Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-06-20

and some happiness-more OF the lat-
ter, perhaps, than the neighDorhood
seems to warrant. For on Bloom
Street in one short block seven sa-
looms and vinegar factory unite 10
faint the air, at one end lies a mesh
of railway tracks, while just beyond
runs Jones Falls, turbulent with gray
water. The houses, whose lower
rooms are costly situate below the
sidewalk, contrive to drain the cutters
instead of being drained by them. Inc
passing trains sift veil of cinders
over all.
Yet time was when Michael nag
gerty lived very happily there. you
might see him, stumping on MS
wooden leg in and out OF his watch-
box all day long, to warn the tralhc
with his dingy flag of some approach
ing engine. He lived a sooty, nara
existence. did Michael Haggerty'
every night found the little punk III
his Matchbox more welcome to him.
Had 1t not been for Jimmy he wouiu
have given up the struggle long ago.
and become that which he most dread
ed and to which all his tendencies
led-a waif, idle, useless. an animal
without will. But Jimmy was 10 pe
n fine man some day, and for that II
was necessary that he, Michael nag
gerty, should flag a crossing, If not 10
the end of all time at least nearly thaI
long-till the pale, little lad shouid pe
old enough to feel his fathers nope
as his own, and to make fght LOT It,
A short time he had every day IN
which to strengthen his purpose. mat
was when Jimmy, tiny, squalld hs-
ure, with a tin pail, brought tne
father his lunch. All regulations
forbade that Jimmy should stay, put
that was what he did. The lathfs
would take him on one knee, and the
bucket on the other, and talk, hour
ishing his wedge of bread meanwhile
in energetic explanation.
Jim" he would say, I'm get'in
old."-that was the regular COM
mencement of their chat.
mo, pa" little Jimmy used TO an
swer bravely, smuggling a curly heau
against the rough shoulder. And then
old Michael would lead on into tell
ing what an honest, true man ne
wanted Jimmy to be, and how some
day he might come to such a hlgh
position as the great president OF the
road. and Jimmy would answer back
how he didn't like to play with MIC
Finney or any O. those boys down the
street. And old Michael would point
longingly to the slant of streets up
on the other side of the Falls, with
the great brown spire in the midst
and then-"Boy," he would say, bit
terly, 1.-The jail's right near on this
side"
The lad wondered why his pas
face grew so stern when he said that.
But he was only eight years old, and
knew so few things. Then a train
would come along, and the father
stumped out with his flag, and the
little boy trudged the half BLOCK
back to where he boarded with
Jolly, much be-childered Irish family.
For some complication OF causes
once in a while freight wasn't moved
so much, and old Michael got off for
half a day. In a suit of rusty lack
he would go to fetch Jimmy, and the
two in perfect understanding strolled
off to the park together.
One of these happy times when
Michael looked into the crowded
front room of the house on Bloom
Street, some one else sat there besides
Jimmy and the Irish family. Her
back lay towards him, but he knew
her at once, and felt strange, dizzy
faintness bout the heart. No need
for the Irish woman to call his atten-
ton. "Haggerty. here's one as says
she knows yer."
The newcomer slowed her CHAIR
round, but did not get up. Jimmy,
watching over in a corner, wondered
why she smiled so queerly. She was
not a nice-looking woman. Utter
silence for a moment, then suddenly
she spoke, with an attempt at a
laugh.
"Why, Mike" she said, Amt we
going t. kiss me?"
Jimmy looked at his father and
thought he must be sick, he cleared