El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-01-22
JIMMY STEERS WIFE


81 dunno whether ter go in for a good
blowout or harf Quire of evenin pa
pers,' he was thinking, when his atten-
ton was drawn to little girl, ye;il
or two younger than himself-Jimmy
was 9-sobbing in a quiet but pltiable
manner outside coOkshop.
Hello said Jimmy. who's been
a-punchin you?"
.sNobdy. I'm only hungry" she sob
bed.
What's yer nam'?'
"APs.''
Jimmy turned the 10 cents over several
times.
"I'm goin ter have a blowout" he
suddenly said. Come along, AIS
The hungry mite needed no second III
vitation. Soon she was sitting before
plate heaped up with pudding.
''Where do you ive|' asked AIS.
ooh, anywheres," was the careless re-
ply .'There's a doorway in Grccian
lane 1 likes best when 1 haven't got no
'doss' money.
"Can you take me? l haven't got no
where to sleep"
Next day Jimmy's fortune was no
worse than usual, but he had two mouths
to feed now, and the doorway in Grecian
lane was again their resting place. IhlS
| WAS the case for rather more than Il
week.
at can't go on much longer" Jimmy
said one night. 1--WE 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, l.
have. but l know I'll be had some day:
then Wen be parted, AIS"
The child nestled closer to him and
rested her touzled little head on his rag
ged shoulder.
I'D die if / was took away from you.
Jimmy" she said. 'Nob'dy could par
Ms if we was married. Mother used 1"
tell father so when he said he'd run
away. How does you get married, jim
my?"
Easy 'nough," Jimmy answered, with
all the confidence of superior knowledge.
''There's a church by Trafalgar square
where folks get married most every
day I've sneaked in once or twice.
They stands in front of some railr's.
and a man in long white shirt reads
summat out of a book. He's the marri-
er, he is.
Soon after 10 o'clock next morning
Jimmy and AIS stole into the church
Toward II a string of carriages drew up
in front of the church.
"Come on, Arsr' Jimmy cried. ~
marryin's jest goin ter begin!
And in the crowd, unnoticed by any of
and toward the chancel, and, concealed
by a pillar, waited hand in hand for the
ceremony to begin
Neither could understand the clergy
mans opening words; but he had no
more reverent listeners than those two
pathetic little figures. When he asked
the question beginning. 'Wilt thou have
this woman and the bridegroom an
swered 81 will'' Jimmy was caught nap
ping or perhaps he did not understand
but when it came the brides turn to an
answer Il wilI' he was ready to prompt
AIS.
"Say 4 wiil,''' he whispered.
81 WILL" answered AIS.
"Nob'dy can part us now" said AIS
| as they descended the church steps, the
ceremony over.
Twelve hours later DR.. Barnett, the
we'll known philanthropist, passed through
| Grecian lane, accompanied by the super
| intendent of one of his homes and IA
| police sergeant and followed at a little
distance by a closed carriage. They were
| engaged in rescue work. From time to
| time the officer flashed his bullseye on
| a doorway or entry.
| Suddenly he stopped. 1t was before
| Jimmys temporary home.
"Here are two, DOCTOR" he exclaimed.
More than IA years had passed. y
burly young backwoodSman, Sunburncd-
hard as nails, to judge by his appearance,
was walking down Montcalm street, Que
| bee, studying the numbers and trades
mems names as he went. Presently he
| pulled out letter and read it. 1t was
dated from London:
| Nv Dear james, have much pleasure in in
| forming you that Alice Graham went to Canada
| with "a other girls, in May last Her address l.
| care of Mr.. lie Croix, 1O1 Montcalm street. Que
| bee / am very glad to learn you are doing SC
well. and l hope you will continue to prosper.
| Your sincere friend, ROBERT BARNETT .
No. 1O1 proved to be private house of
considerable size. Jimmy rang. a neat
maid opened the door.
..Can 1 see Alice Graham?'' he asked.
/ His reflections in the room into which
| he was shown were interrupted by the
| entrance of a young lady. a puzzled
| expression was on her oval, dimpled face
and in her big black eyes.
81 think there's some mistake he
| faltered. I've called to see Alice Ora
| ham,
Il am Alice Graham.
| "You must be another" he said sadly.
'"The Alice Graham 1 want to see came
from London"
! 81 came from London"
"From DR.. Barnett's home?"
"Yes."
''Then I'm afraid the doctor has made
| an awful mistake. lie sent me TINS let
ter, but there's something wrong some
| WHERE
The girl glanced at the address. Next
instant her arms were round Jimmy :
neck the red rose in her hair was rest
ing on his shoulder.
''You're Jimmy Steers" she cried
Jimmy, who married me in st. Mar
tins church years and years ago. And
I didn't know you," She went on, laugh
ing and almost CRYING by turns. ''What-
ever have you been thinkingT
And tben she DuShed him away "a