Middletown transcript., 1903-04-25


was to be exclusive, in her hands.
She must be silent until sum-
moned. No other course re-
mained.
Tell me all the story, command
ed the Mayor. On honor, you
know.
Sure. Things kept going from
bad to worse. Whene'er / got
out of all patience with Tim, the
mothers heart pleaded for her
boy. Don't be too hard on him,
father, she would beg; he will
surely find something ere long,
and then he will do his share by
the children and US. Then thispo-
lice benefit concert was gotten
up, and thinks I to myself, that
will help pull ME out of the hole.
I worked like a mailer, y'r Honor;
sold close to two hundred tick.
cts myself.
Yes, I know you did, Sullivan.
No man on the force should
have had the handling of funds.
I don't know why I ever consent
ed. 1t was a dollar here, and a
dollar here, and a dollar there,
and the accounting to come, when
/ knew l could make it all good.
A brief pause, then with al
most sob in his deep voice the
narrator continued. And I could
have done it, too. Only there
was the lump sum the two hun
dred and fifty net profits. Inever
would have believed I was capa-
BILE of touching that. Why, when
I was a lad I used to say, if 1
were going to be a thief it would
not be for any pittance, I'd make
a big haul while I was about it. 1t
was last week Tuesday, aoas the
concert. That same day a sixth
unfortunate came to our home;
not but there a0as nourishment
for her small needs, but Betsy
there aoas the rub. l seemed
to- feel from the first how it'd
be a0ith her.
His voice sank low.
They weren't bad girls, your
Honor; indeed they were not.
The four of them lad gone there
for a little supper, and there were
drinks, too. Daugherty had pro-
missed to foot the bill-which does
not in the least excuse Tim. The
stuff went to the girls heads, not
being used to it, and up one of
them goes and smashes her glass
right through a plate glass mir
ror. I happened to be passing.
It's a bad nights work, Tim, /
said. He was sober enough now.
Father, it's trouble in plenty
I've been to you, but I never
meant to come to this. 1t will
kill mother.
Mother-the word struckhome
Daugherty had been talking with
the cashier.
It's worth just five hundred,
and I've put up my half, he said,
gruffy. Tim can do the same or
take his medicine.
Again a pause, longer; silence
profound.
That's where the money went.
I bought him off. Not even that
could save his mothers life, but
she died in his arms, before an
other sundown, and she didn't
know. Ican't replace the money
your Honor. And l can't say
I'm sorry. The elittle woman died
content, while if she had called
in vain for Tim, my heart would
have broke. And it's made a |
man of Tim. Well take the pun
ishment, father, says he, as best
we can; and then you shall see
how Tim will help you to make
a home for the children.
The children? he sobbed aloud.
They can go to the Home for the
Friendless, I reckon, until Tim
and me can start over again.
When a mother is taken, her
babies are pretty near to friend
less, amt they? Here's my star.
The city clerk looked steadily
at Miss Waldron when, half
hour later, she emerged at his
call from her place of conceal
ment.
There was suspicious redness
about her eyelids.
Didn't catch cold, I hope, in
that hole? he questioned.
Oh no, she returned, pleas
antly. Only I thought you had
forgotten me. 1t was a bit
Chilly. What kept them so un-
Earthly long?
Taking the record of the coun-
Gil meeting this morning. A lot
of bills were allowed, and sew
eral new matters brought up.