The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-03
Young James
And His Bride

~ Covent Garden market. Jimmy
turned the coin over and over In
his hand. taking care, however, to keep
the hand hidden in the pocket of his
ragged trousers.
II dunno whether ter go In for a
good blowout or harf a quire of even
in papers, he was thinking, when his
attention was drawn to a little girl, a
year or two younger. than himself
Jimmy was nne-sobbing in a quiet
but pitiable manner outside a cook
| shop.
She was rather a pretty child, though
the big black eyes. fixed so wstfully
on great roll of spotted pudding,
were swollen up with crying.
"Hallo!' said Jimmy, who's been
a-punchin your"
"Nob'dy. I'm only hungry" she
sobbed.
$50 IN l." Jimmy retorted. "Im
allus hungry. Where's yer mother?"
The question started the little girl
sobbing afresh.
She's ruined away" she said at
| length. "She told me to ask u p'leece-
man to take me to the workhus, but l
don't want to go to the workhus. I've
been there once"
Whats yer nam?''
AIS"
Jimmy turned the ten cents over sew
eral times.
| I'm goin' ter have a 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. The
meal loosened her tongue and she be-
gan to ask questions.
Jimmy told her all he knew about
himself. He had neither father nor
mother. Sal Steer brought him up,
but she beat him so that he couldn't
stand it any longer, and he hadn't
been home for more than a month. II
amt a-goin', neither" he added.
Where do you live?" asked AIS.
"Oh, anywheres," was the careless
reply. There's a doorway in Grecian
Lane I likes best when l haven't got
no 'doss' money"
Can you take me? haven't got
| nowhere to sleep"
Jimmy didn't answer Immediately.
"Yus.' he said. when he had fully
considered the matter; I'll have to
sleep there if 1 don't have no more
luck"
Jimmy conducted his weary little
companion to Grecian Lane. 1t was
poor hospitality. that bleak doorway,
but he had no better to offer, and in
one respect it could scarcely be inn
proved upon. The lane bore such a
desperate character that policemen al
ways walked in the middle of the road
at night. SO occupants of the doorways
and entries generally escaped observa-
| ton.
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 rest
ing 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 summats had 'em all. I've been
lucky, ! have; but ] 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.
I'D die if I 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
jimmy"
Easy 'nough," Jimmy answered with
all the confidence of superior knowl-
edge. There's a church by Trafalger
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 a long white
I.,l..
the marryer, he is"
Dye think he'd marry us?"
Not for nutfink. I've only got five
cents, an Wen want that for break
| fast"
'Tm used to goin' without break
| fast" said AIS. I'D rather be mar
ried''
"If we was ter sneak in when the
marryer was marryin' some'dy else, y
said Jimmy, thoughtfully, Eve might
get married for nuffink. Rats. Here's
a bobby! Lay close, AIS"
| Soon after 10 o'clock next morning
Jimmy and AIS might have been seen
| hanging about st. Martins church.
Toward II a string of carriages drew
up in front of the church.
Come on, AIS" Jimmy cried "A
marryin's jest goin' ter begin!"
And i'm the crowd, unnoticed by any
of the officials, they stole into the
church 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, II will" Jimmy was caught
mapping or perhaps he did not under
turn to answer, II will" he was ready
to prompt AIS.
Say Il will,' he whispered.
II WILL" faltered 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 superintendent of one of his homes
and a police sergeant, and followed at
"a little distance by a closed carriage
They We're engaged in rescue work
| From time to time the officer flashed
his bull's-eye on doorway or entry,
Suddenly he stopped. 1t was before
Jimmy's temporary home.
Here are two, doctor!" he eX-
claimed.
DR.. Barnett approached noiselessly
and stood looking down at the ragged
| &c, 10,