The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-04-04
IMMORTELLES


1t is highly improbable that you
know where Dearborn Alley is stu
ated in the happy village of London.
That is easily comprehended when
one considers that you are a person
of refinement and a lover of pleasant
places, and that, consequently, you
would scarcely possess knowledge
of the very poor, mean, hungry Sec
ton of the city in which Dearborn
Alley stretches it's crooked and
noisome way.
At one end of the alley, strange as
it may seem, there is an excellent fire.
proof garage, which shelters the motor
cars of the idle rich, and the garage
explains why Dearborn Alley now
pokes it's head into type.
Without the garage the alley would
never hope to appear even in the
obituary columns of the newspapers.
It is very humble thoroughfare,
lined by the homes Of workmen who
earn three shillings day and down.
Through Dearborn Alley two, four
and sometimes six times day came
Jerrold, the chauffeur, whose final
name was Knight, sitting in peace
and knowledge behind the wheel of a
six-sixty Mercedes.
Jerrold was as competent driver
as his car was splendid, and in the
garage the oily experts agreed that
the Mercedes was a thing of beauty
and worth a small fortune.
1t was long, purple limousine,
with eight-inch cushions, behind plate
glass and mahogany, and it could
climb Shooters Hill OIL the high speed
if Mrs. Oliver Sherwood wished it to
do so.
Mrs. Sherwood was the owner. She
was worth either nine or ninety thou
sand year; but it is of no i'm
portance, and one of the reasons for
her wealth was her extreme economy.
She underpaid Jerrold, just as she
underpaid all her employees, and she
cautioned her menials against waste
in any form. All his careless wander
ing from Dearborn Alley has bearing
on the subject, as you shall see.
On certain afternoon Jerrold, the
chauffeur, came purring through the
alley.
He had taken Mrs. Sherwood
shopping, and he was anxious to reach
the garage, turn the machine in and
go home.
The alley was not constructed for
speed. 1t was made before automo-
biles, and some of it's turns are sharp
and irritating. Usually it is in con-
dition of impossibility grave enough to
warrant attention from the police.
Jerrold swung around corner, think
ing principally of beef stew with
plenty of beef in it, and at the same
moment a small figure in blue overalls
rose from the shadow of a doorway
and flung itself in front of the
Mercedes.
Jerrold said a short prayer, closed
his eyes, and snapped the wheel over.
When he looked again the overall
person was standing in the alley, wav-
ing a rag doll at him, and grinning
delightedly.
Missed her by a observation-disclosures
part of an inch," the chauffeur NUT
tered.
He climbed down and went back.
The rag doll and it's owner stored at
him with interest.
you hurt?" Jerrold inquired.
mo, I ain't," the lady replied.
"You get off home" the driver said
sternly. "You stay on the pavement
or I'll have a policeman lock you up.
You want to get killed, you little
imp?"
The child grinned widely.
One of her front teeth was missing,
and her grin was emphasized by its
absence.
She placed part of her rag doll in
her mouth and backed up against the
doorway. Jerrold shook his gloved
fist at her.
whats your name?" he demanded
"Josie," she said, without removing
the doll.
Josie what?"
Josie Mcneil / had the mumps
last week"
"And you'll be locked up this week
and stay there for two years and q
policeman will beat you every day
with a stick if I catch you in the
street again. And, besides that, II
cut your ears of myself before the
policeman comes"
Josie considered this outline OF un
pleasant possibilities without outward
distress.
"AIl right" she said. You gott;
catch mel"