St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-12-21
When the Rag Row" Closed
BY .. H. TALMADGE.
Copyright, 1901, BY Author. Syndicate,

EFT it be distinctly understood that
Il 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 q 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 a bad-looking young
fellow when he appears in police
court after comfortable nights
sleep, and it is noted on these occa-
sions that young woman with big
brown eyes, which seem to melt and
run down her face when she looks
ct the prisoner, invariably occupies
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 a
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 a
criminal does not constitute a 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
q law perhaps after awhile. Any
thing may be expected from state
legislatures, which as rule are COM
posed of conscientious men who Ia
# 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, locality frowned
upon by those good people who be-
lieve that vice should be cloaked re-
specially, and crooked his finger at
certain window. The window
drapery Auttered responsibility, 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 "Bud's Place." '.Bud''
was the girls father. Also he was
Q 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 you?" 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 was last
night"
"Was it?''
81 bet you!" 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
nm on Avenue B last night, and was
. 10 it; dropped in without bein' bid
about two o'clock. No matter how
I got in; 'twasn't by the door; and
what I got wasn't what went after.
didn't touch. thing, and when !
left I covered every track"
..You heard sometime"
Gee, but you're clever, Molly!
How did you tumble SO easy?" He
contemplated the girl in frank adj
miration.
..stop guyin'. What did you hear?''
He closed one eye cunningly.
aYou'n have to let me whisper it into
your ear, and yoa1l 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
aide the buildin'?" she murmured.
.M-mm-m," he agreed.
A policeman passed, twirling his
night stick. A bevy of girls, chatting
and laughing shrilly, paused, nudging