Evening journal., 1898-12-24
''THEGIFTOFGHB"
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IT 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 wife and
a stout, elderly little woman in hat
that suggested an old-fashioned hearse,
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 brogue and musical
In tone. She only stopped talking to
laugh, and her laugh was Of that hearty
kind that constrains persons of a full
habit OF body especially TO slnp their
knees and hold their sides. The jan
itor was maintaining his customary
seriousness Of expression and his wife
was smiling pleasantly at the depart
ing visitor, who suddenly broke Off a
sentence and kissed her with re-
sounding snnck.
"Don't ye stir step furder, Mary.
darlin'." she said, "Connolly viii see me
up 10 daylight, nn'-well, I'll give il TO
yez as we go out; sure ye wudent want
10 hurt Mary's fcelin's BE aisy now.
Sure II wudent be tn first time 1've
kissed him, Mary. Good-by. alanna.
Mkt Wensday, reminder.
"Yis, she's got anew siitin,room car-
pet" she resumed, as she came along
the passage, "an' picture av Clancy
in his sergint's uniformity mortal az
him-over the manly shelf, an'5win
We believe me, Connolly?--a pianny
they bought ON the installmint plan.
He that couldn't tell tn Oramus from
Carey Owenl But Julie niyer had tn
since av Kilpeera hin; ans It's shtoile
she wants anyway. But youth see
her, Wensday.
Tins to be there, too. His hid has
gone down since he lost his fine city
job; twas swelled so his hair wudent
cover Il mont ago 'Tis an uncertain
business, politics. tell Phil that same,
but he'll niver heed me. tried 10 coax
him wild me, but he siz; Tell Connolly
I'll not waste ear fare on limits tn
way he has-the creature. You know
his way. III give him an Mary a pink
tny,' I siz. an he saizs: You'll not get
Connolly over wild tay for an injuce-
mint"
Her voice died away as the spring
door closed behind her and her escort,
The tenaut, who had been fling key,
put the key in his pocket, and yielding
10 feeling OF curiosity. crawled on
the bench TO look out Of the basement
window He had just jumped down
and busted Oft the knees OF his trousers
when the door banged again, and the
jauitor descended the steps. tanning
himself with bis cap. as was his wont
when agitated.
"Unbotton my vest an give me a
drink of water" he said. family, as he
sank into chair. Feel Of my right
arm, an tell me If it's loose"
whats the matter? Didn't you get
chance TO talk 2" asked the tenant.
"Talki" echoed the janitor. Il don't
know whether I'm speakin' now or
whether its someone else. I've forgot
tn sound av my own voice. Whn;
makes It seem so quiet here? Glory be,
but that woman's a conversationalist!
I've heard enough In the last hour TO
keep me thinLin' for month o Sun
days.
There's wan thing I'm free from
anyway. I've my faults-wan or tive
enough to keep me human. but I'm
man av few words. like TO listen e
On entertainin' conversation an now an
then edge IN word TO show that In
payin' attention an keepin' the threaS
av tn discourse. but I've not tn gift ~
the CAB.
'I'm sorry for il at times, an know
my friends regret it. but thinkin' Il
where shine. like TO get of some
where IN tn shade in summer. or II
comp'ny with hot stove in winter. IN
think. 'Twould astonish YOU The thing
think av. take after second coush
av mine-th' wan was tellin' yol
about. has farm up in Wisconsin. Tha
man has thoughts would burn tn worl,
upside down If they was known. Hell
get out in the bsrn-upin the haymow
where it's soft ly-in' an there's nofhir
&c disturb hin-an study out II prob
lins a. existence A man that has 50