The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-01-09
NUMBER 3.
JIMMY STEERS'Wl

i'll II ~ OiGENO VII =
Jimmy Stee s was in luck. A gentle
man had given him 10 cents for holding
a horse.
81 dunno whether ter go in for good
blowout or harf a quire of evenin pa
pers," he was thinking, when his atten-
ton was drawn to little girl, year
Or two younger than himself-Jimmy
was 9-sobbing in a quiet but pitiable
manner outside a cookshop.
"Hello!'' said Jimmy. who's been
a-punchin you?''
''Nob'dy. I'm only hungry" she sob
bed
whats 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 in
| vitation. Soon she was sitting before
plate heaped up with pudding.
"Where do you liver asked Ars.
"Oh, anywheres," was the careless re-
| ply. "Theres doorway in Grecian
lane likes best when l haven't got no
| 'doss' money"
"Can you take me? / haven't got mo-
| 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. This
| was the case for rather more than q
| week.
sit can't go on much longer" Jimmy
said one night. "I've had lots of pals,
but they've all been took. Policemen
Il L
summat's had 'em all. I've been lucky,
have, but l 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 rag
J ged shoulder.
I'D die if / was took away from you,
Jimmy" she said. "Nob'dy could part
us if we was married. Mother used to
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 church by Trafalgar square
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 long white shirt reads
summat out of book. He's the marri-
er, he isl
Soon after 10 o'clock next morning
Jimmy and AIS stole into the church.
Toward IL string of carriages drew up
in front of the church.
"Come on, Asp Jimmy cried. "a
marryin's jest goin ter beginw
And in the crowd, unnoticed by any Of
the officials, they stole into the church
and toward the chancel, and, concealed
| by 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 81 will'' he was ready to prompt
| AIS.
sSay 4 will,'" he whispered.
ST WILL" answered Aps.
''Nob'dy can part us now," said AIS
| as they descended the church steps, the
| ceremony over.
Twelve hours later DR.. Barnett, the
| well known philanthropist, passed through
| Grecian lane, accompanied by the super
, | intendent of one of his homes and a
| police sergeant and followed at little
| distance by 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
! Jimmy's temporary home.
} "Here are two, doctor!' he exclaimed.
r
L
burly young backwoodsman, sunburned,
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:
Ny Dear Ja1nes-I have much pleasure in in
e forming you that Alice Graham went to Canada
: with "a other girls, in May last. Her address il
care Of Mr.. LIE Croix, 101 Montcalm street. Que
| bee. I am very glad to learn you doing Sc
u | WELL and I hope you will continue to prosper
4 | Your sincere friend ROBERT BARNETT.
: No. 101 proved to be private house OF
+ considerable size. Jimmy rang. A neai
! maid opened the door.
"Can see Alice Grahamw he asked.
. His reflections in the room into which
l. he was shown were interrupted by the
u entrance of young lady. A puzzled
u expression was on her oval, dimpled face
and in her big black eyes.
81 think there's some mistake" h
v faltered 1--WE called to see Alice Gra
7 ham,"
81 am Alice Graham"
eYou must be another" he said sadly
"The Alice Graham 1 want to see cam
e from London"
u 81 came from London"
l. "From DR.. Barnett's home?
/: "Yes'
/ "Then I'm afraid the doctor has mad
,r an awful mistake. He sent me this lei
ter, but there's something wrong some
where"
The girl glanced at the address. Mex
=. instant her arms were round Jimmy
10 neck; the red rose in her hair was rest
q, ing on his shoulder.
:" 'Yon're Jimmy Steers" she cried
Is | "Jinlmy, who married me in st. MAJ
# tins church years and years ago! An
Ia | l didn't know you," she went on, laugh
. ing and almost crying by turns. "Wha
= ever have you been thinking?"
!" And then she pushed him away q
le arm's length and looked him up an
down. "Why, Jimmy, how you've grown
s. It's not surprising that l didn't kno'
re you. You're quite big man!' An
lie then she-kissed him.
r About year afterward Mrs. lie Croi
q. lost her children's governess. Jimm
;, made another journey up from Hami
a | TON This time he did NOT return alon,