The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-12

Now. mother. I guess you're all right"
The little woman smoothed her rumpied
skirts and r~earranged her old-fashioned
bonnet before she replied:
Faith. I'm glad re came alorg. young
man. The horses were near steppin' on me.
so they were; only for you. they had me
kilt.
Il have twenty-five clnts. II itn do ye
amy good. but I hope ye won't spind amy
Of II for rum They do say that rum IS the
curse OF this town"
Jim grinned. What's your manner he
said.
Mary Doolan." she replied. Then she
looked furtively up and down crowded West
street. pulled Jim's coat confidently, and
whispered:
Tn afther runnin' away
'-SIoped?' said Jim. Where's the man.
Sure. there is no man, only me husband
Faith. I'm Goin' back again tonight. How
would Roger get along. poor man, wfdout me
TO be SEWN the buttons on his clothes or
gettin' his breakfast for him? It's only me
own foolishness and me wantin' to get 4
new Easter bonnet, sir!
And could we tell me where that place
is?' handing him a small tag. which was
taken from tho crown OF the Easter hat
which she had worn twenty-five years ago.
The printing was faded by time. but Jim
read aloud:
Rose Blossom. Mniner. No. = East
Broadway"
JIm's somewhat caIloused heart was
touched to finer issues. He put Mary into
an automobile. climbed In himself. and as
the motor ratified OF he drew out OF her all
OF the little comedy.
How she MIXED four cows night and
morning. until the thought OF cows and
milk and churns nauseated her. How tired
she was Of cooking and the inevitable round
OF domestic cares. She had not owned 4
new dress for twelve years. The one she
wore had been turned four times, and she
was afraid 1t was beginning to look rather
shiny.
Did Jim notice 1t? But Jim found no suita-
HE words to fit the situation. being only q
man. and he was relieved by the arrival of
the motor at No. = East Broadway.
Rose Blossom had long since passed away
into the land where there are no artificial
flowers, but other active females had taken
her place. and there were Easter hats
enough to crown a regiment OF Amazons.
Mary picked out one that would have
thrown a colOred w-asherwoman into a par
oxysm Of delight.
1t was a riot OF kaleidoscope color. a
Gainsborough OF cart-wheel proportions, a
nightmare. Mary insisted on putting 1t on
her head. But Jim's broad grin faded when
she drew from the pocket OF her dress a
canvas bag and counted out upon the show
case $3.50 in cents and nickels.
What remuneration. what pinching. what
dreams those coins represented. Jim knew.
for he had heard all about 1t in the automo-
bile, and hat was the reason he went out
upon the sidewalk to smoke a cigar. as he
told Mary.
And now" said Mary. radiant and vol
as she settled herself in the "divvil
wagon" as she called 1t. would ye take me
to the Atlantic Ga-arden for a little whileg'
Jim realized that the undertaking was the
most daring he had ever attempted, as he
moved up the aisle OF the ancient beer hall,
saluted by a thousand grins and as many
chuckles Of contagious delight.
But the animated Irish sunfower by his
side was oblivious to the turmoil she
for her eyes were fixed on the white
robed band. and her thirsty cars drank
greedIly the music OF the mammoth orches-
trion, and her wrinkled face split wide open
at the appearance Of the perennial comedian
with the bladder.
Jim paid no attention TO the stage. but
watched his companion ooze joy and laugh
ter. Blase and Indifferent. he realized that