Jimmie Moore of BucktownTrotter, Melvin E. (Melvin Earnest)
General
Jimmie Moore of Bucktown
Trotter, Melvin E. (Melvin Earnest)
Christian life -- Fiction; Missionaries -- Fiction; Poor families -- Fiction
"That's nothin'; I'd 'a' done it fer any girl that's tryin'
to trot square. It's that song that's botherin' me, not the
fight. Do you think I could ever be a Christian like you folks
talk about? I have a good mother, but I'll never meet her there
like you sing about in the song, the way I'm goin' now; what
will I do?"
When Floe and Gene walked up the aisle together, several people
from Bucktown saw them. Before Gene could reach Dave's barn
the news had preceded him. When Gene and Jimmie walked into
the barn, Dave leaped to his feet and, taking Gene's free hand
in his, said, "You're right in the step you've taken to-night
and I'm glad for you. I know that your life can be a useful
one and I don't want any one to put a straw in your way. No,
don't say a word about that; it's not for me, but I feel just
as much pleased to see you get into it as if it were for me.
I know it is right, but I've lost my chance."
At the conference in Morton's home the next morning, there was
a time of great rejoicing, also a time of great anxiety. Jimmie
was very happy over Gene's conversion.
"We'll git der whole bunch yet," he said to Morton. "Der was
five of 'em at the altar from Bucktown, last night, 'sides Gene.
Fred Hanks was er comin' ter der Mission, but he got pinched
at der railroad crossin' fer bein' drunk. Fagin give 'm four
big drinks and er bottle ter start on, den steered him fer der
meetin'. He got nabbed 'fore he got dere."
Fagin had hoped to have Fred cause a disturbance at the meeting.
He, Mike and Jewey were doing everything in their power to stop
the Mission work in Bucktown. The fight on Sunday was a part
of their plan; unfortunately for them, Dave Beach was there
to see fair play and it resulted in a victory for Gene. Morton
knew that the long fight that was to follow in Bucktown would
be hard and bitter, but he also knew that God could give the
victory.
"Is Fred in jail now, Jimmie?" he asked.
"Dat's what Dave tol' me dis mornin'."
After prayer, Jimmie with Morton started for the jail.
"Dis is Mr. Morton from the Mission, Fred; he wants ter see
yer." With great difficulty Fred arose from the old plank upon
which he was lying. He took hold of the bars with both hands,
but was so weak he could not stand on his feet.
"Just sit down, my boy; I want to talk to you," said Morton,
kindly.
Fred fell back exhausted upon the plank. In the city police
stations of this country, a plank built against the wall is
used for a bed.
"You see," continued Morton, "I've been all through this thing
and know just how you feel. Jimmie tells me you have been drinking
for several weeks without a let-up. Have you had a drink this
morning?"
"No, and I'm near dead fer one," said Fred.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account