They AH Helped.

Otago Witness, Issue 2675, 21 June 1905, Page 87

They AH Helped.

Th's incident happened in the streets of London. A gentleman hailed a bootblack for a shine. The lad came rather slowly for one- of that lively guild, and before he could get his brushes out another larger boy ran up and pushed him aside, saying, "Here, you go and set down, Jimmy!" The gentleman was indignant at what he> •deemed apiece of outrageous bullying, and sharply told the newcomer to clear out. "Oh, that's all right," was the reply. "I'm only going to do it for him. You see, he's "been ill »n the hospital for more'n a. month, and can't do much work yet, so us boys all turn- in and give him a lift when we can." 'Is that so, Jimmy?" the gentleman asked. "Yos, sur," wearily replied the boy, and as he looked up the. pallid, pinched face could be discerned even through the grime that covered it. "He does it fur me, if you'll let him." "Certainly; go ahead," and as the bootblack plied the brush the gentleman plied him with questions. "You say all the boys help him in this way?" "Yes, sir. When they ain't got no job themselves, and Jimmy gets one, they turns in and hslps him, 'cause he ain't very strong yet, you see." "What percentage do you charge him. on » job?" "Hey?" queried the youngster. "I don't know what you mean." "I mean what part of the money do you give him, aud how much do you keep otvt of it?" "You bet I don't keep none; I ain't such a sne.ak as that." "So you give it all to him, do you?" "Yes, I do. All the boys give up what they gets on his job. I'd like to ea-tch any feller sneakin' it off the poor chap, I would." The- shine being complete the gentleman handed the urchin a half-crown, saying. 'TTou're a pretty good fellow; so you keep 6d and give the rest to Jimmy here." "Can't do it, sir; it's his customer. Here, Jim." , He threw him the coin, and was off like a shot after a customer of his own. "Work's well, don'b it?" commented Jimmy, 10 minutes later, turning a cart wheel. "That makes seven and a tanner."