The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-17
"Babyl Babyl" called voice from

the darkness.
The tones we're scornful, but ia
miliar. He stopped crying, and went
toward the steps.
"Don't ye be comm up here"
shouted the voice. "Nobody's want
ing ye!'
Jimmy seated himself upon the
lower step, and bided his time. Very
small and lonesome he looked in the
dim light.
Bridget's heart softened, though
she was careful not to betray it.
"What are ye dom in it at all
Jimmy Curley7" she asked, her face
dimly visible as she bent forward.
There's yer bed waitin' for ye beyant,
an ye not in it. Shure, it's the stick
yell get the night, an serve ye right.
The mother lookin' an lookin'
her eyes out, an niver a bit of ye
round"
But here Jimmy began to sob, with
such an abandment of grief that both
Bridget and Honora came out
from their hiding-place. Bridget took
him in her lap and tried to soothe him.
"Come, come, now Be a man!
Well all go home to the house be-
yant, an we'll tell the mother ye
didn't mean no harm"
She rose as she spoke, but Jimmy
chung to her neck.
'Put him down, mother" cried
jealous Honora. Let him walk!
The big baby" But not even her
taunts served to loosen the clasp of
the little arms around Bridget's neck.
She sat down again.
Now just you listen, Jimmy Cur
ley. We can't be spindin' the night
here, an l can t carry big boy like
you in me arms through the streets.
You're too hot an heavy. Now just
you tell NE what tits that's botherin'
ye, or we'll go off an lave you to
come on after us as ye cam
Jimmy realized the situation, He
raised his little, tear stained face, and
sobbed out
1.-THE Swe ,neys has moved"
"It's tin days an more since the
Sweeneys went from U.S." replied
Bridget, surprised. "Ye've been
savin' yer tears long time for
that"
"My mothers sick"
"How long since9 l seen her out
the day."
"The doors locked. l can't get in
it." And down went the poor little
head again, and the sobs redoubled.
Then Bridget remembered certain
flying rumors concerning Mrs. Cur
ley's proclivities. She was silent.
Not 80 Honora.
BABY Baby! Why couldn't ye
just bang away at the door till she
opened it,"
Hush, Nora" said Bridget, softly.
A struggle was going ON in the mind
of this poor, working woman.
She thought of her hot, sitting room.
On this night she had dreamed of
the luxury of a bed to herself. 1t
really seemed ct first as if she could
not give it up. Then she looked at
Jimmy Curley.
"He has no more good of his mo-
ther the night than if she was dead
and buried" she thought. "Ill have
to lave him come"
mora, DEAR" she said apologet-
ically "ye'll have to sleep wild me,
just the same as always; an we'll
make up the bed or the floor for
Jimmy Curley."
81 don't want Jimmy Curley in it"
whimpered Honora.
"Just for the night, darlin'."
81 don't want him in it! What's
his mother got that she cant let him
into his own part?"
She's got what your mother'll
never get, please God" answered
Bridget, almost solemnly. Then she
added earnestly: Don't be askin'
what she's got, but just be good
girl. Be nice to Jimmy Curley the
night, for he's needin' it"
Honora made no reply. Bridget
accepted her silence as consent; and,
pushing the little boy very gently
from her lap, she rose, and they left
the churchyard together, the two
children clinging to her skirts.
AS they approached Crescent Court,
Honora's short-lived generosity
waned.
"Oh, it's 80 hot, motherl I wish he
wasn't comm in it."
81 wish he needn't" was Bridget's
amendment.
Crescent Court seemed more sitting
than ever. coming as thew did from