Waterbury Democrat., 1903-02-12
John Motiarty, Gen'l Age1


 of the marks of his rough-and- tumble 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 a cold night, and that her black woolen 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.
 ''Ob, papa, she didn't mean imam ma didn't mean for you. to gd 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 merely humorous appre oiation, 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- nie's papa, he spoke up.
 .sYes, 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 ownovercoat to throw over the child when her fa- ther, still sitting in the snow hngging 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.
 s- ssI shall not have time for thats part ner. Why not? Because I'm going to send you home with Connie while go the other way.' He nodded in the dl- rection of the river. T 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 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. Run on home, baby,'' he said, wrapping it tight about her. "Run on now, just as fast as you can, and tell mamma Pm 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 then, turning away with 8 chuckle, said: ssYou must have been clean off your head, partner. And you tried to make out I 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"
 ssThink so, eh? 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. "It's only money with you. By the way, what's your name? McCorkle? All right, McCorkle. just want to tell you that you don't know when you're we'll off. Come on, McCorkle; I'm go- ing to put off that swim with the ice cakes until tomorrow night. Ugh! It surely is good deal more comfort able with this coat on. Hope 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 check to your
 4~ %o1y hoA nho orJ- 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 Mine, too, for the sake of his own peace of conscience, and having had sufficient proof of his ina ability 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- sented to show Norton the little tene- ment just around the corner on the avenue that was his home. And so Norton had the good fortune tG meet Mrs. McCorkle.
 Norton was young in years, and still younger in general experience. Much of his life had been spent on western cattle range, in region where Mrs. McCorkle's sex was scantily and not favorably represented. Pondering the situation revealed by Connie's sob ping 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 was of Mrs. McCorkle's sex, though in unlike circumstances. Upon which Nortou resolved to wait for the inSer- pretation of events.