Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-02-16
Jim Gateley, the Millionaire.
nt l.

You say he doesn't look like one Well,
perhaps not though am not quite sure on
what grounds You base your idea that he
does not look like millionaire, To be sure,
I'll admit that his being policeman makes
it a little hard 10 comprehend But let us
walk down Walnut street. aud we shall meet
him face to face, aud then, perhaps, you can
Judge better Is he mean and stingy, you
ask Perhaps ! had better-Deary me
there is little Fritz SchlSpps, the tailor's
youngest aud most dirty child, slipping
down on the icy sidewalk. What a wall he
sets up-ah we needn't be alarmed it is
the loss of a cherished molasses stick which
has brought these roars from the tiny urchin.
Let us walk a little faster, for we may be
able to put the boy in the way of forgetting
his lost treasure in the sure possession Of
something that will delight aud comfort him.
though the lost candy may not be restored.
But there jim Gateley has stepped in before
us The transfer Of penny from big Jim's
pocket to little Frtz's moist, dirty hand
eiiectualy works cure for the boys woes.
rather think this little sight answers your
question better than any words Of mine can.
You see, don't believe a man can ba very
mean, and have warm, open heart and
hand for the children.
Strange idea for him TO be a policeman
Yes, perhaps il is but then rich people are
allowed to indulge their whims TO an nn-
limited extent, I believe. Probably one Of
Jim's fancies is To be policeman. It may
be because he likes his looks in his blue
coat and brass buttons, or possibly because
Of the power it gives him over others-a
power that exercises itself in little kind
nesses ike the one we have just witnessed.
Yet il is not necessary to be policeman, in
order to exercise that virtue. II people will
only try it, / think they will find that kind
ness is an excellent companion for any call
ing. | will tell you Jim's story, however,
and you may Judge for yourself
When first knew him. he was driver
for Nlr LIS, large stablei an honest,
quiet, sober, young fellow. faithful to his
master and all his interests. lie was earn
ing moderate wages, and by care and pru-
dence had laid 10y little sum- which en-
abled him to think that in few months
time he might be able 10 buy the tiny cot
tage Just at the end of Blossom Terrace, and
bring home to it his bride, pretty Mary Al
len. With an object like that in view a
man naturally works his best, and before
many months from the time when first saw
Jim Gateley, he told me one night as ! went
to the stable to order a carriage to take my
wife to President Clark's reception, that he
was going TO be married next day. | gave
him my best wishes and the next day ",
sent to the cottage on Blossom Terrac,
some more substantial tokens Of our aPpre
citation Of Jim's faithfulness and worth.
You see, after my wife's long sickness las
spring, Dr. Brown ordered her TO take
drive every day, so jim used TO come will
an easy phaeton and take Annie every da.
for a drive. In that way we had becom
very much interested in him, both OF us
In about four months from the time Jim wa
married, we took our California trip. an,
were away, as perhaps you remember, yeai
The day after my return, | was walking
through Spring street, and really, it was o.
Just this spot where we are starding now
that met Jim Gateley. lstared at him in SUI
prise, for my old friend the coachman, had b
some strange metamorphosis, been change
into policeman, gorgeous in blue and bras
His honest face lighted up quite Brilliant
at sight Of me- After cordial greeting, au
answering .Iim's eager question as to how m
wife was, said, How goes the world wit
YOU, jim Is Mrs. Gateley as attractive q
Miss Mary Allen used to be ?" All" Jill
, said, with a happy laugh, "she is all
thought she was, and more, too and what
more, sir I've had fortune come to m
since last saw you, sir" thought Ji
referred to his fortunate possession of Il
official capacity he now filed, and said,
am glad you have done so well. su
pose Mr.. L. helped you in getting Il
place" "Ah," said Jim, "you mistaI
my meaning, sir. | did not mean that /
% ing policeman had made my fortune.
That's nothing, my wealth is more secu
than that. I've little chap at home tha
worth million" "Why, that's grand
said !, and as Jim seemed inclined to ia
little about his "fortune,' as he called
| soon had history of the boys life, /
4. playful ways, the interest with which I
y buttons on his fathers coat inspired hi
I'd and his general knowingness. In capi
4 | "a, as ,vel as ability he far surpassed "A