The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1899-11-25
short Story OF The DAY.
AIS.
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Jimmy Steer was in luck. A gentle
man had given him 10 cents for hold
ing horse outside Covent Garden mar
ket. Jimmy turned the coin over ant
over in his hand, taking care, how
ever to keep the hand hidden in tn
pocket of his ragged trousers.
Il dunno whether ter go in for {
good blowout or harf a quire of even
in pappers,'' he was thinking, when hi!
attention was drawn to little girl {
year or two younger than himself-Jim
my was 9-sobbing in quiet but pitt.
able manner outside the cookshop.
"Hallop' said Jimmy, who's beer
apunchin' you?"
"Nobdy. I'm only hungry" she sob,
bed
What's yer nam'?"
"Als."
Jimmy turned the 10 cents over sew
I eral times.
I'm goin' ter have blowout" he
suddenly said. Come along, AIS
The hungry mite needed no second
invitation Soon she was sitting before
a plate heaped up with pudding.
Where do you live?" asked AIS"
"Oh, anywheres," was the careless
reply. There's a doorway in Grecian
lane 1 likes best when [ haven't got
no 'doss' money"
Can you take me? L haven't got
nowhere to sleep"
Next day Jimmy's fortune was no
worse than usual, but he had two
mouths to feed now, and the doorway
in GYecian lane was again their resting
place This was the case for rather
more than week
1T can't go on much longer" Jimmy
said one night. I've had lots of pals,
but they've all been took. Policemen,
or school board, or children's home, or
summat's had 'em all. I've been lucky,
have, but 1 know I'll be had some
day then we'll be parted, AIS
The child nestled closer to him, and
rested her, touzled little head on his
ragged shoulder.
'Fd die if / was took away from
used to tell father so when he said he'd
run away How does you get married,
jimmy"
Easy 'nough," Jimmy answered,
with all the confidence of superior
KIN owfedge. There's a church by
Trafalgar spquare where folks get
married most. every day. I've sneaked
in once or twice. They stands in front
of some railin's, and a man in a long
white shirt reads summat out of
book. He's the, marryer, he is
Soon after 10 o'clock next morning
Jimmy and Al, unnoticed by any of the
70
ward the chancel, and. concealed by a
pillar. waited hand in hand for the
ceremony to begin.
Neither could understand the clergy
mans words, but he had no more
reyerent listeners than those two
pathetic little figures. When he asked
the question beginning, wilt thou
have this woman" and the bridge
groom answered, Il WILL" Jimmy was
caught mapping, or perhaps he did not
but when it came the
brides turn to answer II WILL" he was
ready to prompt AIS.
Say / will, he whispered.
i WILL" faltered AIS.
Nobody can part us now," said AIS,
is they descended the church steps, the
ceremony over.
Twelve hours later DR.. Barnett, the
will known philanthropist, passed
through Grecian lane, accompanied by
he superintendent of one of his homes
md a police sergeant, and followed a
title distance by a closed carriage.
They were engaged in rescue work
from time to time the officer flashed |
lis bulls-eye on a doorway or entry.
Suddenly he stopped. 1t was before |
-immy's temporary home.
Here are two" doctor" he ex-
laimed.
More than fourteen years had passed. /
\ burly young backwoodsman, sun I
'tirnt, hard as nails, to judge by his .
was walking down Mon I
real street, Quebec, studying the num-
'ers and tradesmen's names as he went.
PRESENTLY he pulled out letter and |
cad it.. 1t was dated from London:
My Dear james, have much pleas
ire in informing you that Alice Graham |
vent to Canada, with twenty-four
ther girls, in May last. Her address
5 care of Mr.. lie CroiX, 101 Montcaln |
tFeet, Quebec. | am very glad to
earn you are doing so well, and I hope
gu will continue to prosper. Your
riend ROBERT BARNETT"
No. l01 proved to be a private house
considerable size Jimmy rang A
eat maid opened the door.
Can / see Alice Graham?" he asked.
His reflections in the room into which
e was shown We're interrupted by the
ntrance of a young lady A puzzled
xpression was on her oval, dimpled
ice and in her big black eyes.
II think there's some mistake" he
Uttered. I've called to see Alice
raham.''
Il am Alice Graham"
You must be another" he said
ldly The Alice Graham I want to
se came from London
L came from London"
From Dr. Barnetfs home?"
Yes
Then I'm afraid the doctor has
ade an awful mistake. He sent me
lis letter, but there's something
rong somewhere"
The girl glanced at the address. Next
stant her arms were around Jimmys
ack. the red rose in her hair was
sting on his shoulder.
You're Jimmy Steerl" she cried.
Jimmy, who married me in St Mar
rs church years and years ago! And
didn't know you," she went on, laugh
g and almost crying by turns. What
er nave you been thinking"
And then she pushed him away at
ms length and looked him UP and +,
'Wis. Why. Jimmy, how you've :
o"nl It's not surprising that I didn't
low you. You're quite a big manp'
I'd then she-kissed him
ABOUT a year afterward Mrs. LIE
ok lost her children's governess.
nfny made another iournav ,I,, f,.c,,,Tl