Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-03-01
THE CIIUMs.

together we ate together, and | am
ashamed TO say that once in while we
drank together bottle of port or sherry
Tom and | were loafers--yes, regular
built loafers. We had nothing to do and
didn't like to do that any oftener than
we could help it. Some folks don't like
loafers. Well, / never liked but one,
that was Tom Baker. i loved him. He
was my partner in everything my other
self my shadow. You know I'm not
much account for anything; well, neither
was Tom. We had been to California
together and got enough gold to live off
the interest, and that's how it happened
that we always had good duds on and
kept ourselves spruce like.
| own up that Tom played poker a
good deal in California, and as for me,
took game or two of seven-up. But
that's been long time ago, and needn't
be mentioned at all
Tom and | were just of an age to the
day-just. of one size, and somewhat
alike in the face. Don't know but Tom
was rather the best looking Of the two;
likely he was.
Many S the time we've been in danger
together, Tom and |, and it so happened
that he saved my life twice or three times.
o, well, we are all wrapped up in each
other, bound together by cords Of that
kind of affection that breaks but with
breaking hearts. Strange how two great
rough men should love one another as
Tom and | did.
We had our bachelor quarters over
Beekman bank, just opposite Mrs. Ma
lones boarding house. Our windows
were a little higher from the ground than
those of the boarding g-house, and it so
| Happened that we often sat smoking,
with our feet elevated, looking over at
the lady boarders and making remarks
about them remember that one Of
them was a slim old maid, Of whom Tom
never tired talking about, in his dry way,
often reminding me that she looked like
yard of calico wrapped around a
bundle of fishing But this doesn't
belong to my story; I'm always getting
off the subject.
One day Tom sat at one window and
| at the other. | recollect that we had
got fresh box of cigars that day, good
ones as ever ] set teeth on. Tom was
gazing dreamily through his smoke out
across the street, and ] was gazing just
as dreamily at Tom. 1t was an August
morning, hot as fire, and not breath of
air that would stir feather. We had off
our coats and vests, our shirt-sleeves
rolled up and our collars thrown open,
All was still down in the street o. it
was red hot out doors, and still heat
ing.
Suddenly Tom started little. /
thought he had burned his finger, for he
was knocking the ashes from his cigar,
but slowly look Of wonder spread over
his big, good-humored face. His eyes
dilated pleasantly, he stroked his beard
and smiled, gazing steadily across the
little sea of smoke rolling off before
him.
Look, Ned lookl " said he in half
whisper, motioning with his hand very
lightly in the direction he was looking.
| / turned and saw, over in one of Mrs.
Malone's windows, the loveliest girl that
ever did live. Yes, sir, | stick to it, she
was sweeter and more beautiful than
anybody's angel-twice as pretty as two
angels, Tom used to say, but Tom would
joke, you know.
a new boarder, ] reckon" said j
feeling a curious shiver of admiration
20 over me from toe to crown.
"S'pose so, added Tom. Isn't she
a neat one, though.
/ thought she was, and so said TO Tom.
But the girl happened to let her great
hazel eyes wander over to our windows,
and seeing us, she disappeared like a
jack-o' lantern.
| HCrackee-eel cried Tom What a
bird she is Must ha' got away from
some menagerie, Ned."
Come straight from heaven, more
like" said /.
BAIL get out your banjo, and sing
me solo None of your sentimentals
TO me-" and Tom lit fresh cigdrro.
/ sang, Kiss me Through the Garden
Fence and Tom Joined his splendid
baritone to the chorus. just as we were
/. ending the song, and the accompani-
ment was swelling, rich and loud, on the
final "D" cord, / saw the girl again
stand close to the window, as If listen
ing TO the music
"There she is sagain, the lite witchl
half whispered to Tom.
"Well she S not going to hurt any
body" he answered. " Let's sing Lat
tie Nell for her benefit.
So. we sang the song. and several
others. Finally our little beauty dis
appeared entirely and we saw her nc
, more that evening.
I'm afraid you can't fully understand
;ust how such matters stood betwixi
Tom and me. We'd ha' died for each
r other that's it, and no doubt OF IT.
I Tom would like. He was better Op a
! Joke than | vas; though, for that mat
ter I wasn't slow. / have never seen
Toms equal for friendship. He'd ha
cuf his head to do me a favor, so he
would.
Well. after hat we saw our girl at the
. window most every day. l own that
! watched for her constantly. As for Tom
he whistled aid grunted and made as Z
he didn't care whether he saw her or not
! stood It list as long as l could; and
finally / stepped over to Mrs Malone S
; one evening, and managed 10 get an in
reduction Il Miss Victorine Saunder:
! Young lady's name, sir; pretty
. name, too.
don't think it would be prudent tc
2 trv 10 attempt to describe my feelings
E when for tie first time took a seat face
!. TO face with that wee fairy Of a girl. My
heart Just galloped about loose IN my
f breast. Once it got into my throat and
E staid there some time just a rolling over
r and over. think my face must have
! changed color fifty times in minute.
: Can't remember what said nor wha'
e she said, but had pleasant sort OF 8
I time for the hour staid. Miss Saunders
. was niece Of Mrs Malone. She was
I ehat.y li..le thing with the most expres
| sive face in the world, hut roguish, bles::
e my life Why, sir, her eyes just danced