The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1906-06-01
The Marriage of
Muggsy
By w. II. Auburn
lCopyrlght, by Joseph b. BowIes.l


money from friend, and get a job,
and be married.
Now, it is hard for a burglarious
lOafer to get JOB. 1t is harder sun
for him to borrow money. But after
five days of tramping the streets and
visiting mills and factories, ana
striking old friends internationally Tor
pecuniary aid, he obtained the prom
Use of work in a foundry. to begin the
following Monday, and former pal
lent him so to begin Housekeeping
with. So he was to be married on
Sunday.
1t was Saturday night, and Mary
AIMS fiance was strolling through the
streets. resuess and happy. Tomorrow
he would be married II seemed i'm
possible, and yet there could be no
doubt Of it.
Muggsy found himself staring va
Cantly into a shop window. The shop
was closed, for it was late; and the
lights in the windows were dim. There
were three gilded balls over the door.
Then Muggsy's gaze fell upon tray
Of rings in the window, and he start
ed. The awful truth flashed upon him.
When people get married they use
wedding rings! And he had forgotten
the ring.
There was an old shoe lying in the
street. In a moment he had seized the
shoe, rested it on the glass above tht
crack, inserted his left elbow in thu
shoe, closed his fist and struck 1t
powerful blow with his right hand.
He took only che ring; once N
would have taken the whole tray. II
was triumphant, but he was in danger
He ran quickly down the street to
passageway he knew of, leading to a
alley and thence to another stree
where he would be safe.
But suddenly blue uniform loome
up. and an excited voice ordered IN
fugitive to stop. A pistol shot adde
force to the command. Muggsy Wa
frightened. He darted into the pas
sgeway, the patrolman after him
full chase. A fence had been bui
there since last ne came that way, ar
he was cornered.
Muggsy was man of peace. II
game was up, ana he surrendere
When the turnkey searched him at t
! police station he still had the ring.
went into an envelope marked II
hibit A."
There was a big docket in poll
court on Monday morning. An en-
less line of ''drunks" shuftied out
the reeking bull pen" and stood, N
vously expectant. before the ben
where the magnanimous JUG
= O'Rourke dispensed fines and impr
onment for the protection OF socle
We'll. WE'LL" calculated his hon
with a broad grin Not very cheer
this morning, Muggsy. What Is
now Mooney"
.os Burglary and larceny, your ho'
U.s. AT is old tricks-smashed jewe
to window an copied ring-a wedC
aw. ring. too" The rourt officer smi
lue indulgently and the prosecuting att
hin Iey inspected the ring, while the CT
any read the affidavit, and the special
NV craned forward with interest-for
day prisoner had many acqualntan
thly present.
liv- The proof was too easy. The prose
tor yawned, and held up the ring for
wis inspection of the court.
lect "Why didn't you take the rest?"
900, asked. This amt worth much,
ries there was a whsle trayful"
ate, 81 didn't need any more" mute
was Muggsy.
was Didn't need any mOre?" repei
the prosecutor, while the court
taches and police reporters sho
signs of interest. Then you con
all to the theft?" he shrewdly added.
por- Nav, | don't confess nOt'in'."
was Needed a wedding ring, did
own Muggsy?" queried his honor wit
IN smile that lit up the courtroom.
fore THAT reminds me" remarked L
ouse O'Hara. 1--WE found marriage lie
,0O0. in his clotheS-Exhibit B over Il
when It's got his name on. too, only
She saws it's for a cousin as has
TOO, same name as he has, an was I
MRS. married yesterday. wonder
lans while he was wondering, light
fused his massive face.
lugh- Meanwhile a reporter was ms
, is ing the marriage license. He "
man tall, lean scribe, with lazy, far;
she look, and wore en eternal stogi
roth. his mouth. He leaned over to
'o"h' judge.
state, "The girls name is Mary
Miss Evans" he said. Maybe she's
She'd make a good witness"
n the Now, his honor had great re
Will for this particular reporter. Be
knew he was under obligation to hin
d it certain unnamed favors.
100 in Have you any witnesses
z and asked the prisoner.