The record-union., 1898-02-13
THE LITTLE GENERAL.

He had beaten Kathleen, his wife,
much earlier than usual, and young
Tim, coming in soon after, got. stray
and careless clout on the side Of tue
head while poking about for a match
to light his pipe.
A year ago young Tim might have
stood this, but he was married now. a
six months married man with a one
roomed house of his own. and having
only looked in to pass the time of day.
and having also had glass or two,
he felt it to be a breach of hospitality.
'Ye onmannerly ould sinner!" | heard
him shout through the open window,
here's for yez." and the clout was re-
turned generously.
The free fight that came after is still
remembered in Rutherford's Close, off
the High street in Edinburgh. They
fought the length of the fairly long
room, from the fireplace to the door, and
back again from the door TO the fire.
place, AS youth or experience proved
the stronger, until Kathleen had
screamed herself hoarse. and even the
hardened children playing in the dirty
court below looked up astonished from
their dust and mussel-shells.
They fought back again to the door,
tugging and straining, at too close
quarters to do all the damage they
wished, while watched them from my
window, one fiat higher on the oppo-
site side Of the court.
Then a cunning back-fall sent Young
Tim against the door, which flew open,
and staggering out of my sight alto
gether, they rolled down the dark stair
fighting into the High street through a
crowd of interested neighbors, who
were far too sportsmanlike to interfere.
/, having some weeks of hard reading
behind me, and an examination very
near, was not so liberal minded as the
neighbors, and, going through the
wynd presently, expressed my opinions
freely to them concerning Messrs. Nc
Carthy
Another such row. / said, "and I'll
get old Mccarthy to the police station.
Some of you can tell him so when he's
sober"
They told him apparently before that
desirable state was reached, and stand
ing under my window a little later,
flushed with victory, he expressed his
opinion of me and my manners-which
he offered to improve in one lesson If
I'd give him the chance.
This / declined to do until he should
be saner, whereupon he classified me as
cowardly water-drinking viper, say
ing there were none such in ould Ire
land, thanks be to ST. Patrick, and went
away to drink again, with the result
that little before midnight Kathleen
Mccarthy was yelling murder for all
she was worth.
/ was awake and dressed. and read
ing, and l had not forgotten Ould Tins
contemptuous sarcasms. 1t sounded
as though Kathleen was suffering for
my shyness Of encounter, and that
stung me badly. Besides, twice. TO
my knowledge, killing had been done
within hundred yards of that place
without any attempt at interference,
and / had no mind to risk being a par
ty to a third such affair. The screams
continuing, 1 ran out and knocked up
neighbor.
Fetch the police for your life!" !
said ''and bring them to Tim McCar-
thy's!" and then l bolted down my
stair and stumbled up Tins, until !
had groped my way to his door.
4 l.
on the threshold with no thirst for un-
necessary risks. Kathleen was now
scolding and crying at the same time
so the danger was not pressing. I did
not know how many might be in the
room, but / calculated that they Were
likely all to set upon me together, If
presented myself as an unbidden guest,
and here 1 thought l would wait for the
police. / listened lest any sudden out
break should force me to go in alone,
but the first fresh sound came from be-
low. A quick step sounded in the
wind and mounted the stair. 1t was too
quick and light for one of the police, but
came up with a decided sound of a foot
that knew the place and had no need
to soften it's tread. / moved to meet
it. and was at once challenged in a
clear, firm voice, as a shadowy figure
rose
"Ah! Your neighbor met me-" the
voice broke in directly / began to ex-
plain. You frightened him and he
has insisted on going to the police,
though | told him I didn't think they'd
be needed. Let's go in"
They're quieter now" I whispered;
''shan't we waltz"
"Why?" said the voice brusquely, and
without waiting for the answer which
l was cudgeling my brain to shape as
concisely as the question, the figure
threw the door open and stepped in
confidently with Pax vobiscum"
!, ashamed, followed close upon his
heels, and was Immediately put on my
guard for Ouid Tim, whose whisky
Icnr don int r HaIt
tation had not yet reached. scented
treachery, and came for me as straight
and as swiftly as his condition would
allow
Pax vobiscum!" The slight straight
figure stepped swiftly between u.s. one
hand uprased, and Tim came no
farther
Stand you back. Tim Mccarthy"
said the little man severely cor. if you
can't stand, then lie. but don't come
step this way, or twill be d bad night
for you"
But there was no thought Of rebellion.
When two tall and sturdy members of
the city police tramped stolidly up n
few minutes later, there was nothing
for them to do. Tim lay asleep and
snoring in the corner: Kathleen moaned
and WINGED a little under the deft fin
gers of the priest, who was dressing a
cut over one we'll blackened eye, while
l. medical-though, it is true, only
in my second year-waS humbly hold
ing the candle The two men grinned
and saluted. getting a quick little ned
in return. as my companion, safety-pin
in mouth. made a neat reverse Of the
bandage round Kathleen's head
We're not needit." said one of them.
with conviction: and l saw little dry
smile develop, as well as it might, round