Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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SPECTATOR 15 Well hop in my car and we'll drive around' and see if We can find the row. But I don't want you to find it. I don't want to go back to Mrs. Smith, came the tearful reply. All right answered Don, but won't you even go with me for a drive? You bet, answered the little boy. Don intended driving thru the city hoping that the child would recognize his home andin this way enable him to see Mrs. Smith. Before they had ridden very far, Don learned that the little boy's name was Robert or rather as he himself very carefully announced Bob. When they had reached an especially dirty part of the city, Bob began to show signs of knowing this vicinity as he knew the names of and spoke to some of the people whom he saw. They soon saw a very long delapidated structure, which Bob informed-his com- panion was the Row. If the inside of these houses were as dirty as the outside Don didn't blame Bob in the least for leaving, Moreover, he made up his mind to meet the Smith forces on their porch, if this could be accomplished. Being told by Bob that he lived in the last house of the Row Don stopped his car in front of it and alighted, coaxing Bob to do likewise. The young man followed by the reluctant Bob walked gingerly up the steps to the porch and rapped on the piece of architecture which once upon a time had been a door. In about a minute a very disipated looking man answered his knock. Good evening, greeted Don. I Evenin', said the man eyeing Don suspiciously. Are you Mr. Smith ? Don asked. Yes Sir. Bob, what have you been up to now? he asked hastily, seeing Bob for the first time. Not anything, Don hastened to explain, but I found him on this street this afternoon and as we seem to have taken a liking for each other I thought I would ask you if QI might have him. . ' j As far as I'm concerned you may, said Mr. Smith, then

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14 SPECTATOR therefore, thought it best to wait until the candy ,was eaten to repeat his questions. A V' The young man fell in love with the little fellow when upon finishing the candy he looked up at him and smiled. The boy was by this time very sticky and his face had taken on a few more smears of dirt. This, however, did not keep Don from seeing that the child was rather pretty. He had a mass of wavy brown hair and a pair of sparkling blue eyes. Don imagined the child to be somewhere be- tween the ages of six and eight years. In stopping his car Don had intended going into the department store to buy some clothes, but he decided to put off buying the clothes until another day and if possible take the little boy home. Reassured by the child's smile, he asked him if he would like to go home. No, Siree, I want to stay with youf' was the unexpected reply. 1 But won't your mother be looking for you F asked Don. I-Iaint got no mother nor no pap neither, came the reply in tones of evident satisfaction. With whom do you live ? asked Don. Missus Smith,'l was the enlightening reply. Is Mrs. Smith kind to you?,' inquired Don. Sometimes she beats me. She beat me this afternoong that's why I leftf' explained the child. So you left, remarked Don. U I aint goin' back neither, the little fellow added. This set Don thinking. Wouldn't it be rather pleasant to keep this little boy? It was so lonesome in his big home all by himself. But then it might not be wise to keep the boy without the consent of Mrs. Smith. VVhere does Mrs. Smith live? In the Row, the boy said. But what Row? 'In the row, that's all.

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M SPECTATOR added, but you had better talk to Mrs. Smithf' Mr. Smith then summoned the object of his affections who appeared within a few minutes. ' Mrs. Smith was the sort of woman one can always picture hanging over the back fence gossiping with her neighbors, while her children cry and her pies burn. she she the the Good evening, said .Don. Evenin', nodded the woman. Mr. Smith then told his wife what Don had asked him. VVell I never 'very' much opposed to givin' him up, said. Then she enumerated the many kindnesses which had bestowed upon Bob, finally ending by reproaching child for his ungratefulness. But, began Don rather embarrassed but Bob said reason for him leaving you was because you beat him. Oh, yes, I do beat him, she said without emotion, I have a very bad boy of my own who needs beaten occasion- ally, so not to be partial I beat,Bob, too. You know Bob aint my boy, I took him in when his folks died, she ex- plained. Since you don't object, I guess I will take Bob then, said Don. You can have him, answered Mrs. Smith. During the conversation Bob had listened without stirring but at its conclusion he was so glad he danced for joy. Don fearing the Smith's might change their minds hurried Bob down the steps and into the car as quickly as possible. When they had ridden a short distance in silence, Don suddenly turned to Bob and said, We'll have some good time together, won't we, little pal P You bet ! was the quick reply of the little boy. lb -its X754 is