The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-01-04

He tried to speak to him, but for long
the words stuck in his throat, and when
he did get them out they were strange
ly husky, and not at all harsh or I'M
kind.
"Poor little fellow!"
The unexpected words went straight
to 6 Little Jinks's" heart. If the man
had kicked him, he would have been
stone; but the kinds words drew from
him convulsive sob, and must have
set his brain reeling, for the next thing
he was conscious of was the policeman
putting fiery stuff into his mouth out
of flask, and telling him to keep up
good heart, for he wouldn't let any
body touch him.
They were friends in moment
It ended, however, by the kind po-
liceman carrying "Little Jinks" to his
mother; and the poor woman, when
she heard the account, received him
with open arms, and there he remained
with her until the day of her death, and
the day, indeed, on which he stole the
purse to keep her from starving.
When he brought the stolen purse in,
he found his mother dying. But the
following conversation took place be-
tween them:
"Who gave it to you?" she managed
to ask, and then fearful, guilty re-
morse began to gnaw at "Little
Jinks's"heart.
woman down there" he got out.
"But could you not get up and walk
about, mother? You would look bet
ter then, and perhaps you could eat"
"No, Willie dear. I'm afraid"
"Little Jinks'' seemed to see the
words that were coming, and a great
wall burst from him as he placed his
hand on her mouth.
"Oh, mother, don't say that, or I'll
die!" he wildly cried. "I'll run for a
doctor-oh, how fast I'll go!-and
you'll be well tomorrow, won't your"
But she only strained him closer to
her breast.
SPRAY after me, Willie," she family
whispered; and then, choking with
grief, and burning with sense Of guilt,
hea repeated after her little prayer,
that God would look after a poor little
boy who would soon have no mother,
and raise him up a great many kind
friends to look after him, and be the
same as a mother to him, and make
him grow up to be great and good
man.
After speaking the prayer, "Little
Jinks" had but one thought-how he
could let his mother die without con-
Tossing his crime. Every moment it
was at the tip of his tongue, but then
he thought the awful news would strike
her dead in his arms. He let her sleep
on, while he watched her, and listened
to her breathing.
Toward morning she stirred slightly,
and opened her eyes.
"Kiss me, Willie," she said.
1t was only whisper, but he heard
every word.
"Now, put your arms round me-
tighter, tighter"
These were her last words. Her
breathing got fainter and slower; end
then, as her eyelids dropped, Willie's
screams brought in some of the neigh
bors.
They took him gently from the room,
and were kind and good to him, poor
though they were; but when they told
him that his mother was away some
where, and would not be back for a
while, he had such wild burst of grief,
that they were afraid of his slender life.
But he was calm at last, and then he
insisted on going out-no, he wouldn' t
tell where, but he would go.
He slipped out when they were in the
next room, and found his way to Scot
land Yard; and this ended his story.
l didn't take him away ard lock him
in cell. No, took him home to my
wife, and then paid visit to the bank
er. After giving him the purse and its
contents entire and unbroken, told
him ''Little Jinks's - story pretty much
as have now put it before the reader.
AS l have already indicated, he was of
that derided class called soft-hearted /;
and long before / had finished. he was
blowing his nose, wiping his eyes, and,
finally, crying and sobbing like child.
But when l stopped him by asking if
he wished to press the case, he started
right back in his chair, and looked per-
fectly fierce.
"Mr. Reynolds!" he cried, edo you
take me for monster? No." he added,
after minute, 81 will not press it
nor will | let you press it. Do you
hear me? ] am determined. 1 will
see Willie-you'll let me see him, won't
you? [ think shall like Willie, and
perhaps Willie might like me. This is
a big house, too; he wouldn't fill up
much space in it; and, besides, he'd be
somebody to talk to. Yes, I'll see VIII.
lie. But, Mr.. Reynolds-here-stop
if you say another word about spress.
ing the case as you call it, III kill you
on the spot!"