked quietly out into the night. Loud were the cries for the model “ boots "in the morning 1 But in vain 1 Mr McGillicuddy was in despair at his losses, and sent for the police. The police listened, and then said: “ Find the Reverend Archibald Macleod end you will find the missing property." But Mr McGillicuddy scoffed at the suggestion. However, on being challenged, he wrote to one of the well-known gentlemen whom the Reverend Alexander had mentioned when recommending Sandy for the vacant situation.

“ I never hoard of him," came the answer. And by the same post arrived a key, wrapped in a bit of paper, on which Mr McGilliouddy read the following: “With thanks and compliments from the lievereud Archibald Maeleod, Minister of the Holy Gospel. God bless you.’"