The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-11-30
TALE OF A WEDDING RING.
How Justice Thomas F. Grady Made
Poor Woman Happy.

How JustIee Thomas f. Grady Made n
Poor Woman Happy.
Eev HorE Aduertsr,
In the porch Of the Tombs there
stood for two hours yesterday, a sad,
worn woman, with a baby in her arms.
The baby was chubby and healthy.
1t yelled Justify to get down on the
cold stone pavement Hurrying law
yers elbowed the woman out Of the
way, frowsy men and women jostled
against her. At brief intervals she
peered into the crowded courtroom.
Just before the court adjourned she
mustered up courage enough TO step in
side. When all the cases had been
disposed OF, q court officer shouted:
"AIl those having business with the
court will please step forward. All the
rest leave tho courtroom"
The woman with the baby hesitated
FOR u minute. Then she stepped for
ward to the bar. The stern judicial
look on the face OF Justice Grady sot-
tened as he looked ut the moistened eye
and trembling lips OF the suppliant be-
fore him.
"What can I do for you?" he said, in
a kindly tone, while the baby tried to
climb over the bar to play with the
courts watch-chain. =,
81 want-I want-my wedding ring"
said the woman. on the verge OF col
lapse. flush, baby, hush!"
"Where is it," asked the justice.
1.-THE pawnbroker has it." said the
woman, her sorrow overfowinG and a
rain OF tears flowing down her cheeks
and inundating the child in her arms.
"What pawnbroker?" asked the JUS
tice.
~ don't know his name, but his shop
is on Third avenue, near Thirty-third
street. My husband died of consump-
ton last week. His name was John
Rogers. We buried him in Mt. Calvary
cemetery. l pawned the clock and
Johns overcoat. and-and-all the fur
niture but the bed-to-to-(sob)-to
buy condensed milk for Bobby here, sir,
and Friday | pawned the wedding ring.
1t wasn't worth much, sir, because the
gold was washed away at the wash
board, your Honor. l never took it off
my finger, sir, from the time John put
it on ten years ago. oh, l should know
it anywhere because the dents OF
Bobby's teeth were on it, judge. and l
got only 81 for it, and I've lost tho
ticket,
Here Mrs. Rogers stopped. Grief inn
peded her ~utterance. The justice took
out a handkerchief and blew his nose
SO loudly hat the sleepers in the safety
depositvaults underground were startled
into unwonted activity.
$50 you lost your ticket, did you?"
said His Honor.
Eyes, sir, and | am afraid to go alter
the ring without it"
The Justice took an ~envelops from a
pigeon hole, showed something into it
and handed tho envelope to the weep
ing woman. "TakeIthat," said he. go
to the nearest notary public and swear
that your name is Mary Rogers, and that
you left your wedding ring with the
%pawnbroker on Friday. Take the paper
to the pawnbroker, and if he does not
give you the ring let me KNOW"
"But, judge, / haven'tR got any.
"Tut, tut, Mary; do as | say. That's
all. The court is dismissed"
Mary and the baby went out beside
the great stone pillars again. She
opened the envelope and a IS note lut-
tered upon the pavement. 1t was rain
ing when Mary stepped into the street,
but the sunlight in her heart had dried
her tears, and Bobby's face was
wreathed In smiles.