The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-03-17
! MOLLY'S JAIL BIRD
. By MAY BELLEVILLE BROWN.
MOLLY sat by her kitchen window


she had that the little woman could
not help being cheerful.
She was maid-Of-all-work, nurse.
plain seamstress, butler, laundress
and general factotum in the family of
james L. Revell. or, as it was written
on her mistress cards, j. Barnett Re-
VEIL Her position was not sinecure
for in each Of her offices the best work
was expected of her, few liberties were
given her, and her weekly stipend was
no greater than that given in houses
where the same work was divided
among three or four. But Molly was
an orphan, unsophisticated and easily
imposed upon, and, besides, livid rec
mark lay across her right cheek, rem
dering her self-conscious and willing
10 hide herself anywhere.
When she looked in her mirror she
did not see that her eyes were pleas
ant blue, that her lips were full an6
rosy. that her light brown hair waved
prettilv back from a broad forehead
she only saw the angry-lookins
brand burning on her cheek, and felt
that she could not bear strange eyes
Further, Molly was faithful, and wher
Mrs. Revell, somewhat pompously
dwelt on her own goodness in befriend
ing Molly, and the excellent home ant
advantages that she gave to her, the
girl felt a gratitude that displayed it
self in yet more faithful and willing
seyvtude, not stopping to properly
WEIGH The so-cailed advantages"
The Revells lived on the street tina
was the very border!and CT socia
eligibility in Neneering. The mex
street east. and Mrs. Revell might havs
struggled in vain for recognition
Then it would have profted her moth
Inc TO divide her husbands name in til
middle on her visiting cards. The mex
street west, and Mrs. Revell woult
have found the struggle vastly easie-
than it had been.
So when Molly sat singing by th
Kitchen window, she saw, across the
neat back yard and high board fence
sandwiched between great corn-cril
and q blacksmith shop, the brick walls
of the city jail-called the "calaboose'
by the Youngsters about town. It wa
grim, one-story affair, with barred
windows, and had been an eyesore to
Molly ever since she first saw it, Some.
times its prisoners were hilarious, ant
their shouts and ribald songs made he1
shuddcr: often it was empty, fol
Vencering was a staid, sober town.
Tonight she paused between the
verses Of her song. The policemen or
their beat were coming down the al.
ley with a prisoner, their voices com.
ing clearly to her across the fence
He was a new man, therefore very
Jealous.
"Yes Yes!" he was saying, deris.
lively. "They all play that gag on me
guess the sunstroke you got was over
a counter and out of a glass;
"But-but, listen to me, officer" said
the man. thickly, as he staggered along
with the policeman's help, 81 haven't
touched a drop. It's the heat-I was
overcome in the harvest field last
month, and this is the first time I've
been out
eyes, anil be your last time till
you've paid your fne," put in the
policeman.
But it's true, say" stammered the
man. "and you mustn't lock me up.
I'm sober-Tm sick. This is a false
charge"
AS he pleaded they reached the jail
and, unlocking the door, the officer
with derisive laugh, pushed the mar
into the inner darkness and slammed
the door on him. Molly, straining he,
ears, heard him call once or twice, then
all was still. Her song stopped, and
her ready sympathy went out to the
poor man across the alley. Not for a
moment did she doubt his story.
though his thick and husky voice and
uncertain walk were against him, and
an unusual anger burned within her.
She hurried into the parlor, where Mrs.
Revell sat in imposing leisure.
"Oh, Mrs. Revell-ma' The
policeman has just brought a poor
sick man up the alley and locked him
up for drunk, for all the man told he
was only sick from sunstroke. Won't
you have Mr.. Revell go and see about
p"
The mistress stared in petrifed sur
prise, not comprehending the meaning
OF Molly's request. Then she laughed
an unpleasant, contemptuous laugh.
Fancy" she said in tone that
made. the girl shrink. $50 you want
Mr. Revell to espouse the cause of sot
arrested on the street, just because
you heard the creature protest that
he was not drunk. You've done good
many foolish things, Molly, but this is
tie worst yet. Go back to your place
and don't worry about your jail bird
He'll be sick enough by morning, any
way"
Molly crept back to her kitchen.
abashed but not convinced, and sat in
silence by the window for an hour
longer. The evening was still and very
hot. She knew that the only ventila-
ton afforded in the prisoners room
was from single slit-like window. At
last she could stand it no longer, and
taking pitcher of cold water and a
small tin cup. stole out of the gate and
across to the building'opposite.
She peered through the bars, but the
interior was in the blacklist darkness.
The man was breathing heavily, groan.
ing with nearly every breath. She
shook the bars gently once or twice
to attract his attention, and spoke
softly:
Say, mister-listen!''
Finally she heard a motion, and in
moment the man answered weakly:
what is it?" -
~