The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-06-23
The Marriage of
Muggsy
BY w. H. Auburn


money from friend. and get a job.
and be married.
Now. It is hard for a burglarious
loafer to get job. II is harder still
for him to borrow money. But after
i've days OF tramping the streets and
visiting mills and factories. and
striking old friends internationally for
,pecuniary aid. he obtained the prom
ise Of work in a foundry, to begin the
following Monday. and a former pal"
lent him $40 TO begin housekeeping
with. So he was TO be married on
Sunday.
II was Saturday night, and Mary
AIMS hanee was strolling through the
streets, resuess and happy. Tomorrow
he would be married. Il seemed i'm
possible. and yet there could be no
doubt Of II.
Muggsy found himself staring va
canuy 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 Muggsys gaze fell upon a 'ray
Of rings In the window, and he start
ed. The awful truth flashed upon him
When people get married they use
wedding ringsl And he had forgotten
the ring.
There was an old shoe lying in the
street In moment he had seized the
shoe. rested 1t on the glass above the
crack. inserted his left elbow In the
shoe. closed his fist and struck It a
powerful blow with his right hand.
He took only one ring; once he
would have taken the whole tray. He
was triumphant, but he was In danger
He ran quickly down the street to a
passageway he knew OF. leading to an
alley and thence TO another street.
where he would be safe.
But suddenly blue uniform loomed
up. and an excited voice ordered the
fugitive TO stop. A pistol shot added
force TO the command. Muggsy was
frightened. He darted into the pass
Bgeway, the patrolman after him In
full chase. A fence had been built
there since last he came that way, and
he was cornered.
Muggsy was a man OF peace. The
game was up. and he surrendered.
When the turnkey searched him at the
police station he still had the ring. II
went into an envelope marked "Ex-
hibit A."
There was a big docket IN police
court on Monday morning. An end
less line OF "drunks" shufied out OF
the reeking bull pen" and stood. ner-
vously expectant. before the bench
where the magnanizaous Judge
o'Rougle dispensed fines aad impris-
onment for the protection Of society.
We'll. Welt" calculated his honor.
with a broad grin. Not very cheerful
this morning. Muggsy. What is II
now. MONEY!"
Burglary and larceny, your honor
at Is old tricks smashed a jewelry
window an copped a ring-a weddin'
ring. too" The court officer smiled
indulgentiy and the prosecuting attor-
ney inspected the ring. while the clerk
read the afidayit. and the spectators
craned forward with intersection the
prisoner had many acquaintances
present.
The proof was too easy. The prosecu-
tor yawned. and held up the ring for the
inspection Of the court.
why didn't you take the rest7" he
asked This amt worth much. ard
there was a whole trayful."
4 didn't need any more" muttered
Mugesy.
Didn't need any more;" repeated
tse prosecutor. While the court at
taches and police reporters showed
signs OF interest Then you confess
70 the theftg" he shrewdly added.
NAV. don't confess not'in'."
Needed a wedding ring. did you.
Muggsyg" Queried his honor. with a
smile that lit up the courtroom.
THAT reminds me-" remarked Lieut.
O'Hara. I'VE found a marriage license
in his clothes-Exhibit B over there.
It's got his name on. too. only he
says it's for a cousin as has the
same name as he has. an was TO be
married yesterday. / wonder" and
while he was wondering. a light suf-
fused his massive face.
Meanwhile a reporter was inspect
ing the marriage license. He was a
tall, lean scribe. with a lazy, far-away |
look, and wore en- eternal stogie in
his mouth. He leaned over to the
Judge.
The girls name is Mary Ann
Evans" he said. Maybe she's here 1
Shed make a good witness"
Now, his honor had great respect
for this particular reporter. Besides.
he was under obligation % him Ior
certain unnamed favors.
Have you any witnesses?" he
asked the prisoner.
"Mel Nav"
The Judge handed the license to
the court ofhcer.
"Is Mary Ann Evans here present.
roared Mooney.
Muggsy jerked himself erect his
square Jaw set. his eyes flashing, and
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