The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-08
"a Christian building?" Red repeated

ny Oh course, she Ieplleus
don't exactly know what you mean. l
wish that you would explain yourself.
Cold as it was Red felt the drops of
perspiration standing out on his fore
head under his cap vizor.
"Well," he said, and the words came
slowly and hesitatingly, II don't exactly
know de meaning myself, but onct l
heard Teller preacher on Sunday in
Ryan street and he was a telling me
about Christians and such things. He
says dat all de Christians dat live in
Christian buildings all come from de
man dat use to walk around long
while ago, bein kind to people. He was
awful kind to everybody and | happened
to t'ink dat if he was here now he
wouldn't turn away this woman and
child. especially on a night dat's as cold
as dis"
She let go of the knob on the panel.
In all her life among the rules and reg
ulations or st. Cephas, she had never
been addressed in that way before. She
looked into Reds tense, tightly drawn
face as he went on. but | have an
odder argument for you, mum. My
name is Red. I'm Red Mccain of the
Ryan street gang. Who Is it dat broke
a pane of glass in your parlor window
two weeks ago? 1t was de McGanns.
Who threw your ash barrel into de
area? 1t was de McGanns. Who comes
around de corner at 2 O'Clock in de
morning and hollers SO he wakes up all
de women what sleeps here? It's de
McGanns, my gang. Dey do it because
I tells dem to do it. Now look a-here,
mum-ef Red McGann tells dem not to
do it, dey wouldn't, and you'd be let
alone. Now if you take dis woman and
her kid in here tonight. | give you my
word you'll never miss no more ash bar
rels nor nottings. If you want ter know
more about me, yer can ask the police.
Dey knows me- Dey's friends of yours"
1t was more Of a homiletical address
than Red had made for a long while.
He was positively exhausted by the eff
fort. He withdrew his hand from the
panel opening and stared internationally
at Maggie and the woman, who was the
model of propriety and precision.
1t is hard to tell which part of Reds
appeal carried the day. A purist might
have said that his references to his lead
ership constituted a kind of blackmail.
But, be that as it may she handed
ticket out through the panel to Red.
Take this to the back door," she
said, as he clutched it eagerly. Il will
make an exception to the rule in TINS
| case"
Red felt a sense of victory keener
| than hard-fought battle with the But
terick place gang had ever given him.
There was glimmer of hope in Mag
gie's face that hadn't been there for
many days Together they entered the
warm and comfortable reception room
af st. Cephas.
A certain hauter had taken possess
sion of Red. He had won a hard-fght
| and determined to have some of the
| joys of victory.
He looked around loftily at the row of
cots in the room into which they were
led by the night caretaker.
1T isn't at all healthy" she said, "for
people who work hard all day to be
walked up at O'clock in the morning to
| let in worthless trash" Red understood
| the soliloquy. Yes" he unused i'll re-
| turn, cts pretty tough, but it is a good
deal tougher for to have to walk around
| in de snow and have to die of cold and
| hunger. OATS what it is"
Il like dis bed" said Red, selecting
one of the cots with the air of a master
of the situation. Its not too near the
stove, Maggie, dis is for YOU" BY this
time the night earetaker had made up
her mind that she was dealing with an
extraordinary person. She made no
more protest, and busted herself making
the cot ready for the mother and her
child.
Red" said Maggie, chow can ever
thank you?" Tears were flowing fast
out of her big blue eyes. you're all
right, Red, though nobody in Butterick
place ever knew it,"
30, don't mention it, said Rid, with
an airy manner. 'I'll look out for yon,
even if you are Barney's sister. know
choDhouse on AID street where dey
need girl to help wash dishes. De
barkeeper dere is a friend of mine, and
I'll give you strong recommend. You
needn't say anything about your troubles
if YOU don't want to. Good night.
Out among the cold, silent snowflakes
again, Red trudged on.
There it is again" he said. And he
listened.
Out of the silence of the night It
seemed to be sounding a sort of paean
of victory:
But l say unto you forgive your
enemies