Evening journal., 1907-04-22
Je.syusAs. 1897. By rAs"s. II. MeKs@
WHATEVER story there is about this is
James's story And James said his story
was his mothers story. and I've a sus-

ter to describe Il Will go back to ve minutes before
was reading the evening paper on my way across
the North River TO New York and para
graph headed "The Boy Was Thanked" It told Of a
poor boy who, after picking up wallet that banker
had dropped. chased him several blocks and finally
restored II TO him. The banker had opened IT, had
seen that his money was intact and then said IN a
tone Of great kindness, Thank you my boy. You
ar honest fellow"
Il had struck me as I read that here was one
Of those eminenty Just men. The boy had done his
duty and the banker had done his duty which was to
imagination the banker had to let such opportun-
fly for gratifying It pass him.
The incident still in my mind when I made
my way OF the ferry boat and. grip in hand. sought to
snowladen gust Of wind caught me unprepared
and whipping my hat from my head sent It rolling
and bouncing down the street in the direction Of Lib
OF course four or Eve sprang for IT, including my
se but the hat eluded us all and bowsd down , the
Yorks progressiveness. horse
Suddenly boy dashed out from the sidewalk
made headong dive and caught the hat iust In time
horses feet he turned and ran with It TO me-
other into my pocket to be unlike the banker
There was not cent Of change there.
Garry your grip, sir? Haven't had thing TO eat
voice holding the hat back and smiling an Irish
smile that disclosed very white toeth
you're starving are you2"
The boy had given up the hat and had seized my
grin and he said, TITS no lie sir Were We go'n?"
"sxth avenue elevated" said T. wondering where
could get FIVE dollar bill changed so to pay
the boy for HIS trouble
'I'll take Il for ten cents"
He stopped as he spoke much 10 say that
II the ten cents was not forthcoming Immediately he
wouldn't take the grip.
I'll give you ten cents when get the bill changed.
but don't you want any nay for getting my hat?"
"shure. Mike Ony fer me II would have been
"weii I'm very much obliged to you" And. reach.
Ing out shook hands with him.
He took my hand but he looked up into my face
and grinned as he said. Gee. I'd a chased It over
the sea wall for that"
"And glad to see Il 60 suppose Well. wen call
II dime for getting the hat and YOU carry the
"FIx # to suit Yourself" said the boy. and
thought saw look Of contempt stealing over his
sunny face.
whats your name and how hungry are your"
"limmy Mulrennan. an I'm hungry hell"
The boy amused me- and the train bound
Tor did not leave until $3.50. determined to invite
him to dine with me.
"cot anything in particular to do tonightY" said
We'll kin put It on II dere's money IN anything
else" said he with a peculiarly winning grin.
II was wondering whether we couldn't eat dinner
together want to n you're as hungry you
and haven't had dinner myself. and
Smith McNeIls Is close by"
Then TO Jolly him along, I said land there was
more truth than fiction in IT, Il used to eat there
when was poor boy"
~Gee you ever poor7" said Jimmy. and
wondered whether there wasn't a touch OF satire
in his remark. have never classed myself among
He ran on. "I used to he rich. meself"
you were rich?" said l. for moment taking the
announcement seriously.
"Oh, sure-sny, youse amt kddin' mef Are we
gon' ter git dinner for fair7"
l turned into Greenwich street evidence Of
'There's no doubt about It. AS much dinner as
would be good for you after your fast So you
"oh. yes" said Jimmy. cheerfully and menda-
ciously. Until me farder lost his fortune was
rich We lived IN tree houses on FIT avenyer. an
studied football up ter Columbia and every time
seen poor boy damned him one good. never
fought was go'n' TO be poor meself some day. But
mom ma
an he let her have t. an den KEN down here TO
look for Job carryn' grips an amt went to Col
~You're not very hungry" said l. looking down
at the bright and surprisingly clean face mo hun
CRY boy could give me fairy tale like that
With his disengaged hand Jimmy patted his sto-
mach lovingly.
Gee, der hungrier get der better stories I kin
make up. tell de udder boys fairy stories an dey
blows on-sometimes Some OF dem made up,
an some me mudder tor me- Shed her head iui
It instantly struck that here might be folk
lore vein worth delving into and felt that virtue
was going to be rewarded-as usual.
We passed into the noisy and crowded restaurant
and found seats in a corner, and Jimmy snihea tne
air like war horse.
~oh. dat smell makes me hungrier Sometimes
boss, wen amt got der price cross over der
street wen pass a eatin house. because der smell
of things cookn' always makes me hungrier
We'll, get as hungry as you want ana wen see
what do"
the bright little face before me. Yes, he did look
hungry. Probably some boys would have spoken
with beggar's whine. but he was evidently lac
OF temperament-and also Of cheerful temperament
although temperament doeT not always denote cheer
fulness
How would a thick steak and a fat baked potat
and some fried sweet potatoes and mnce pie ant
coffee dor
~Ully gee! I won't DO a ting TO DEM"
The boy clapped his hands in delight, and coul
not help feeling (somewhat smugly, no doubt) tina
that banker had thrown away golden opportunit
when he dismissed that other boy with thanks
"Say, boss" said Jimmy. when the order had bee
given, ARE you richer dan mos folks2"
Again suspecting satire in the question, salt
no l guess not Probably not as rich as YOU
father was when he lived in three houses on FIT
avenue"
Jimmy burst into Jolly laugh. "Oh, was on
hddin.' Ne farder a street cleaner, an he
dead two years ago. an me mudder was scru
loldy TIL she got sick She died OF pneumonia
Roosevelt Hospital Say, but dats another &c
man"
~Whof"