Laying For Him

ít liavmg como to Míe ears oí me United States officials at this poiut that Big English, the boot-black, had a handful of lead nickels in his poBBession, the boy was yesterday interviewcd on the subject. "Yes; I've got nineteen bad nickels in my trousers pocket," was his prompt eply. " And what are you doing with them ?" " Holding right to 'em. Yon needn't think you've got a case agnin me, for you havent." " How did you get those bad pieces?" " Bich man, who shall be nameless- black his boots cvery morning - hands me out a lo.ul nickel - thinks he's got a soft thing on me, but I'm layin' for him !" " How?" "Wliy, he's got a daughter 'bout my age. Til be thinking of marrying intwo or three years more, and I'll shoulder a bag of his nickels, walk into the purloi and geutly say, ' Mister man, I love thy fair daughter, and I demand her hand in marriagc. Behold the proofs of your vile perftdy, and come up to the rack or go to the jug !' You just keep still and let him shower out his bgus coins. I ain't handsome, but I'm a terror to plan !"