The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-03-05

: II
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
90 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-tumbl
in the snow. Norton was picking up
his tall hat when a little girl in print
frock emerged from the darkness of
the street. The little girl appeared to
forget that it was cold night, and
that her black wooden shawl thrown
over her head was a very slender pro-
lection. The shawl was trailing be-
hind her as she ran to her papa, and,
sobbing, threw herself into his arms.
"Oh, papa, she didn't mean it-mam-
ma didn't mean for you to go away
and never come back! Won't you come
to her now, please, papa?"
Norton, brushing his silk hat, felt
once more moved to laughter-per-
haps not the laughter of a merely
humorous appreciation, but still laugh
ter. Taught by his late experience, he
moderated his laugh to a hardly aud
ible chuckle, and then, as that excited
no fresh outbreak on the part of Con-
MES papa, he spoke up.
Eyes, Connie"-he had caught the
little ones name-'papa's going home.
But you mustn't catch cold, little girl.
Here!"
He was taking off his own overcoat
to throw over the child when her ia
Their, still sitting in the snow hugging
her to his peajacket, looked up and
caught him in the act.
IF you take off that coat, you'll
cotch 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 in the di-
rection of the river. Il 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
papa's shoulder. Amt you got-no-
body at ALP"
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. run on home,
baby" he said, wrapping it tight about
her. run on now, just as fast as you
can, and tell mamma I'm coming right
away-soon as l get through talking
to this gentleman on business"
Norton took something out of his
pocket, stopped, and transferred the
something to Comics hand, whisper
ing to her, and she, after one puzzled
stare, disappeared up the street. He
looked after her a moment, and thea
turning away with a chuckle, said:
you must have been clean off your
head, partner. And you tried to make
out l was. L wish you'd tell me what
the trouble is. But, anyhow, l know
now you hadn't half my excuse for
wanting to jump into the river"
think so, Ell? How would you like
it if you worked hard for ten years,
and then had to see your things all
sold out-horse and wagon and every
thing-and your wife saying you're
no kind of use"
That's enough" Norton interrupt
ed, ITS only money with you. By the
way, what's your name? McCorkle?
All right, McCorkle. L just want to tell
you that you don't know when you're
well off. Come on, McCorkle; I'm GO
ing to put off that swim with the ice
cakes until tomorrow night. Ugh!
1t surely is good deal more comfort
able with this coat on. Hope l didn't
seriously hurt your arms just now"
The two late combatants began to
plod together through the snow in the
roadway. NOW, see here, McCorkle,
I'm putting off my plunge just for one
thing-just to write a check to your
order. You agree to take that check
and use it? You won't? All right,
then. Good night" He turned back
and began to unbutton his coat again.
McCorkle was really doubtful about
the suicidal intention of this top-hat-
ted man who had interfered with his
own impulse in that direction. He
had to acknowledge himself conquered
on this line, too, for the sake of his
own peace of conscience, and having
had sufficient proof of his inability to
save the other man by physical force.
Besides, he longed to be back with
his wife and Connie. So he solemnly
promised to accept the check and con-
scented to show Mort on the little tene-
ment just around the corner on the
avenue that was his home And so
Norton had the good fortune to meet
Mrs. McCorkle.
Norton was young in years, and still
younger in general experience. Much
of his life had been spent on a western
cattle range, in a region where Mrs.
McCorkle's sex was scantily and not
favorably represented Pondering the
situation revealed by Comics sob
bing message, and by the scene at
which he assisted in the McCorkle
home, he began to think that wom-
ans word needs much interpreting and
patient study. And that other person
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