Middletown transcript., 1901-02-16
Jim's Wife !. !.
By MRS. B. r. Ma YHEW.
HAD OFTEN NOTICED HER

rather small, 6nrunKen inquire
/ she was, dressed in skimpy, faded gar
ments, dilapidated straw hat, and pre-
senting altogether washed-out, Storm
beaten appearance.
/ frequently encountered her in my
goings to and fro in the better part, if
there be any better part of
the slums OF New York, and she was
generally hanging around the outside of
the liquor dens. My constant compan-
ion and protector, large, intelligent
Newfoundland, enabled me to 60 and
come with perfect safety in the accom-
plishment of my self-appointed task OF
searching up the poor creatures in need
OF assistance in this low, dirty part of
the city.
There was something 50 infinitely pa
thetic in tharesigned, patient face OF this
'tpuir wee bodie," that | was much at
tracted, and had more than once been on
the point Of accosting her, but noticed
that she shrank from observation. ]
generally saw her lingering about the
doors of the low, vile saloons, often
times going from one to another till she
heard what she was evidently seeking, q
drunken song o. laugh in voice which
she knew; then she would shrink and
cover close beside the door, quietly wait
ing and watching.
On one occasion, it was at night, and
the electric light as came up glittered
brightly on saloon entrance, and,
crouched near it, the ''puir wee bodie"
had SO often encountered. | paused,
halfway making up my mind to speak
to her, when I saw her start forward as a
man, pretty far gone in drink, reeled and
stumbled out on the sidewalk. She step
ped hastily to his side, and taking hold
of his arm said, quietly.
"Come Wine, Jim; don't 60 any
further tonight"
''D-n you! get out of my way; you're
forever hangin' round, spyin' after mep'
he blurted out, and roughly shook her
hand from his arm.
Again, in the same quiet, pleading
tones, she said:
"Come home wine, Jim. Do, please,
I've warm supper waitin' for you.
Come now" and she again laid her hand,
coaxingly, on his arm.
With a terrible oath he jerked away
and struck out at her with his heavy fist
| had paused few feet back Of them,
and stood with my hand in Jacks col
lar; at this juncture, my brute compan-
ion, with the instructive chivalry Of his
almost human nature, bristled up and
gave vent to growl Of disapproval
felt his body quiyer under my hand, and |
tightened my hold on his collar. The
man in his drunkenness striking out
wildly, she avoided the blow, and after a |
bit more coaxiug and pleading she got
him off, filling the air with his oaths, |
and barely able to keep upright even
with her help.
They were presently met by police
man, who, to my surprise, paid no heed
to the disturbance more than to scowl |
ferociously at the man as lie passed them.
| knew many Of these guardians of the
peace" by sight, this one by name. Hur-
ing forward, with my hand still in Jacks
collar, I said to Officer Gordon as | met |
him.
"Who are those people? What are
the circumstances? Pm sure you know"
Eyes, ma'am," he replied, and his
tone indicated that his ire had been
aroused by the above scene. Il do know
something, but I don't suppose anyone
but that patient little woman knows all.
Shes no doubt thankin' me in her heart |
this minute for lettin, that brute |
have one more chance to kill her, in
stead of lockin' him up, as | ought to.
Their lame is Finch; they came from the
country year or so ago, and the fellow
was steady enough then, and ready and
willin' to work when he could get any
thing to do; and you'd hardly believe it,
ma am, but that poor, faded little woman
was bright and cheerful, and had a real
pretty face and plump little figure. But
he couldn't get any steady work, and af-
ter awhile he took to drinkin', and now
every penny that he makes, when he can
get job, goes for whiskey, and she sup
ports them both, and then looks after
him at night, tryin' to keep him straight,
as you see her just now, ma'am. There's
hardly policeman that will arrest him
because of her; she begs so hard with her
eyes-doesn't speak word, only Just !
looks at one SO pitiful and wishful, that
we just have to PASS on as quick as
we can and not notice him. Children?
No, ma am; they had one little one when
they came here, but it died,-fell down
stairs, think, one day when the mother
was out, and was killed. That is all that
/ know about them, ma'am, and it's no
good of him."
Thanking the officer for his informa-
tion ] continued on my way, Eliminating,
as went, on the absurd incongrl ity of
the appellation of t'the weaker vessel
as applied to woman.
Several days passed, and not once did
I encounter the little woman who Lad
had aroused my pity and admiration be
cause of her sorrow and fathfulness, SO |
concluded that the brute Of husband
had killed or disabled her. Him | saw
frequently, so knew they had not left
the neighborhood. Is
One day had occasion to visit young {
woman in Bellevue Hospital in whom
was much interested, and as | walked |
beside the nurse between the long rows '
Of cots, conversing with her in low {
tones concerning my protegee, I paused q
at the foot of cot, and, 10 my surprise, j
discovered in its occupant the little
woman whom / had missed from the /
street for several days. She was sleep a
ng and knew from tke- .
'apid, irregular breathing, that she had il
axyar Tnnbsan az tho uYrcea runstion- | !.