Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-01-17

grand as kings!" and Tins eyes were
lustrous with gratitude.
"Here's basket to pack them IN.
Bridget, give him little tea and sugar,
and some of the cold meat left yester-
day. I'll run up stairs and lind some
bed Clothes"
She came back laden. Tins face
glowed to its utmost capacity, which
was large, seeing that he had been out
in the cold.
"There, haven't any table, but all
these will help. You are sure your
partner, as you call him, is a trusty
fellow?"
"He' good as gold, though he hain't
no legs worth speaking Of. He used to
sell papers on the cars, but he STUN
bled one day and had one cut off, and
t'other hurt. His father used to keep
him round begging, but he's bound to
have nice times now along O. me. 1t
you could hear him sing, Miss May
it's like a bird hanging out of a win
der. When the weather comes warm
he kin sell apples and flowers, and SIGH.
I'll have little spare capital bimeby
to'start him with. And it'll be next to
|
never had any, you see. Not that I'd
want a father like Jerry's. Poor little
chap, he's had rough times, what with
beatin' and starvin'."
Miss May winked tear out of her
blue eyes. How ready these street
Arabs were to stand by one another.
Would anybody in her "set" take in a
poor brother unhesitatingly?
Tim was grateful from the very
depths of his soul, and it was no mean
one He bundled the articles in q
great pack, and shouldered them,
chairs and all, and drew his rough
sleeve across his eyes, while his good
bye had very husky sound.
If Miss May could have heard the re-
joicing!
And yet it was q miserable little
room, up three flights of stairs, with
only one window looking into a rear
house. Their bedstead had been made
of dry goods boxes, and when they COW
cred itiwith her clean chintz comforta-
BILE, and arrayed their closet shelves
with the dishes, leaving the door open
so they could feast their eyes on their
new possessions, they could not resist
giving three cheers; and Tim was &C
tually coaxed into dancing break
down, while Jerry clapped Finnegan's
Wake" with his thin hands on the one
good knee he had left. It was blus-
tering March day, but they two had q
delightfully."- warm room and feast.
What amused them most of all was
beautiful Miss Mays idea that Tim was
going to be married.
"Tim," said Jerry solemnly, when
their laugh had ended, "I don't know
how girls feel about such poor cripples
as you and me, but my opinion is that
my nanny would have been glad
enough to have had husband with
the great, tender heart, you've
got. Poor nanny! I'm glad she's
in heaven along of the angels, and Pm
glad she don't know about my legs.
God wouldn't tell her when she was SO
happy-would He, Tim?"
"No, He wouldn't" said Tim over a
great lump in his throat.
| There never were such happy days
in the life of either as those that fol-
lowed. Jerry cooked, kept accounts,
washed, ironed, and mended, and as
the days grew warmer began to do
quite thriving business in button-hole
bouquets, standing on the corner as
the men went UP town. Now and then
he sold popular photographs on COM
mission, or a lot of choice bananas.
Tim was brisk and active, and
caught up all manners of odd jobs.
Now and then he saw Miss May. Once
he sent Jerry with bouquet of flowers.
81 wanted you to see him, Miss
May" he said afterward, hanging
around until he caught sight of her.
He don't look pale and peaked, as he
did when we first set no. It's good
ivin', you see, and no beatins. And
we have just the jolliest times you ever
heard of. He don't want me to call
him anything but pardner. | do believe
that ere little chap would give his life
for me-"
90, Tim, how good you are - she
cried. "You shame richer and wiser
people. 1t is very noble to take that
poor little boy by the hand and love
and protect him.
"Noble echoed Tim, pulling his
forelock and coloring through the tan
and CRIME. Why, Miss May, he's a
q sight of help and comfort to me; bet
tern any wife would be, cause, you
see, nc woman who'd take me ever'd
be half so good"
"Tim," She said, opening her dainty
Russian leather pocketbook, 81 want
to add little mite to your happiness.
I am going to the country soon, for the
whole summer. [ want you to take
this, and spend it just as I tell you.
You and Jerry must go on some nice
excursion; there will be plenty of them
presently. Get good dinner, and
take all the delight you can, and re-
member to tell me all about it after
ward"
ooh, Miss May, you are too good for
anybody's folks Indeed, III tell you
every word. And can I come again
next winter to shovel snow and dc
: chores ?"
eyes, indeed. We shall be glad tc
have you. God bless you, and your
partner, poor, brave little soul. l shall
think of you often"
"I never see an angel Except the ones
-, +bo ,,ioto,.s with who's br1t I know