The Van Buren press., 1898-12-24
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T He door to the passage leading to
the janitor's apartments was sud
denly opened and low hum that had
been audible for some time burst into
a loud elamor as Connolly. his vile and
a stout. elderly little woman IN a hat
that suggested an old=fashioned bearse,
by reason of its thick, nodding black
plumes. came into view.
The stout little woman seemed to be
responsible for most Of the noise,
which was rich IN brogus and musical
in tone. She only stopped talking TO
laugh and her laugh was Of that hearty
kind that eonstrains persons Of a full
habit Of BODY especially to SLAP their
knees and hold their sides. The jan
itor was maintaining his customary
seriousness Of expression and his wife
was smiling pleasantly a the depart
ing visitor. who suddenly broke of
sentence and kissed her with re
sounding smack
aDonst ye stir step furder Mary,
darlin'.n she said "Connolly will see me
ND TO daylight. an-wen. I'll give 1t 10
Yez as we go out; sure ye wudent want
to hurt Mary's feelin's. Be aisy now!
Sure il wudent be th' first time I've
kissed him. Mary. Good-by. alanna,
Mkt Wensday. reminder.
.'Yis. shes got a new sittin' room car
pet" she resumed, as she came along
the passage. IAN a picture ay Clancy
in his sergint's uniform-th mortal av
him-over the manly shelf, anvil
We believe me, Connolly pa pianny
they bought Oh the installmint plan.
He that couldn't tell til 0ramus from
Carey 0wenl But Julie niver had tn
since av a Kilpeera hin; ans it's shtoile
she wants anyway. But you'll see
her. Wensday.
''Tim's TO be there, too. His hid has
gone down since he lost his fine city
Job: twas swelled so his hair wudent
cover il a mont ago. 'Tis an uncertain
business, politics. tell Phil that same,
bur he'll niyer heed me. ! tried to coax
him wild me, but he siz: Tell Connolly
I'll not waste car fare on hints tn
way he has--the creature. You know
his way. I'll give him an Mary pink
tay,' ! siz, an he saizs: You'll not get
Connolly over wild tay for an injuee-
mint "
Her voice died away as the spring
door closed behind her and her escort.
The tenant who had been filing a key,
put the key IN his pocket, and yielding
to a feeling Of curiosity, crawled on
the bench to look out Of the basement
window. He had just jumped down
and busted of the knees Of his trousers
when the door banged again, and the
janitor descended the steps, tanning
himself with his cap. as was his wont
when agitated.
"Unbotton my vest an give me a
drink of water" he said, family ar he
sank into q chair. ''Feel of my right
arm. an tell me If it's loose"
whats the matter? Didn't you get
a chance to tall5?' asked the tenant.
..Iallll" echoed the janitor. 81 don't
kffSN whether I'm speakin' now OF
whether its someone else. I've forgot
tn sound av my own voice. What
makes ii seem so quiet here? Glory be
but that womans a conversationalistl
I've heard enough in the last hour tc
keep me thinllin for a month o Sun
DAYS.
There's wan thing I'm free from
anyway I've my fauts-wan or twG
enough TO keep me human but IN
a man ay few words. 7 like to listen tC
an entertainin' conversation an now an
then edge in q word 10 show that In
payin' attention an keepin the threaC
ay tn discourse, but I've not tn gift az
the CAB.
''I'm sorry for il at times, an 7 know
my friends regret II, but thinkin' /,
where I shine. ] like 10 get of some
where in In shade in summer. or II
comp'ny with q hot stove In winter. au
think. 'Twould astonish you the thing,
] think av. take after "A second cousin
av mine-th wan 7 was telliu' yot
about has a farm up in Wisconsin Tha'
man has thoughts would burn Tn world
upside down il they was known. Hell
get out In the barn-up IN the havmow
where it's soft lyin'. ar there's nUthin
to disturb him-an' study ont IN prob.
Inns av existence. A mar that has s2J
acres av hand an draws O pension 81
$50 q month has a right TO think. bu.
his wife don't seem TO see 81 that way
Shes wan as these loOse-tongued. chat
term women forever discoursin' about
tn emptiness as her wood box an th
pail av swill that's been siandin' af
mornin' outside the kitchen door wait
in' 10 be carried out to IN pigs ar
triflin matters iike that
81 tell Mrs Connolly that speech wai
given her 10 conceal her thoughts an
to 90 her In justice she's entitled 10
sbe niver makes my ear-drums ring th
way some women do When xe settle
6OVu for th evenin' Ehe opens III oven