Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-10-01
INNY moved his horse and cab

two weeks over there" said Dinny.
You can't get any passengers if we
take your license away from you" said
the policeman.
SO Dinny stood away from the mad
ding crowd and grumbled. while the
horse tossed his nosebag into the air
and tried for the last grain of oats.
Then he grew philosophical though he
did not abate his anger, for he said, as
he whipped his body with his hands:
"Well, I'm agin the alderman, ony-
how
The cold increased as night came on.
and Dinny thought less and less of the
cab business Not that 1t was new to
him. He had driven for years, but
man may dislike even his oldest habits.
And late at night he dropped into Ben
McGraw's saloon to thaw out and
smoke one final pipe before turning in.
Ben was alone, and he offered to sell
the saloon to Dinny.
"Whatll you take?' asked the cab
man as he rubbed the tobacco between
his palms and warmed his back at the
fire
Free and clear, $500, or 5000 and you
assume everything"
I'm give you tree hundred without
circumference" said Dinny, little
proud of the last word.
"CashT
''No. Money"
'Ill not do it," said Ben. make it
four hundred and I'll trade"
They settled at $3.50, and Dinny rum
mayed around his clothes till he found
a $40 gold piece with which he bound
the bargain. Next day he sold his horse
and cab to a countryman, and went
over and stood on the depot side of the
street.
81 told you to stay on the other side
of the street" said the policeman.
I'll stay where | like" said Dinny.
"l'll have the badge off'n you" de-
clared the officer. and he caught at the
lapel. But Dinny, secure in good suit
of clothes, guiltlesS of obligation. and
smilingly strong. remained unmoved.
"Ill have the star off you. though"
heSaid as he moved triumphantly away
from the dlllgent officer But, defeated
as he was. that threat had little terror
for the policeman. He knew where he
stood with the alderman.
Sunday evening Dinny went up TO
Carnahan's house, and carried box of
candy for Mary. Somehow 1t seemed
the sweets lacked virtue, for Mary
Farnahan was less than hospitable in
her greeting. Dinny wondered If he
had rival. He got ready to leave ear
Her than usual. when Mary. from
force of habit, asked him what was his
hurry.
I'm needin' the warmt' of me over
coat" said Dinny. This place is
chilly"
ITS no chillier than IT ought TO be,
Dinny Mannigan," said the girl.
"And Why"
People that keeps a saloon!'
"Oh. and it's that, is it?"
"Nes, it's that"
We'll, II saloon-kcepcr with silk is
better than II cabman with calico"
Then he ain'l. though" said Mary,
her blue Irish eyes steady and unsmil-
Ing.
Then I'll send around the man that
bought me out. He's Il Reuben" For
Dinny felt himself discredited, and,
with mans brutality. he lashed out
blindly
DO. I'm sure he'll be welcome"
But she repented in moment. and
went close to her lover, the eyes less
steady and the face flushed and red.
"Ah, Dinny," she said, why did you
buy IL? Things were better before"
But he was not mollifed He had
tasted some of the sweets his position
yielded, and he knew there were more
further on. He turned from the door
and would not look at the face pressed
against the window-the face that
would have lighted ever so much II he
had but turned with a smile.
The alderman came down Monday
morning and told Dinny to support
Spieshoifer as central committeeman.
But | don't like him." said Dinny.
I'm whettin me Ratchet for another
guy"
you'll put your hatchet In the Ice
box and kape 1t there till tell you to
take II out-and then you'll use IL on
your best friend IL tell you to-" The
alderman was a very domineering fel.
low, and Diuny didn't know just how
far he might care to SO, That was the
only limit 1t is never a question how
far he can so, but how far he may
choose.
The alderman's son came around In
the afternoon, and Dlnny interested
himself In the study Of heredity ant
the anomalies 1t involved. The sor
Us slender, tastefully dressed. with q
diamond which hn hld NOT lnlsnr 1.