Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-05-30
Jim ELLIOTS MISSION
BY GENE D. eRANDE.

1t was a sharp gust Of wind coming
furiOusly around the corner and filling
Jimmy Elliot's eyes with dust that
was responsible for the accident. For
being partially blinded, be darted for
ward In the path of a 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,
pers3 and scattered them along the
block.
Miss Elsie Moore, who, with her e.
cort was just about to enter the the
alter 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 q nearby drug store.
Fortunately the injury was not seri-
Gus and Jimmy, having recovered his
senses, overnowed with gratitude
when expressing his thanks to-"de
swells what picked him outen de gut
ter" Gerald Osborne laughed as he
complied with his flancee's request to
recompense the little newsvendor for
the loss Of his papers. Jimmy nat
urally looked upon his adventure as .
lucky one. The cut on his forehead
was . trivial matter, and the Ave dol
lar bill Osborne had given him was
Of much Importance.
As 1t CHANGED he was destined 70
see his benefactors on more than one
occasion. Osborne and his fancee
were regular theatergoers and 1t 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 a tip from her
escort. It was late In the fall when
he first noticed that his two favorite
customers had not paid his stand q
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 l did, Miss" responded
the boy. 81 fought youse ,mebbe got
married an went away somewheres
wit that gent"
The girl shook her head sadly. mo,
l didn't get married, Jimmy" she
said. Things have changed with me
since l 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 0sborne?" 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. I'VE 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 it, Jimmy"
responded the girl, as she turned to
board her car.
The boys eyes followed her visit
fully. 81 wonder" he murmured
thoughtfully, IF 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
a coin on the stand as he caught up a
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 was all a mistake, Jimmy" he
said. Il 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 a few
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-
moned suddenly away on a trip to the
east on business, was astounded to re-
ceiVe a curt note from his fiancee