Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-06-28


and some happiness more Of the lat
ter, perhaps, than the neighborhood
seems to warrant For on Bloom
Street in one short block seven sa-
looms and a vinegar factory unite to
faint the air, at one end lies 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 The
passing trains sift a veil of cinders
over all.
Yet time. was when Michael Hag-
gerty lived very happily there. You
might see him, stumping on his
wooden leg in and out of his watch
box all day long, to warn the traffic
with his dingy flag of some approach
ing engine. He lived a sooty. hard
existence, did Michael Haggerty;
every night found the little bunk in
his Matchbox more welcome to him.
Had it not been for Jimmy he would
have given up the struggle long ago,
and become that which he most dread
ed, and to which all his tendencies
led-a wait. idle. useless, an animal
without will. But Jimmy was to be
a fine man some day, and for that 1t
was necessary that he, Michael Hag-
gerty, should fagsa crossing, if not to
the end of all time at least nearly that
long-till the pale, little lad should be
old enough to feel his fathers hope
as his own, and to make fight for it.
A short time he had every day in
which to strengthen his purpose That
was when Jimmy. tiny. squalid fig
ure, with a tin pail, brought the
father his lunch All regulations
forbade that Jimmy should stay, but
that was what he did. The fathsr
would take him on one knee, and the
bucket on the other, and talk. -four
ishing his wedge of bread meanwhile
in energetic explanation
"Jim,'' he would say, I'm gettin'
old, that was the regular COM
of their chat.
mo, pa" little Jimmy used to an
swer bravely, smuggling a curly head
against the rough shoulder. And then
old Michael would lead on into tell
ing what an honest, true man he
wanted Jimmy to be, and how some
day he might come to such a high
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
longing1y 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 |
out with his flag, and the |
little boy trudged the half block |
back to where he boarded with a |
Jolly, much-be-childered Irish family. |
For some complication of causes |
once in a while freight wasn't moved |
50 much, and old Michael got of for |
half a day. In a suit of rusty black |
ne would go to fetch Jimmy. and the |
.wo in perfect understanding strolled |
DIFF 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
aintness bout the heart. No need |
or the Irish woman to call his atten-
ion. "Haggerty, here's one as says
The knows yer"
The newcomer slowed her chair
-ound, but did not get up. Jimmy,
over in a corner, wondered |
Why she smiled so Queerly. She was
aot a nice-looking woman. Utter
silence for moment, then suddenly
The spoke, with an attempt at q
apgh.
why. Mike she said. Amt We
,oing t. kiss me?"
Jimmy looked at his father and
hought he must be sick, he cleared
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