THE LOST LOCKET

New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1911, Page 981

THE LOST LOCKET

The short winter day was drawing rapidly to a close, and the wind blowing sharply down State street, caused the passers-by to draw their wraps more closely about them and hurry along anxious to reach their destination. But there was one, who paid little or no attention to the cold, being so accustomed to it, and whose whole attention was at present absorbed by Marshall Field’s brilliant show-windows all filled with beautiful things. This was a small ragged newsboy, with still a number of unsold papers under his arm, and whose faded bit of a cap was pulled down over a mass of tangled yellow curls, from under which, two beautiful eyes gleamed like sapphires, as Jimmy stood lost in boyish delight and admiration, at the wonderful sight before him. . He was rudely awakened from his dream by the harsh voice of a policeman, who sternly commanded him ‘to move on, and no loitering.’ And ‘jimmy, with the newsboy fear of cops was so quick to obey, that in his hast© he knocked against some one, and looking up, his startled glance met the sweetest face that .Jimmy had ever seen, a face which made him murmur unconsciously ‘ Sense me, ma’am!’ It was a gentle old face, framed in soft white hair, and the sad brown eves looked tenderly down into Jimmy’s blue eyes, as the old lady asked, ‘What have you for sale, little one?’ ‘Journal, News, American Sporting extre,’ replied Jimmy, his professional instinct returning. ‘ Which one do you want, ma’am P’ ‘ You may give me one of each,’ she replied, slipping a bright silver dollar into his hand. Jimmy gazed at it ruefully. ‘ I h’aint got no change ma am,’ he said. ‘I don’t care for any,’ replied the sweet voice, ‘I once had a little boy, with eyes of blue like yours, God bless you, my dear!’ And to Jimmy’s astonishment, the beautiful lady stooped and gently kissed him. Before he had time to recover from bewilderment she had stepped into the waiting carriage, and had been driven rapidly away. ‘Well!’ said Jimmy, drawing a long breath, and then as Jimmy always did, when puzzled, he whistled. He was turning to go, when something glittering on the pavement attracted his attention ; stooping down, he picked up a gold locket. Not daring to look around for fear of being noticed, Jimmy sped along, until he came within the friendly shelter of a doorstep. . ‘My, what a find!’ he exclaimed in delight, turning it over and over, and then holding it up to catch the light. Wonder if there is anything inside!’ And pressing the spring the locket sprang open, showing the pictured face of a lovely little yellow-haired boy, whose blue eyes gazed smilingly back into Jimmy’s own.’ ‘Oh, ain’t he pretty !’* said Jimmy and then he stopped short and drew his breath sharply. ‘ It’s my old lady’s ’ he said slowly. ‘The old lady that said, ‘God’bless you,’’and kissed me. No one’s a’ done that, since mother died.’ And the bright blue eyes filled with tears, as Jimmy thought of mother., his sole comfort and joy, who had left him a few, short months ago to go to the land where sorrow is unknown ! ‘I got to give it up!’ said Jimmy, slowly, and then .tus face grew troubled again where was he to find this "y old lady,—where did she live? Jimmy did not know, yet he repeated none the less firmly, It’s a job to be done!’ i . For days Jimmy haunted that doorway of Marshall > Field’s, anxiously scanning the faces of the passers-by, but without avail, and he was beginning to lose hope of ever seeing her again, when happening to glance up at a carriage driving swiftly by, Jimmy, beheld the old lady in it. ‘Hi there!’ shouted Jimmy, ‘stop!’ and he darted quickly out into the street, and there— was a shout, a warning cry from the people, and the next moment, little Jimmy was lying senseless and motionless in the street, struck down by a heavy automobile! _ Jimmy opened his eyes, to find himself in a narrow white cot, one of many such, in a long ward, and a gentle Sister of Charity bending over him. His first inquiry as

soon as he was able to realise where he was and what had happened, was for the precious locket, and when the Sister assured him that she had been keeping it, safely put away, he was not satisfied until she went and got it, and gave it into his hands, and then, as he poured the whole story into her sympathetic ears, her eyes gracefully brightened, and again demanding a description of the beautiful old lady, she exclaimed; joyfully, l lt must be Mrs. Healy! lam certain from the description!’ And assuring Jimmy that all would be'well, she bade him rest. _ The next afternoon, Jimmy had a visitor—no other than his old lady, Mrs. Healy, the rich benefactress of the hospital, who had been summoned and told the whole story by Sister Marguerita, and Jimmy thought his joy complete, when he placed the locket into Mrs. Healy’s hands. J When he was able to leave the hospital, a few week’s later, still veak, but safe on the road to - recovery, it was not to the hard life of the newsboy,' that he went forth but to the beautiful home of the *dear lady who welcomed him with open arms, feeling as if her own. little son were with her once more, for such would Jimmy be from henceforth. —The Christian Family. .