Omaha daily bee., 1892-01-15
LOCAL BITS OF COLOR.

1t was a touching incident that hushed the
noisy but good-natured revelry of a crowd OF
secret society men who were holding a post
lodge jolliication at Metz new hall on South
Thirteenth street last night.
Newly elected officers of the lodge had Just
been installed at a neighboring hall and q
number OF visitors from other lodges had re-
paired with the new officers to the saloon to
toast the new officials and offer a libation to
the success Of the fraternity. The proprietor
of the place, a sturdy Teuton, joined in the
festivities, but was apparently preoccupied.
His heart and thoughts were elsewhere.
After numerous rounds of drinks the lodge
men became mellow and one OF the number
started the sentimental song, Scatter Seeds
of Kindness" the others joining. Many of
the voices were sadly out Of tun but the
hearts of the singers were warm and the
general result Of their effort was not unpleas-
ing.
wife Of the PROPRIETOR appeared at
the door and called her husband.
He left the merrymakers quietly
and his withdrawal was apparently
unnoticed. The song proceeded and the
proprietor returned to the drinking room just
as the men had finished the stanza contain
ing these lines:
II we knew the baby fingers
Pressed against the window pane
Would be cold ana stiff tomorrow,
Never trouble us again
There was a pale, haggard look on the face
OF the proprietor as he returned and stood
ready to supply the wants Of his customers.
One of the jewellers noticed 1t and said:
''What's the matter, John?"
Job, nothing" replied the proprietor, but
his voice was husky with emotion and belied
his statement.
"It we are disturbing any one with our
t,-;o ,yn xniIl r,tt ., a,fl tL4 lnl-n ,-an
"You can't disturb any one now"
said the proprietor, his ayes filing with tears,
our BABY has just died"
In the rear room Of the building used as a
living apartment, a broken hearted woman
had watched her baby pass from life while
her husband was endeavoring to keep q
pleasant face while waiting upon his merry,
noisy customers.
Somehow the men in the bar-room wern't
thirsty after they learned Of the situation in
that little back room. Great beard
ed men, thinking probably Of their own wives
and little ones. remarked in husky tones that
they really didn't care for anything more
ana it was time they were going home.
"Wot's dey got ye fur, CHIMNEY"
Jimmy was braced against the patrol box
at twenty fourth and Decatur. lurching
from one side to the other, as his tremendous
load of oh-be-joyful shifted uneasIly in his
overtaxed tomach. He was not more than
IS, but his dress was of the kind affected by
the genus tough, and his face was stamped
indeliibly with the mark of vice.
"Dunno! Cess it's de jag" replied Jimmy
to his interiocutor, another tough, younger,
but fully as tough.
'It's because you're q fool aud won't go
home, but want to roll in the snow and freeze
TO death" said the big policeman, who was
quietly watching Jimmy, while waiting for
the notice patrol wagon.
jimmy 10 the officer. Pm Just as good
people as youse, seoI" Then turning to his
friend, Jimmy SAID:
''Go'n' tell Jack come here"
The friend disappeared through the door
OF the saloon across the street, but emerged
in q moment followed by Jack aud about a
dozen young hoodlums.
''Soy Jack, youse see de judge in dc
mornin', - said Jimmy, as Jack came uD.
"Will l tell de . ole woman, Jimmyp
queried Jack.
NAV; don't We do it,
"Well she'll find Ii out anyhow
Oats all right. Wot II she does Don't
you tell her."
''Soy, Chimmy, here comes yer buggy
chimsd in another OF the crowd, as the head
light OF the patrol wagon was discovered
rapidly approaching.
ADat's all right" commented Jimmy.
"Wot'll / tell muddcr, Jimmy 7" persisted
Jack.
don't give a Ii"
Then turning to the policeman. who was
ABOUT twice his size, Jimmy proceeded to
anathemize him.
Soy, don't ye do me wrong, ye -. Eff