The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-03-29
JIM ELLIoT's MISSION
BY GENE D. cRANoE.

| IL Wd6 SIidI y SuSt VI "AuO NOAA4AAd
furiously around the corner and filling
Jimmy Elliot's eyes with dust that
was responsible for the accident. For
being partially blinded. he darted for.
ward in the path of street car. which
promptly knocked him over and
against the edge Of the sidewalk.
where he lay senseless, while the
breeze caught up his unsold newspa-
pers and scattered them along the
block.
Miss Elsie Moore. who. with her e.
cort was Just about to enter the tho.
ater close by, saw the accident and
ran to the boys side. She placed her
dainty handkerchief over the cash in
his forehead. while the gentleman
with her picked up the lad and car
ried him to nearby drug store.
Fortunately the injury was not seri-
GUS and Jimmy. having recovered his
senses. overflowed with gratitude
when expressing his thanks to-"de
swells what picked him outen de gut
ter" Gerald Osborne laughed as he
compiled with his fiancees request to
recOmpense the little news-vendOr for
the loss Of his papers. Jimmy nat
urally looked upon his adventure as a
lucky one. The cut on his forehead
was trivial matter. and the five dol
lar bill Osborne had given him was
of much importance.
As 1t CHANGED he was destined to
see his benefactors on more than one
occasion. Osborne and his fiancee
were regular theatergoers and It fire..
quently happened that they passed
the corner where Jimmy had his head.
quarters. At such times the boy was
always sure Of bright smile and kind
word from the girl and . tip from her
escort It was late in the fall when
he first noticed that his two favorite
customers had not paid his stand .
visit for an unusually long time.
When the winter days came on and
they were still missing Jimmy came
to the conclusion that they must have
been married and left the city.
Three months later on a wet after.
noon he suddenly spied among the
throng at the corner waiting for the
passing cars, the slender form OF his
former patrOness
$50 you missed me. jimmy" she
queried softly
"You bet | did, Miss" responded
the boy. Il fought youse mebbe got
married an went away somewheres
wit that gent"
The girl shook her head sadly. mo,
didn't get married. Jimmy" she
said. Things have changed with me
since ] saw you last. I'm just as poor
as you are now, Jimmy"
The boy stared at her In utter be-
wilderment. He noticed that her dress
was old and worn. though neat and
carefully mended in places
where's Mister Osborne?" he
asked. Don't he know nothin' about
It"
Elsie shook. her head again. Il don't
know where Mr. Osborne is at pres.
ent," she said. 1--WE have not seen
each other for long time, not since
| became working girl"
did he trun youse down when you
loses yer dough-" demanded the small
squire Of danes wrathfully
Il guess that must be Il, Jimmy"
responded the girl, as she turned %
board her car.
The boys eyes followed her visit
fully. II wonder" he murmured
thoughtfully. IL she's still stuck ON
dat guy Wisht could see him some
where's"
Two days later a familiar voice
hailed him and Gerald Osborne tossed
coin on the stand a. he caught up q
paper.
Say, yOuse amt no friend Of mine
no MORE" spoke up Jimmy sturdily.
after de way youse treated Miss
Moore"
Osborne dropped the paper and
caught his shoulder.
What do you know about Miss
Moore?" he asked excitedly DO you
know where she is?"
Jimmy recounted his interview With
the girl and Osborne listened atten-
lively.
1T VAS all mistake, Jimmy" he
said. II have been hunting for Miss
Moore for a long time. When you
see her again. follow her. find out /
where she lives. let me know and I'll !
reward you well. Don't say anything |
to her; she wouldn't understand; her !
mind has been poisoned against me |
BY lies"
True to his trust. Jimmy tracked
the girl to her humble home the next |
time she passed the corner. and few 1
hours later Elsie stood face to face
with her supposedly unfaithful lover
and listened to his explanations.
When Mr.. Moore's wealth was swal.
lowed up by an unlucky speculation.
and the family went to live in a poor
section of the city. Osborne, sum.
suddenly away on trip to the
East on business. was astounded to re.
coiyo a curt note from his f3apcoo |