Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-11-15


81 don't like this, jack whispered
Tom, who brought up the rear.
Why" asked Jack,
~ don't like that mans looks
Meaning Ritter? You're right.
He's scoundrel they tell me. And
the others aren't just what man
would pick for company Tn dark
night. Shall we hand back our half
dollars and leave them? For 1t may
not be fair piece of work he wants
done"
mo, we won't. II it isn't fair, we
may be able to make it SO.
"Goodr said Jack.
The wind was gale, bitter and cut
ting. The singing sleet drove hard
into their faces before they reached
miserable part of the city, given over
to barrooms, scanty shops and wretch
ed tenements. Into one of these they
went, and up three flights of a rickety
stair that creaked and groaned under
their weight. On a narrow landing
they stopped.
go ahead, youl' said the constable,
showing Jack, who was the biggest,
first into the room, and then retiring
behind the rest.
N"This is a far worse room than mine,"
thought Jack. 81 beg your pardon,
ma'am," he added, aloud
On brolSen-down bed in corner
lay woman, with child two or
three years old in her arms. They
were dressed. but huddled together
for warmth under thin blanket. 4
candle stuck in a bottle gave cheer
less light.
A little boy had come forward, and
now stood backing away toward his
mother. A tiny stove without fire, a
few potatoes in a corner, q barrel with
flour enough hardly to cover the bot
tom. a pail of water, frozen over, on
the floor, a few poor garments hang
ing on the wall-such was the room
A door opened to an inner room,
through which Tom saw a couple of
rats skurry, and which was furnished
with child's crib. us your husband
home?" said the constable.
"Me man Tim, is it? No, he's down
the road on job he got at last, glory
be to God!'
Can you pay me the rent?'
IF yen jist wait till to-morry night,
sorr, me man Tim, bein' home then an
paid off, will give We all that's due,
sorr. He's gittin' good wages now
II don't care what wages he's get
ting. promised your man Tim that
unless he paid tonight he should GO
ont I'm man OF my word; so the
sooner you pack up those brats OF
yours and be off, the BETTER"
"Such night as this!" said the
woman, amazed She had been SC
proud that Tins wages were good
and that he would be ready to settle
next day--and now it all went fol-
nothing!
mot tonight, SORT! The sleet rat
tied against the window. The house
rocked and the wind whistled under
| the caves.
Eyes, tonight don't make the
weather. Come, these four men'll hell
you move all this properly"
He stepped toward her, and sh'
shrank back on her couch, hugginf
the little child, who began to cry, not
with the loud bawling of healthy
child, butwith the wall of little on,
whose lungs and chest are weak from
poor air and scanty food.
But me baby is sick" pleaded TIN
mother.
THAT don't pay the remit" said tn
constable.
"Sha'n't touch me mudder." crie'
the little boy, standing forth wit
doubled-up fists.
Ritter pouhced with snarl on tn
boy; but DR.. Thomas Bradbury, com
ing close up to him, said in yer,
gentle voice, soft but exceedingly dis
tinct: Let him alone; the boy
right"
Jack recognized that extreme mild
ness of Toms which was always
danger signal. Big Jack smiled, an
his blue eyes twinkled with anticipa
ton.
III tell you the boy is right. TIL
woman Is not to be moved-or touche
or troubled"
who are you?" snarled Ritter.
81 am DR., Bradbury" more gentl
still.
"Dr. Quack! A pretty doctor, yo,
Likely! You're my servant till you'v
earned the pay give you. That's VIII
you are Come now, Mrs. Tim! Be o
with you! Out with em, boys!'
wait moment" said the docto
you can't legally turn this woma
out at night"
Lawyer, too, are your" sneere
Ritter.
"The law is common sense" said I'll
doctor, "or ought to be- You can
turn this woman out tonight"
81 can't, can't ~" said Ritter.
J way of restoring Mrs. O'Flynn from
faint into which she had fallen, he w,
about to shake her, when there can
upon his person set of bony knuckle
applied with an intimate knowledge
the weaknesses Of the human fran
Then the doctor, having opened Il
sltion, was hustled aside by Jack
LET me have chance, Tom," sa
he.
! The rough, rushing forward to he
I Ritter, was met by mighty should
, that almost knocked the breath fro
his body Then Jack in spite of
, shower Of blows at close quarters al
, the interference of the loafer, fur
! the rough upon the stairs lie roll,
5 half way down the first flight befo
stopping,
/ The fellow, by no means deficient