The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-06-24
A COURT ROMANCE.

There are no apple blossoms in
this story. The hero is not hand
some nor tall. The heroine is not
beautiful nor are her features
finely chiseled. The reader, hav-
ing fair warning, proceeds at his
own risk.
1t was Monday morning in police
court. The door of the bullpen
opened, and, in response to the
name John Cleveland, red haired
man of As limped out. On his face
was stubble of beard. His head
was partly bald. He carried his
greasy cap in his hand.
He was charged with having re-
moved vegetable matter from the
city in his wagon, the same being
concealed under a covering of
manure. This crime, while not
heinous, was in violation Of an
ordinance recently passed giving
the monopoly of garbage hauling to
certain great and rich contractor.
Mr.. Cleveland defended himself
with some vigor. He had an hon.
orable record Of 20 years in the
garbage business, and, since the
ordinance, had abandoned the veg
etable end of his profession and
confined his studies exclusively to
manure, ashes, tin cans, bottles
and the like. His tone carried
conviction and he was discharged.
The next name was Lizzie Bow
ers. 1t is customary to hear a
light foot on the stair at this point.
The portieres also have a way of
parting TO admit the vision of a
beautiful girl. Not so here. Liz
zie entered in charge Of the mat
ron. She was portly, 40 or so years
old. and wore a much soiled black
dress. The hands which she rested
on the judges desk were large and
work worn. She lost no time in
singing the epic of her innocence.
She pronounced 1t an outrage that
IAN honest, hard working woman
can't step into a drug store for a
bit of medicine for a cold that she's
had goin' on two weeks-two
weeks this coming Thursday
without being taken by police
man and brought into a dirty po-
lice station.
Now, the fact that Lizzie was n
hard working woman was we'll
known. But this was not the first
visit she had made to the court,
fact which the Judge pointed out
kindly but firmly. Then he re-
marked:
II think the matron can use you
for few days in her department.
He was about to write the fatal
words In the big book. and Lizzie
was between tears and pleading,
when big. strong, masculine
voice interrupted.
"Yer honor" II said.
The court looked up to see John
Cleveland standing before the bar.
A policeman moved to eject him,
but the Judge ordered him to be
let alone.
"Yer honor" continued John
Cleveland, Il know the lady and
I'll guarantee that she'll be all
right II you'll cit her go. I've
knowed her long time. She's a
good. honest woman
The court was in good humor
The court liked to be known as a
good court. humane court.
Mrs. Bowers is discharged"
There were tears in the woman s
eyes as she turned Then she
moved impulsively to where John
Cleveland still stood. and grasped
his hands.
0, We, who think that love is not
for the old and poor. could you but
have seen the lok that passed he
tween them! Then they left the
court room.
81 don't want you to think
that I'm that kind of woman"
said Mrs. Bowers when they were
out ON the street.
"You know l don't Lizzie" he
said, and | defy any gallant young
man to put conviction more into
his words to the most lovely young
woman.
Il must hurry to my work now"
said Mrs. Bowers.
John Cleveland took her hand
again.
Lizzie, I've got a nice little
place, with a garden and chickens
and things. But l amt much at
cooking, Guess you'd be scared
Just to lock at my kitchen. I need