Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1877 — “ Bijah.” [ARTICLE]

“ Bijah.”

It was rather mean in the boys, but they like Bijah and feel that he will forgive and forget. He had just commenced sweeping out when a boy came running around the corner and excitedly inquired: “Where’s Bijah—where’s the old man?” “I am here,” was the deep-toned reply. “Have you discovered a pugnosed boy on somebody’s doorstep ?” “ Here’s a telegram for you—charges 30 cents,” said the boy, as he handed it out. The old man turned a shade paler and bis chin began to quiver as he held the telegram between his teeth and hunted for change. When he had raked up four nickels and ten coppers he sat down to open the envelope, musing: “I know it is bad news. I dreamed of walking in a green meadow with an angel last night, and I thought her breath smelled of lager and she’d lost off her bustle. I guess my sister is dead. ” The dispatch read: Boston, Aug. 10, 1877. Bijah Joy—Mayor of this city leaves for Detroit this morning to have a look at your feet. Please flatten them out as big as you can. Tom Collins. Ho read it over three times without stopping, and, when he finally realized its full significance, he slid up to the corner to look for the boy. The boy was half a block away, waiting for an explosion. They stood and looked at each other for a long minute. They were like two statues. Neither smiled a smile. One could have heard an omnibus drop. Bijah at length forced a ghastly grin and called out:

“ Aren’t you the dear, good boy whom I promised six figs, ten yum-yums, and a pound of candy ?” “ Yepp,” was the ready reply. “ Then come and get them, darlingcome and feast and be happy. Oh ! how I do love boys !” “I’ll see you later. Please call at my office,” retorted the lad. Bijah made a rush, struck an awning with his head, knocked down some clothing and fell against a rack, and as he limped back to his den the clothier came out and said: “ If I was an elephant I’d eat hay and have a regular stall in some barn.”—Detroit Free Press.