The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-15

"Prospered; yes, I look it, don't -"
said the other, with a bitter laugh and
a glance downward at his broken boots
and faded clothing. 1T is just a week
since 1 left BlackwelIs island. land
ed there the day after I struck New
York, six months ago. But that's moth
ing new for me-
Lawrence still stood motionless. He
seemed paralyzed with horror.
But We haven't much to say to me,
Larry; perhaps yen have more when
we learn what I've come for
Il cannot hope it is for any honest
reason, Miles Callan; have known only
evil from your hands in the past"
"And now ye're going to return good
for it, according to the way of the
righteous, and I'll see to it that we do
Lawrence did not hear the sneer.
His thoughts were far away in Ireland.
1t was a moonlit summer night and
four yoang men were returning to their
miserable home from a meeting of
striking linen workers. AS they passed
through the deserted village streets the
eldest of them, who had been inveighing
loudly against the landlords and all
who owned property, stopped and
whispered something about linen mer-
chant whose store he pointed out. The
older lads were inflamed by passion and
drink. and Lawrence, the youngest, who
had had his share of the liquor, went
with the rest. Only half comprehend
ing what was intended, he did as the
leader bade and stationed himself at
the door to watch while the others went
in through a rear window. The mer-
chant happened to be sleeping in his
shop that night. He gave an alarm
and the housebreakers were caught.
Larry pleaded guilty and was sentence
ed to three months in Jail. II was this
disgrace which drove him in shame and
horror from his native land.
Miles Callan, the leader of that shah
by little band of culprits, sat before
him.
Had We only robbed a bank, now
O'Hara, or made way wild big trust
funds il would have a fine sound and
might be overlooked. but a linen drap-
er,s till-'Larry the till tapper'-twould
look i'll in the county papers, wouldn't
bit, lad?
Hush, oh, hush!'' groaned Lawrence,
looking toward the door.
Aye, I've heard of her too, and tits
not likely ven have told her of it, nor
that yen be doing it soon"
He held out a grimy piece of paper.
There's an attested copy of an entry
in the jail warden's book at Crossmo-
lima: Lawrence O'Hara, larceny: enter
ed June 13, discharged Sept. IS, 1885
Its price is $500. Take il if We wish.
If not. yer opponent will be glad to
| buy IL"
/ There was one swift passing moment
I of temptation. Lawrence had not an
enemy in the town or district. but he
knew too we'll the cruel emergencies
/ which politics give rise TO. His op-
ponent could not afford to ignore that
paper. II would give him the election.
+ Then he spoke Miles CaIan, had you
/ come here as an old acquaintance II
need. for ali the debt Of bitterness !
owe YOU I'd have helped you gladly.
But when You come avowing biackmail
not cent viii you wiring from me"
! From afar came family the sound OF
a strange commingling Of shouting.
singing, the beating OF drums and the
footing Of horns. An heur ago *
would have been the sweetest music in
+ the ears OF O'Hara- Now il sounded his
doom.
Miles CaIlan sat watching Lawrence
a malignant grin upon his face
DO you hear that2'' said the younger
/ man. That is my friends coming 10
rejoice with me. Now see. Miles Cal
Ian. what a man dare do. I've lived