Wilmington daily gazette., 1872-11-21
THE WAIF OF THE DOORSTEP.
THE STORY OF POOR LITTLE JIMMY McGISNrs
From As New York Sxn.

From Ae Ntv York Sxn.
.Ofieer Bavenden is attached TO the Frank.
lin street police. His post is in the City Hall
place, from Pearl to Chambers street. One
night, about six weeks ago, while pacing his
beat he saw on the steps leading to No. % an
odd little bundle Of humanity, evidently
asleep. This was nothing strange for that re-
gion, and the officer passed on. The next
minute he heard a thin, piping voice behind
him:
"Say, cop, amt you my rncle?'
The officer turned and saw standing near
him u queer child, a boy shout fouryear old
and two and half feet high. II was the b,,n-l
die he had seen on the steps come TO life
The remnants Of his clothing were tattered
aad torn, and his dirty little arms and legs
were visible in several places. The officer
surprised, looked down upon the waif and
the waif confident, looked up at the officer.
"Say, cop, amt you my uncle?'
The Office. was amused by the queer query,
answered for Joke, "Ycs, Pm your uncle
al thought you was" said the boy.
Officer Bavenlan resumed his patrol. His
"nephew" followed him. After about an
hour the officer became more interested in
the. child, and thought it strange that lie
should follow him so quietly. Finally while
passing under gas lamp. he noticed that the
boy was very thin "Are you hungry" he
asked.
.'Ain't eat nothn for two days." was the
quiet reply.
+ The officer took him into Karl KIein's, in
Duane street. and the folks there gave him a
good meal. The boy disappeared, but the
next night met the officer when he went on
: post, saluted him as "uncle," and kept him in
I sight until he went of. This was continued
, for several nights during which the officer
learned the boys history. His name is Jimmy
. McGinnis. He lives at % City Hall Place
. His father and Mother are Drunkards, spend
{ most Of their time on BlackwelPs Island, ut
terly failing to support Jimmy, who has kind
\ ly provided place Of shelter by very s3pool
u woman who lives in the same building.
The officer took fancy to Jimmy, ant
" Jimmy became much attached to his uncle
Uncle Bavendan introduced his nephew a
Sweeny's, and they were very kind to hin
:, there as they were at klein's and so will
). what the officer gave him Jimmy was fatten
: ing up and getting bright generally Helwa
Is quick -witted, little rough spoken, a. nigh
e be expected of a boy reared in the streets an
II beaten about by drunken parent., but he wa
o, warmhearted and honest, and he never los
e. any of his queer attachments for Uncle Ray
in endan About three weeks ago the Office
re gave him suit Of new clothes and the trad
~ iional delight Of the boy over his new boo,
G couldn't hold candle to the joy with whic
le Jimmy McGinnis got inside Of the first ne
:, suit of clothes he ever had. But the ne,
ir night Jimmy was very much downcast, an
9. wearing his rags instead Of the new suit
T. "Where's your clothes, Jimmy" inquire
A. the officer.
i "Mother pawned em yesday,,' was the r.
Ia ply. His mother had returned from Blacl
~ wells Island, at once pounced upon the ne
clothes, and pawned them for money for rur
This time, however, the rum was good thir
for the boy, for his mother got drunk, al
Of was sent back to the Island. The next d;
" the officer redeemed the clothes, and the delis
cd child soon had them on again. He alwa
"a declined to accept money from the officer, al
re said he would soon be able to work for livir
na About two weeks ago the officer missed hi
So .u at night. Inquiry revealed that Jimmy "
''' sick. Mrs. Curran, the kind woman who h
:. lgiven him place to Sleep was unable to ca
r. ~ for him, ,.and 30 officer Bavendan went to j
oh tice Hogan and with his assistance Jimr
N n was taken to the Bellevue Hospital. He Il
raj been very sick, but il recovering. Evei
on body there likes him. The big-hearted WI
on, den Brennan goes in now and then TO
j Bavendan's nephew" and the physical
have given him the best possible care. Ba
endan frequently goes up to see him, and I
a.. boy awaits the coming of his "uncle' as
Ms, Invariably calls him. with the greatest soil
tude, and ia delighted by his arrival He "
in soon be well enough to be discharged, a
ng then Officer Bavexdan proposes to take
youthful protedyc under his care. His fitl
nm. and mother are on Blackwelps Island, Il
or not.likely to interfere with the officers XII
rry intention.
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