The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-12-24
IN RAGAMUFFIN COURT.
A CHRISTMAS SKETCH OF LOW LIFE
IN BOSTON.

Jim Mulligan's Posy and Its Destruction.
The Punishment Melted Out to Its Sup
posed Destroyer The Tooth OF Re-
morse-It Was the Cat.
For months the third story back window
of dingy building decidedly the worse
for wear had framed the slowly growing
green leaves of poor little geranium that
began life as plant under circumstances
quite the reverse Of favorable.
Jim Mulligan had picked it out from
the waste barrel in front of a fine house
The evening before it had shown resplen-
dent with other flowers and performed
we'll its decorative mission. Now it scarcely
held the breath OF life in it.
Maybe it will grow" observed Jim
critically and picking off the most wilted
OF the leaves. "I've never had a posy, and
Pm a-goin to try
So he carried it home, planted 1t in an
old tin can and worked and watched and
waited as people do who have only one
treasure to see it thrive. At last it began
to grow and send out green leaves over its
bare stem: then Jim was radiant indeed!
The other boys living in Ragamuffin
court made no end of fun of him and his
flower. threatening to demolish by a stone
some fine night this work of months
"You do that and I'll smash you," gave
back Jim.
His fists being rs we'll developed as Q
prize fighters, and his word always good in
that direction, the stone was not thrown,
the boys satisfying themselves by scream.
Ing, "Girl-girl-so she should have posies!'
whenever he showed his head among them
NGVQrt hplaSc with a{<
he chung to his one treasure.
At last a spike made its appearance,
crowned with cluster of brilliant scarlet
flowers. Then Mrs. Mulligans little room
seemed all ablaze with light.
Il didn't think you could do it, Jimmy"
she said. her face equaling it in hue. "It's
pretty as ever anything see in my life"
Jim swelled up and down the room, Wild
with pride, but he said nothing
You could get fifty cents for that flow
err" said Mrs. Mulligan thriftily, and
viewing her boy askance.
Il amt a-goin to sell it," said Jim
shortly and not stopping in his walk
Maybe dollar" limited Mrs. Mulligan
THAT would be splendid. Ny! l most
know 'twould fetch that. Christmas makes
flowers so dear"
II wouldn't sell it for $780," said Jim
magnificently, and approaching his moth.
er to enforce his decision by resOund.
ing clap of one brown hand upon another,
80 there amt no use talkin."
''You act like a goose" declared Mrs
Mulligan, out of all patience, "talkin as il
you was worth a million an struttin up
an down as if your boots was whole, for all
the world. Get out, do!''
So Jim got out, but flattened his nose
against the outside of the pane, where he
stared at his possession to his hearts con.
tent
1t was the day before Christmas Hav,
ing no presents to purchase and nothing
on his mind Jim conld go down Broadway
and the side streets in u beatific state,
which he did bright and early and all day
long and into the evening. Hands in hi,
pockets he strolled on, whistling to keer
warm, reveling in the brilliancy of the
shops and the happiness of the streams OF
purchasers. He spent millions in these
hours, taking in imagination the place OF
the pretty girl getting out of her carriage.
armed with papa's new bank notes for the
Christmas shopping, or the well condi.
toned merchant doing his purchasing by
himself, or the mother on whose indul.
gent heart hung flock of expectant little
ones. And he did the work well too.
There was no indecision on his part. Jim
knew perfectly well, from thorough study
ing of each window and his own inner
boy, precisely what he would order were
he in front of the counter. And he strolled
and whistled and fingered and stared. and
had the best time of any one in all that
Christmas furry.
He didn't forget his three meals, being
home to dinner, but he took the precautioD
to thrust his supper in his jacket pocket.
That's supposin shouldn't want to 90
home for it." he said to himself cts 60.
In to be lively bet tonight, an I've got to
spend lots to keep up to 'em." He laughed
and paused the last thing to nod and smile
at his flower, shining at him q bright flame
of color as far as he could see down the
court. He Rugged himself in glee at il
and then ran out into the street to catch
the early afternoon purchasers.
It was som re about o'clock of this
Christmas e, n Jim turned into the
court. not wishing Il scolding from head
quarters for being out late. He hurried
up the crooked stairs and flung the dool
wide open, his mind full of the brillian,
scenes in whose midst he had been.
There has been mischief here since you
was away" was Mrs. Mulligan's greeting,
ouu pOAuCAAk w VIC "Iu'lO" "ucTc Cue
geranium stood. Il come in an see it tina,
way, an the glass is broke" Jim's eyes
dilated with sudden horror. He darted
forward and caught up the spike, broken
nearly short of, and trailing its gay cluster
in detection on the old window sill. His
sturdy little right hand clinched itself sc
that he could scarcely help the blossom up
endeavoring to make it stand straight
When he saw that it was really broken, sc
that its pretty life was over, his passion
knew no bounds.
cts Ted Williams" he shrieked, turn
ing back to his mother with blazing eyes
II know; he said he'd bust it some day
with stone Now I'll bust him.!
"Jim, JIM" called Mrs Mulligan sharp
ly, but as we'll try to stop the north wind
Jim was over the stairs by this time, ant
Mrs. Mulligan, easily rejecting that ONT
fight more could make no difference in bel
boys life. was getting cup Of tea to re
fresh her tired bones after long walk car
rying home clean clothes.
Jim sped, wild for vengeance, to Tee
Williams door. On rapping and inquir
ing for him his mother announced that hi
had gone out to see the sights of the sea
son, and she didn't know when he would
be home and she didn't care. With tina,
she slammed the door smartly and left
Jim free to run on down the court.
See the sights. guess he'll see stars
too, before ! get through with him." he
muttered. Hes got to come up this way
now I'll just get behind here an wait FOL
| him.
Here" vas All ash barrel in dark an
gle, behind which Jim crept aud patiently
brooded. At last the destroyer Of his peace
| came whistling up the street, turned inte
! the court and drew perilously near. Jim
held his breath and made his fists ready
None too soon did he spoil all, but in just
! the right fraction OF Il minute, in which all
| things were ripe for action, he sprang
| from his cover and pounced on the whis
| Ting figure.
I'm teach YOU" he screamed, pummel
| ing with all his might, ito smash my posy
| Now-now-now, have you got enough
Ted had quite enough, it seemed, for he
| didn't stir nor speak having had no great
advantages for defense with pocketec
| hands.
Get up" said Jim, spurning him with
his foot; you needn't pretend to fool m'