Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1906-06-20
The Marriage of
Muggsy
Copyright. By Joseph ID. BowIssl
BY w. n. Auburn

money from a friend. and get a jot
and be married.
Now. II Is hard for a burglariou
loafer TO get a job. II is harder still
for him to borrow money. But afte
i've days OF tramping the streets an
visiting mills and factories. AM
striking old friends Internationally 10
pecuniary aid. he obtained the prom
Use Of work In a foundry. to begin thu
following Monday. and a former pal
lent him $40 10 begin Housekeeping
with. SO he was TO be married OF
Sunday.
II was Saturday night. and Mari
AIMS hance was strolling through tbs
streets. resuess and happy. Tomorrow
he would be married. IL seemed i'm
possible. and yet there could be nc
doubt OF II.
Muggsy found himself staring va
cantly into a shop window The shop
was closed. for II was late: and the
lights In the windows were dim. There
were three gilded balls over the door.
Then Muggsys gaze fell upon a tray
Of rings in the window. and he start
cd. 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 II on the glass above the
crack. inserted his left elbow in the
shoe. closed his fist and struck II 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 10 an
alley and thence TO another street.
where he would be safe
But suddenly blue uniform doomed
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
sgeway. the patrolman after him in
full chase. A fence had been built
there since last ne came that way, and
he was cornered
Muggsy was a man OF peace The
game was up. ana he surrendered |
When the turnkey searched him al 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 DRINKS" shufied out OF 4
the reeking bull pen" and stood. ner-
vously expectant. before the bench .
where the magnanimous Judge
OROurke dispensed fines and impris-
onment for the protection OF society.
Well. weil!" CALCULATED his honor.
with a broad grin Not very cheerful
this morning. Musgsy. What is Il
now MONEY!"
Burglary and larceny. your honor
at Is old tricks-smashed a jewelry
window an COPIED a ring-a weddln'
ring. too" The court officer smiled
indulgently and the prosecuting attor- .
hey inspected the ring. while the clerk
read the AFFIDAVIT. and the spectators ,
rraned forward with interest-for the ,
prisoner had many acquaintanees ,
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 rest?" he /,
isked. This amt worth much. and
here was a whsle trayful." (,
Il didn't need any more" muttered !
iuggsy
Didn't need any more?" repeated
he prosecutor, While the court At
aches and police reporters showed Z,
igns OF interest. Then you confess !.
u the theft?" he shrewdly added. ..
Nav. I don't confess not'ln'" y
Needed a wedding ring. did you. y
iuggsy?" queried his honor. with
mile that III up the courtroom 9,
That reminds me" remarked Lieut.. >,
fHara. We found a marriage license :,
4 his olothes-Exhibit b over there
Is got his name on. too. only he -
avs it's for a cousin as has the
lme name as he has. an was 10 be
larried yesterday / wonder" and =,
lille he was wondering. a light suf- %
ised his massive face.
Meanwhile a reporter was inspect N
* the marriage license lie was a
N, lean scribe. with a lazy. far-away n,
ok. and wore On eternal stogie in
Is mouth. lie leaned over to the n,
dge.
The girls name is Mary Ann 4,
vans" he said. Maybe she's here. q,
led make a good witness" >,
Now, his honor had great respect ~
r this particullr reporter Besides. IN
was under obligation 10 him for M
rtain unnamed favors. ~
Have you any Witnesses" he "a
ked the prisoner.
Me, Nav" ,
The judge handed the license 10 10
2 court officer h,
rs Mary Ann Evans here present."
lred Mooney. WI
Muggsy ierkei himself erect. his ma
lare jaw set. MS eyes flashing. and an
; FISTS clenchei. all
Stop that. Mr. Onicer," he cried.
Mooney started back. and the court ed