Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-10-06
ANNAPOLIS Md TUESDAY EVENING OCTOBER 8 1891
JIMs yAGRANT.

The FURNISHED mountings and metal sur.
faces of No. 90" glistened and sparkled
as the suns rays crept lazily down in.
to the engine house and fell in golden
shower upon the beautiful monster. But
in spite OF this the keen and practiced
eye of Big Jim detected blur on one of
the brass levers, and, fetching his chamois
skin. he set to work with a will TO re.
move this disgraceful blemish; for not a
speck would he allow upon his beloved
engine.
No. 20' was conceded to be the finest
machine OF It's kind In the city; and Big
Jim, as he was universally known, was
acknowledged 10 be the tallest man and
the best driver in the whole fire depart.
ment Many times he had been compli.
mented by the district engineers; and on
one occasion he and his engine rendered
such signal service that the mayor of the
town sent him personal note Of thanks.
That note Jim carried constantly with
him, and would not have parted with it
for any consideration.
Strange to say, there was no envy Of
Jim or his engine. All who knew him
loved and respected him; and Big Jim
was the pride, and %No. 90" the pet Of
the entire department.
For the last hour Jim had noticed a
little negro standing on the opposite side
Of the street and gazing into the engine
house with evident interest. While the
fireman piled his chamois, the lad grew
bolder, and, crossing the street, stood
timidly in the doorway. The day was
far from sultry; and as Jim gazed at the
boys bare feet and thin, ragged clothing,
feeling of profound pity stole into his
heart.
"You should not be out without your
shoes, my lad" he said kindly, in his
deep, gruff voice.
@Haint got no shoes, boss.
Jim gazed askance at the black urchin.
IWhere are your parents?"
%Dunno. Neber had none.
SBut surely you have some relatives or
friends"
Dunno what yer means by relatives,
boss; but hain't got no friends. Any.
how, he added pathetically, as though
the fact had been impressed upon him
until he had become thoroughly con-
vinced of It's truth, as no count, no.
how, / is, so it dom make no Offence.
Jim's uplifted hand paused in mid air
rs he heard this remarkable statement.
whats your manner" he inquired.
@Black Pete, answered the boy sim
ply.
"But what's your last name2"
"Haint got no NOAH names, boss"
"How old are your"
"Dunnoi"
Jim gazed in blank astonshment at his
new acquaintance, the like OF whom he
had never before met.
"Say, boss, said Pete, and his voice
dropped to whisper, and his eyes glis.
tened as he gazed in undisguised admira-
ton at the engine, is you the drivah oh
dis yere ingiro2"
Jim nodded.
Pete gazed with such evident awe and
reverence upon No. 90" that Jim's big
heart was completely won.
"Well, Pete.' he said, few minutes
later. u guess I'll have TO leave you. It's
time was attending to my supper. BY
the way he added, aif you have M.
friends, where do you get your meals?'
@Oh, l gets 'em best way kin, boss
and when can't git muffin, / does with.
out, was the philosophic reply.
What are you going TO do tonight p
@Can't have muffin tonight. @Haini
got no money, and don know where
to CO."
@Look here, said Jim, and the gruff
voice grew a little softer, "you wait here
q minute, T" and he disappeared.
Soon he returned with a package
which he handed to Pete.
@There," he said, "Pve divided my
supper with you, Pete. Now tell me
where you're going to stay tonight
Dunno, boss. Had a good place up
an alley, but de copper dun fin me last
night, and chase me off.
4Pn tell you what, said Jim thought
fully, ats against the rules, but you
come around here after dark and ri
smuggle you into my bunk. II you keep
right quiet no one will know, and to-
morrow I'll see what can do for you.
Pete's eyes sparkled as he raised his
black face to Jim.
@I'll do as yer tole me, boss. Say
and the boys voice grew intensely low
and confidential, does yer think they'd
have cullud drivah on an ingine?7
The look Of anxiety on Petes face ss
he waited for the answer was painful to
see.
@Fm afraid not, Pete, " replied Jim.
Pete's lack face assumed look fun.
utterable woe. He turned sadly away.
and made off with Jim's gift hugged
closely to his breast.
Pete had been safely snuggled ia, and
all in the engine house were wrapped in
profound slumber, when suddenly the
whir Of the alarm sounded loud and
shrill throughout the building, and in an
instant the hremen were tumbiing into
boots and coats.
With the first sound Jim was on his
feet. A moment later he was equipped
and barnessing the horses.
Big Jim was a born fireman. There
was nothing 80 delightful to his ear as
the clang Of the alarm. The moment he
heard It his spirits rose, the blood
coursed more rapidly through bis veins,
and all else was forgotten.
So it happened that. strapped to his
seat on the engine, the big driver dash i
down the street without a single thouglai
OF the email piece of black humanity hs
had bundled ND 20 carefully few hollrs