ECHOSTraveling at dusk the noisy city street,I listened to the newsboys’ strident criesOf “Extra,” as with flying feet,They strove to gain this man or that-their prize.But one there was with neither shout nor stride,And, having bought from him, I stood nearby,Pondering the cruel crutches at his side,Blaming the crowd’s neglect, and wondering why—When suddenly I heard a gruff voice greetThe cripple with “On time to-night?”Then, as he handed out the sheet,The Youngster’s answer-“You’re all right.My other reg’lars are a little late.They’ll find I’m short one paper when they come;You see, a strange guy bought one in the wait,I tho’t ’twould cheer him up-he looked so glum!”So, sheepishly I laughed, and went my wayFor I had found a city’s heart that day.RUTH LAMBERT JONES
Traveling at dusk the noisy city street,I listened to the newsboys’ strident criesOf “Extra,” as with flying feet,They strove to gain this man or that-their prize.But one there was with neither shout nor stride,And, having bought from him, I stood nearby,Pondering the cruel crutches at his side,Blaming the crowd’s neglect, and wondering why—When suddenly I heard a gruff voice greetThe cripple with “On time to-night?”Then, as he handed out the sheet,The Youngster’s answer-“You’re all right.My other reg’lars are a little late.They’ll find I’m short one paper when they come;You see, a strange guy bought one in the wait,I tho’t ’twould cheer him up-he looked so glum!”So, sheepishly I laughed, and went my wayFor I had found a city’s heart that day.
RUTH LAMBERT JONES