Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-01-08
UNDER A SUFFERING LAMP.
It Needs No Shining Moon When Re
Eunlnnca IL In UHcstiOM.

1t Needs No Shining Moon When Real
Romance IL in Question.
There was something the matter with
the big electric lamp Oh top of the high
pole at the corner. 1t kept sputtering and
Kissing it's discomfort with whatever ailed
it, and now and again it shut off it's rays
entirely, save for dull red glow that
made ugly shadows beyond the house
stoops and awnings.
"Faith" exclaimed Mrs. Flanagan,
"phwat bedivilment is it dunno in the
light th' night. It's been aisy enough now
for a week. Phwy don't it burn or shut
up an be done wild it?"
"a little lights better'n none, Mrs. Flan-
agan, on such a night" replied Kate,
"when the moon must DO wearin' her eyes
out lukin' for the earth, the clouds be so
heavy"
GAY, ay," asscnted the elder woman,
"that's like We; yous'd be flndin some good
in it if bot the sun an the moon should
get lost altogether an niver show US their
faces again, so ye would
Kate laughed and looked tenderly down
ut the wee face resting on her arm. They
were sitting on the steps getting what cool
their might he in the late hours OF the
evening The narrow street lined with up
turned draws and trucks and scattered over
with refuse was silent save for the low
rumbling of the machines in the bakery
opposite, where white capped Germans
were making bread for the city.
"It's hard time ye're havin' since the
mother died, Kate" said Mrs. Flanagan,
dropping the bantering tone with which
she had scored the sputtering lamp.
Hard yc may say, Mrs. Flanagan" re-
spondcd Kate, with trembling lip. "but
sure it's much harder for the children to
be without her when they need a mother
most" and she rose to put the baby in bed,
hoping that sleep had become so sound
that the hot, close air of the tenement
would not again rouse her before morning.
"Ay, n.y." muttered Mrs. Flanagan, "al-
ways workin' an thinkin' for somebody
else, an divil bit Of comfort to be takin'
for herself" and she, too rose to seek the
black room up three flights of stairs where
she slept.
When Kate came down a few minutes
later and found the steps deserted she sat
with her face in her hands, trying to ban
ish her thoughts in listening to the dull
sounds from the bakery. Presently the
trap door to the stairs leading down to the
underground workshop opened, and a
young man with II white apron and flour
stained clothes pcercd anyoUsly across the
street He crossed over and sat below
Kate on the steps.
at vas oful warn III nacht, Katie" he
said, laying his cap beside him.
Eyes, Karl" she replied; "it must he
terrible in there by the ovens"
80 it vns," assentcd Karl, but of dot
tink not | vas tiukin' of you, Katie"
"Me2" she exclaimed in mock derision;
faith, haven't yc enough to think of with
yourself, what with your dough and your
yeast and your long shovcls for reaching
after the breudY"
"Nein, Ka,ic!' responded Karl. with the
equanmity of n man whose mind is set
upon a definite policy; mo; derc's some
ting more, more us all dot 1t vas you,
Katie, all of it, You know me, Katie, a
goot many years, already Nnt you tink,?"
The lamp at the corner sputtered furi,
ously. shook its fame angrly and went
out
"Karl," began Kate tremulous!y. as she
rose to her feet.
"Yah, Katie, | lofo YOU long time al
ready. haf my pay tonight raiset.
tink you lofe me, Katie, better us dot,
know itl'
Karl had risen and they stood close to-
gether. The lamp at the corner drowned
in Il vigorous hiss whatever happened be-
tween Kate ard Karl's lips, and when in
the next instant the street was aglow with
light Il young man was plodding across the
way to look after his dough and young
woman was making her way upstair, with
lighter heart than she had ever known.
New York sun.