The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-12-26


fellow creature to whom life seemed as
unbearable as TO himself.
The solution OF the problem how 10
release the desperate man came to
Norton when the painting still was
feebly broken by the distant voice OF a
child calling. The man on the ground
raised his head. as If from force Of
habit to listen. The voice came
nearer.
Papa papa! Mamma wants you"
Let me up. That's my kid"
Norton jumped up delighted.
Papa! Mamma wants you to come
10 her"
Here, Connie"
The man In the peajacket sat up on
the snowy curb, trying to rid himself
of the marks OF his rough-and-tumble
In the snow. Norton was picking up
his tall hat when little girl In "A pink
frock emerged from the darkness Of the
street. The little girl appeared TO for
get that 10 was n cold night. and that
her black wooden shawl thrown over
her head was n very slender protection.
The shawl was trailing behind her as
she ran to her papa, and, sobbing,
threw herself into his arms.
"Oh, papa, she didn't mean it
mamma didn't mean for you TO go
away and never come back! Won't
you come to her now, please, papaY
Norton, brushing his silk hat, felt
once more moved TO laughter-pcrhaps
not the laughter of n merely humorous
appreciation, but still laughter. Taught
by his late experience. he moderated
his laugh TO hardly audible chuckle,
and then as that excited no fresh out
break on the part Of Comics papa, he
spoke up:
Yes. Connic"-he had caught the lit
tie ones "papa's going home.
But you mustn't catch cold, little girl.
Uerew
He was taking off his own overcoat
to throw over the child when her
father, still sitting in the snow huegng
her to his peajackot, looked up and
caught him in the act
"If you take off that coat, you'll
catch your death of noomony, mister"
he said
81 shall not have time for that part
ner Why not? Because I'm going to
send you home with Connie while ! go
the other way" He nodded I'm the d.
rcction of the river 81 have no home
where I'm wanted and no little girl to
run about in the snow looking for
me-"
Connie looked up at him over her
papn's shoulder. Amt you got-no-
body at all?'
Nobody at all Connie Here, let me
see If the coats too long for YOU"
Her papa rose and gathered up the
trailing black shawl. ''Ii-Ss> on home,
baby" he said wrapping IL tight about
her. Run on now. just as fast as you
can, and tell mamma I'm coming right
away-soon rs | get through talking
TO this gentleman on business"
Norton took something out Of his
pocket, stopped, and transferred the
something to Comics .Land, whisper
ing TO her. and she, after one puzzled
stare, disappeared up the street. Tie
! looked after her a moment, and then,
turning away with chucklc. said:
You must have been clean of your
head. partner And You tried to make
out was. | wish you'd tell me what
the trouble is But, anyhow, | know
now you hadn't half my excuse for
wanting To jump into the river
Think SO. ch? How would you like
! IL If you had worked hard for ten
years, and then had to see your things
al sold out-horse. and wagon, and
everything-an your wife saying
you're no kind of use"
That's enough" Norton interrupted
ITS only money with you. by the
way what's your name? McCorkle
All right. McCorkle. l just want e
tell you that you don't know wher
you're well OF Come on. McCorklc
I'm going TO put off THAI swim with tn,
ice cakes until tomorrow night Ugh
IL surely is n good deal more comforta
BILE with this coat on. Hope | didn'
seriously hurt your arms just now"
The two late combatants began (,
plod together through the snow In th'
roadway. Now, see here. McCorkle
I'm putting Off my plunge just for on
thing-just TO write check to you
order. You agree 10 take that checl
and use It? You won't? All right
then. Good night" He turned bacl
and began TO unbutton his coat again
McCorkle was really doubtful abou
| fh. st,fafIa1 In ~ thfa ton hnt 70,
man who had interfered with his owi
/ impulse I'm that direction. He had {
acknowledge himself conquered on thi
line too. for the sake of his own peac
, of conscience. and having had sutl
cient proof of his inability TO save th
| other man by physical force. Besides
; he longed TO he back with his wifi
} and Come. So he solcmnly promise
f: TO accept the check and consented =
( show Norton the little tenement Jus
| around the corner on the avenue tina
| was his home. And so Norton had IN
q good fortune TO meet Mrs. McCorkle.
c Norton was young in years. and sti
Q younger in general experience. Niue
J, Of his life had been spent on Wester
Y cattle range. in n region where MIR
9 McCorkle's sex was scantlly and M
r favorably represented. Pondering III
{ situation revealed 10y Comics sobbin
n message. and by the scene at which Il
t. assisted II the McCorkle home. he b,
n gan to think that a woman's wor
r needs much interpreting and patienc
d And that other person was of Mr.
o McCorkle's sex. though in unlike ci