Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-02-06

The father came ont. hearing them.
followed in a moment by the son. The
old man had patriarchal, white beard,
shining, bald head and forehead
scored by innumerable wrinkles. He
fastened dim eye on the visitors. the
only sign of life that he gave. HE
can't spik no Englis'." explained the
young man. He was short and bent and
hollow checked. He coughed as he
talked.
j "You have bad cold. " said Harry.
with ready interest.
"Oh. IL not in. not'in. only like II
make me set down so often-when !
git de bag full - He added: Mr..
Alderman McGinnis give me medicine,
full bottle; taxed it out Of his pocket. +"
"Isn't he heref"
..No: he gone to next street-Whin-
ney's de name. Say, he's a good man. >
He spoke rapidly to his father in his
own tongue. and as II in answer the
old man nodded several times and lifted
his trembling hands.
''He prays for him. he Is 20 good, !"
explained the SOD. with reverent air.
"He seen bout my mothers coffin.
everything. He lend me all de money.
and he git friend take my junk for 80
can pay. He's good. You bet. :"
IF he is 10 good. he can't want the
strike to go on. thought Billy as they
drove on to the whinneys'. Harry. in
front, said not a word. What he
thought Of Alderman McGinnis' good
ness he kept to himself Neither did
Fitzmaurice speak until they were rein.
ing up before the Whinneys' picket
fence. Here's the Whinneys'," said
he: Largest family in the ward; four
votes in it. Mrs. Whinney's widow
and an awful hard worker. but the boys
are wild"
The Whinneys had teaspoon OF n
garden and small porch. on which sat
three Of the wild boys, smoking. in
their Sunday clothes They said that
the alderman had gone to the Widow
Hoffmsn's.
"You all well," asked Tommy.
"Wen. yes; but Jimmy's in trou-
ble." This from the eldest. the others
mutually asserting.
"What's the matter with jimmy
Fight. Tony Becker. He hit him
harder he meant
EITHER Of them drunk
Both" said the brother senten-
tiously.
"well, now. that's too bad" said
Tommy sympathetically, as II he had
been told that they were both cripples
and he clicked his tongue against his
teeth.
MAS dreadful upset by it. said the
youngest brother.
..Of course. Say. how about bail ?"
"Oh. Mr.. McGinnis seen about that.
That II be all right.
Got into the pepers,"
"No. sir. Mr.. McGinnis, he seen a
reporter. Maybe he can keep it out. "
There's a man to tie 70. =" exclaimed
Tommy warmly.
That's right" cried all the Whin-
ney boys in concert.
Then Harry drove on to the Widow
Hoffman's. The widow was slowly dy-
ing Of an incurable disease. She had
been q woman Of mark in the ward
rearing FIVE orphan children. with new
er cent from her husband nor 80
much as lump Of cos, from the poor
overseer. and yet Of no one in the ward
was there recorded more acts Of kind
ness, small and great. The widow s
Sunday cap showed at the window.
She was a large featured. gray haired
woman, who smiled with her eyes Of
tener than with her lips. woman that
strangers called plain. but it wouldn't I
be well for one to use that word in
speaking Of her in the Eighth ward
No less than three nosegays and loose
bunch Of dollhouse roses frightened the
table before her. She beckoned with
her hand. and Tommy led the way into
the house. the door Of which was opened
by her daughter. The alderman had
gone on. the girl explained. he only
stopped - bring her mother some roses
But wouldn't the gentlemen step in !
Her mother was wanting to speak with
Mr.. Losing
~ was wanting to ask you. knowing
You knew Mr. Hollistef. will they strike
; at the Hollister ~ the widow asked. an
eager tremor in her tones
Il hope not. ! don't know" an
swered Harry. whom Tommy in his
young days had often brought to see the
widow. 1--WE are looking for McGinnis
. in hopes he can do something to stop
it."
THAT he can, and that he will. de-
clared the widow earnestly. HE Is q
good man, Michael McGinnis. and the
influence he has is wonderful Though
why shouldn't he have when he's al.
ways helping somebody But heard
. yesterday the men was terribly stirred
up, and I've been that distressed can't
i, quiet my mind at all "
"But." said Harry rather stupidity,
"I thought your sons weren't in the
Hollistery''
The widow looked surprised. mo. to
be sure. sir. God be thanked! Did ycu
think it was for myself ! was scared
Oh, il amt for me and mine! It's for
all the sore hearts there'n be in this
neighborhood. Poor Mrs. Whitney
! She was crying over it this very morn
ing. The boys'll be on the street from
morning till night. says she. 'and God
knows what'll happen You've heard
of her troublei Twas the strike made
!! the fight. And Molly Aiken. the dress.
maker, she was worrying how she
wouldn't have no work. Oh. there's
! more misery than just losing wages
comes from strike. and 30 told the
alderman.
II hope be agreed with you. Mrs.
, Hoffman" Billy spoke out Of his anxi.
ETY., meeting her eye at that second.
"He says: Don't you fret. Mrs.
Hoffman. It'll all come right in the
wash. You know his joking way. and
I'm hoping more now"
Il Billy's own hopes began TO warm his
heart again. He left the widows com.
, forted, but Harry Losing frowned.
Tommy's handsome Irish face was ai
impassive - mask.
They drove to many places after the
alderman. They heard Of more than
ono saying and doing Of hiA Here II
was joke, and therel shrewd bargain,
and most often q trivial. good natured
, kindness But they did not find him.
. i And rreaontly Fitrmnurice. who had