The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-06-01
The Marriage of
Muggsy
BY w. II. Auburn


NSoFSIAhhA' pS Joseph u. bo"4esJ
So 1t happened that Muggsy and
Mary Ann the waitress became en-
gagged. Musgsy was to borrow some
money from "A friend, and get a job,
and be married,
Now, 1t is hard for a hurslarious
loafer to get a job. 1t is harder sttll
for him to borrow money. But after
five days OF tramHing the streets and
visiting mills and factories, and
| striking old friends internationally for
~pecuniary aid, he obtained the prom
Use of work in a foundry, to begin the
following Monday, and a former pal
lent him $40 10 begin housekeeping
with. So he was to be married on
Sunday.
1t was Saturday night, and Mary
AIMS fance was strolliue through the
streets. resuess and happy. Tomorrow
he would be married. 1t seemed I'm
possible. and yet there could be no
doubt of 1t,
Muggsy found himself staring va
rantly 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 a 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 cid shoe lying In the
street. In a moment he had seized the
shoe, rested it 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 loot.d
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 he 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 at the
police station he still had the ring. 1t
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" shuified out Of
the reeking bull pen" and stood, ner-
yously expectant, before the bench
where the magnanimous Judge
O'Rourke dispensed fines and impris-
onment for the protection of society.
well, Welt" calculated his honor,
with a broad grin Not very cheerful
this morning, MuGgsy. What Is It
now. Mooney"
Burglary and larceny, your honor
at is old triCks-smashed a jewclry
window an COPIED a ring-a weddin'
ring, too" The court officer smiled
indulgently and the prosecuting attor-
hey inspected the ring, while the clerk
read the affidavit, and the spectators
craned forward with interest-for 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 rest?" he
asked. This amt worth much, and
there was a whole trayful."
Il didn't need any more" muttered
Muggsy.
Didn't need any more?" repeated
the prosecutor, while the court at
taches and police reporters showed
signs of interest. Then you confess
to the theft" he shrewdly added.
Nav, | don't confess notin'."
Needed a wedding ring, did you,
Muggsy?" 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.
Shed make a good witness"
Now, his honor had great respect
for this particular reporter. Besides,
he was under obligation to him for
certain unnamed fayors.
Have you any Witnesses" he
asked the prisoner.
Me? Nav"
The Judge handed the license to
the court officer.
is Mary Ann Evans here present."
roared Mooney.
Muggsy jerked himself erect, his
square jaw set, his eyes flashing, and
his fists clenched.
stop that, Mr.. Oficer!" he cried.
Mooney started back, and the court