The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-12-22
IS 9: 81 u Sg Is y q.

"ProSpcred; yes lool, it, don't ~
said ,hc other. with Il bitter laugh and
| Il glance downward 1T his broken boots
| and faded clothing. at is just week
since left Blackwcll's island. | land
ed there the day after | struck New
York. six months ago But that's moth
ing new for me"
Lawrence still stood mOtiouless. He
seemed paralyZed with horror.
but We haven't much to say to me,
Larry; perhaps ven have more when
We learn what Eve come for"
81 cannot hope it is for any honest
reason, Miles Callan; | have known
only evil from your hands in the past"
"And now we'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 snccr.
His thoughts were far away in Ireland.
1t was Il muOnlit summer night and
four young men We're returning to their
miserable home from Il meeting of
striking linen workers. AS they pass
ed through the deserted village streets
the eldest of them, who had been in
Weighing loudly against the landlords
and all who owned property, stopped
ana whispered something about Il linen
merchant whose store lie pointed out.
The older lads were intlamcd by pas
sion ana drink, and Lawrence, the
Youngest who had had his share of
the liquor. went with the rest. Only
half compromising what was intend
cd, he did rs the leader babe and
stationed himself at the door to watch
while the others went in through Il
rear window The merchant happen
ed to be sleeping in his shop that night.
He gave an alarm and the houSchrCak-
crS were caught. Larry pleaded guilty
and was sentenced to three months in
jail. 1t was this disgrace which drove
him in shame ana horror from his
native land.
Miles Call@n the leader of that shah
by little band of culprits, sat before
him.
Had We Gully robbed bank. now,
O'IIara. or made way wild big trust
funds it would have Il fine sound and
might he overlooked, but a linen dra-
per'S till-'Larry the Till Tapper'-
'twouId look i'll in the country papers,
wouldn't ii, lad"
flush. oh. hush" groancd Lawrence,
looking toward the door.
AYE, I've heard of her, too, and It's
not likely yc'll have told her of it nor
that ven be doing it soon
hnIl ,ut 81 ,rriu,,, ,,in.n of I,nnor
"Thcrc's an atteSted copy of an en-
try in the Jail wardcn's book ut Cross
molina: Lawrence OIIara, larceny; en-
tered June Is, discharged Sept. 10,
1855 Its price is $500. Take it if We
wish. If not, yer opponent will be
glad to buy it,
There was one swift passing mo-
ment of temptation. Lawrence had not
an enemy in the town or district, but
he knew too well the cruel emergencies
which politics give rise to. His oppo-
nent could not afford to ignore that pa
per. 1t would give him the election.
Then he spoke. Miles Callan had you
come here as an old acquaintance in
need for all the debt of bitterness |
owe you Iii nave helped you gladly.
But when YOU come avowing black
mail not one cent will you wiring from
me-"
From afar came family the sound OF
strange commingling of shouting,
singing. the beating of drums and the
footing of hCrns. An hour ago it would
have been the sweetest music in the
ears of O'Ilara. Now it sounded his
doom.
Miles tallan sat watching Lawrence,
malignant grin upon his face.
do you hear that" said the younger
man. That is my friends coming to
rejoice with me- Now see, Miles Cal
Ian, what Il man dare do. I've lived
this thing down once. Please God I'll
10 it again.