Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1901-11-30

When the Rag Row" Closed

BY d. H. TALMADGE.
Copyright. 1901, by Authors svndicateJ

r ET it be distinctly understood that
j no man conforms precisely to the
estimate put upon him by the world.
He is human, and consequently too
deep in places for human comprehen-
sion.
Duggles is considered to be a very
wicked young mana man OF men,
ace to the better social interests,
who obtains his living in manner
prohibited by the statutes and there
by assists the police reporters OF the
daily press to obtain theirs honestly,
which fact has a bearing upon some
problem or other in moral philoso-
ply. He is not bad-looking young
fellow when he appears in police
court after a comfortable nights
sleep, and 1t is noted on these occa-
'sions that a young woman with big
brown eyes, which seem to melt and
run down her face when she looks
mt the prisoner, invariably occupies
q seat near the door. This young
woman has come to be as much a
feature of interest to the court ha-
bitues as Duggles himself, and the
police department even goes SO far
as to suspect her of completely in
certain crimes, which is as great
compliment as the police department
is capable Of paying to any person
outside of itself. But it never does
more than suspect, because the only
thing against her is her friendship
for Duggles, and friendship for q
criminal does not constitute crime
in this country, nor will it so long as
men of different moral standards are
compelled by motives of political
policy to associate with one another.
Some state legislature will make such
"A law perhaps after awhile. Any
thing may be expected from state
legislatures, which as rule are COM
posed of conscientious men who la
Dor under the frightful delusion that
if they fail to make laws they are
failing in their duty to the common
wealth, and who, poor creatures, are
woefully pushed at times to obtain
raw material. This, however, has
nothing to do with Duggles in par
ticular.
Duggles appeared one night at the
Three Corners, a locality frowned
upon by those good people who be-
lieve that vice should be cloaked re-
specially, and crooked his finger at
q certain window. The window
'drapery fiuttered responsively, and q
moment later the girl of the brown
eyes appeared in the family en-
trance" of the beer saloon known
to many shuddering readers of the
daily prints as Buds Place" Bud"
was the girls father. Also he was
a warm friend to Duggles.
"Evenin'," said Duggles. He gently
grasped the hand that the girl ex-
tended towards him and held it.
They seated themselves upon the
doorstep. didn't look for me to-
night, did your" He smiled.
NO." replied the girl; "but that
makes me all the gladder to see you"
"Naw!" He was greatly pleased.
swarm, amt it?"
awful"
"'Twas warmer where I was last
night"
"Was it?"
81 bet you'll" He rubbed the stub
BILE of his chin with his disengaged
hand and chuckled. Then he pressed
q bit closer to her. "Molly, what
would you say to buyin' house and
movin' into it, you and me?"
"What you givin' me?"
Straight goods, me girl. See here:
There was a select little stag party
up on Avenue B last night, and was
to it; dropped in without bein' bid
about two o'clock. No matter how
/ got in; 'twasn't by the door; and
what I got wasn't what I went after.
/ didn't touch a thing, and when !
left I covered every track"
'You heard somethin'?"
"Gee, but you're clever, Mollyl
How did you tumble so easy?" He
contemplated the girl In frank ad-
miration.
"stop guyin'. What did you hear?"
He closed one eye cunningly.
you'll have to let me whisper it into
your ear, and you'll have to take
chances of gettin' kissed while I'm
whisperin' it."
Don't you dare, Bill Duggles!"
The girl scowled fiercely, then rested
her head upon his shoulder. "Ain't it
nice they didn't put an arc on this
side the buildin'?" she murmured.
sM-m-m-m," he agreed.
A policeman passed, twirling his
night stick. A bevy of girls, chatting
and laughing shrilly, paused, nudging