Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-06-18
TOMMY "DE KID
The Story OF n Bowery Drum.
mer Boy.

As counted By years, Il aocmH a long timo
ngo. but reasoning by tho Nlyldnosa OF the
events In my mind It Ia ae clear and diatnci
ne n It happened yesterday
Ny regiment had come home to recruit In
tho sprlng Of 1868, and having accomplished
our purpose, we wero oneampod In tho city
Hail PARK. on tho site oi tho present post
ONCE, waiting orders 10 70 10 tho front.
A Young man Of twenty-one, | Joined tho
army Mt the beginning Of tho war as II prs
,atc. and / fot littlo proud OF tho inet
That within two years had won captains
commission.
1 was a poor boy myself without the nd-
yantAgos which rich mons sous are supposed
10 have, and from fret TO last have always
had on interest IN boys similarly situated.
IL was this deposition that mado mo iako an
interest in 'Tommy do Kid" and this IA how
wa became acquainted, and how our ae-
auaintaneo came 10 sudden and tragic
end.
Tho night following tho arrival OF my
regiment in New York, started on alone
10 sco tho Ijowory, which was then quito a.
famous as II ia now.
II was a rainy, disagreeablo night. and mo
many policemen along tho n'Ieet were
dressed IN glittering ollakin coatA that gave
thom tho appearance Of cast-iron men
freshly black loaded. Tho "munlclana' and
bcnr divca wore doing rushing business
with soldiers on Through. or soldiers max
in, Tor tho front, and women and oiildfen
swarmod on tho street. all unmindful Of tho
storm.
1 was ioohing into an illuminated pawn
brokara window at Tho hundred and ono
things displayed there, oil Of which told o.
tho poverty on the ono hand md tho aVnrics
on tho other, when noticed that a bcy, o.
anywhere from fourtoon to nixteen, was aimi-
larry obscryant.
1 soon became mora Interested In the boy
than had boon IN the contenta Of do WIN
dow. Ite was Of medium height, fair haired.
bluo-eyod. and decidedly ragged and dirty.
The face was Iiuohed, AZ with hunger, ana II
had IN Il such an expression Of suffering
and despair 10 10 excite my SYMPATHY al
once. by why OF starting conversation.
hsaid
"Raihor q stormy night, my friend"
Before answering. he looked up NJ the black
sky, down at his bare fect, then fun into my
oyoa.
''yos. TIA kinder Wot," hs'said, but doH'
mind a."
ausod 70 itfs suggested.
ayes, I've got 10 b.. ! don't mind the rain
90 much. but while II lasts you Kin 800 y
npplls BIZ BIO said.
"whst IL your businoesf'
,,BlAckin' mostly; sonoiimos takc
whaek Of the Papers, bot I'm stuck poo's
.iton. You see, boss. the luck silera 'psliii
TO 30 daad agin me" aud bo turned Up hi'
flgssy coat collar, and MAIDS ~ Il 70 leave.
"Hold o." said. aud ! laid my hand or
his arm, "aln't you hungryY
Hungry" DO repeated, ''eoll, you kinpus
bot yer sweet no I'm hungry. Ain't kn1Fof
what Il vas to ieA plum nlied up an cofaicri
able slnce lAey gave us boysa blowout iaA
christinns AZ tho Nission. An there VA
fsed for yoar' and tho boy ninaeked his llIs
Al Tho memory q the banquet Aed his slo
glowed with delight.
awhat IL your nafnei- asked
aDsy GALE ne Tommy de Kid, z hencplled
.But What Is your proper manner"
aTo,nmy de Eid. alu't ; teiiin' youA-"
,sBut your .Ast name"
sLa.at naznss"