Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-19

Not quite mile above the northern most of the factories on the water front there projected into the river near the end of the crescent bend above the town long pier. relic of steamboat days, rotting now and many years fallen from its maritime uses. About midway of it's length stood huge, crazy shed, long ago utilized as a freight storeroom. This had been patched and propped. and dangerous looking veranda attached to it. over hanging the water. Above the door way was placed sign whereon might be read the words, "Rcaver Beach, Mikes Place." The shore end of the pier was so ruinous that passage was offered by a single row of blanks. which presented an appearance so tenn porary as well as insecure that one might have guessed their office to be something iI the nature of q draw bridge. From these narrow path ran through a marsh left by the receding river to country road of des0late ap- pearance. Here there was rough in closure or corral, with some tumble down sheds which afforded shelter on the night of Joseph Louden's disgrace for number of shaggy teams attached to those decrepit and musty vehicles known picturesquely and accurately as night hawks.
 By o'clock joy at Mikes place had become beyond question unconfned. aud the tokens of 1t were audible for a long distance in all directions. If, however, there Is no sound where no ear hears, silence rested upon the coun- tryside until an hour later. Then q lonely figure came shiyering from the direction of the town not by the road, but sinking through the snow upon the frozen river. It came slowly. as though very tired, and cautiously, too, often turning it's head to look behind. Final ly it reached the pier and stopped as if to listen.
 Within the house above piano of evil life was being beaten to death for its sins and clamoring it's last cries horribly. The old shed rattled in every part with the thud of many heavy feet and trembled with the shock of noise, an incessant roar of mems voices, pune tuated with women's screams. Then the riot quieted somewhat. There was clapping of hands. and violin be- gan to squeak measures intended to be oriental. The next moment the listener scrambled up one of the rotting piles and stood upon the veranda. A shaft of red light through a broken shutter struck across the figure above the shoulders, revealing bloody handker- chief clumsily knotted about the head and beneath 1t the face of Joe Louden
 Joe opened the door and went in. All of the merry company (who were able) turned sharply toward the door as 1t opened. One or two nearest the door asked the boy, without great curiosity, what had happened to his head. He merely shook 1t faintly in reply and crossed the room to an open hallway beyond. At the end of this he came to frowzy bedroom, the door of which stood ajar. Seated at a deal table and working by dim lamp with broken chimney, a close cropped. red bearded, red haired man in his shirt sleeves was jabbing gloomily at column of figures scrawled in dirty ledger. He looked up as Joe appeared in the doorway. and his eyes showed slight surprise.
 q never thought ye had the temper to git somebody to split yer head" said he. "Where'd ye collect it?"
 He unwound the handkerchief and removed it from Joe's head gently. "wheev he cried as long gash was exposed over the forehead. 'T hope ye left a mark somewhere to pay a little on the score O this!'
 Joe chuckled and dropped dizzily back upon the pillow. "There was an- other who got something like it." he gasped feebly, land. oh. Mike, wish you could have heard him going on! Perhaps you did. It was only three miles from here"
 "Nothing I'd liked better!" said the other, bringing basin of clear water from a stand in the corner. Its a beautiful thing to hear a man holler when he gifts grand one like we're wearing tonight"
 He bathed the wound gently and, hurrying from the room. returned im- mediately with a small jug of vinegar. Wetting a rag with this tender fluid, he applied it to Joe's head, speaking sooth- ingly the while.
 Nothing in the world like a bit O good cider vinegar to keep of the fes- terin'. It may seem trihe scratchy fer the moment. but 1t assassinates the blood p'ison. There ye go! It's the flne thing fer ye, Joe. What are ye squirm- in aboutT
 ''I'm only enjoying t." the boy an- swered. writhing as the vinegar work ed into the gash. Don't you mind my laughing to myself"
 We're good one. Joe" said the other. continuing his ministrations. T wisht. after all. ye felt like nakin' me known to what's the trouble. There's some of us would be glad to take 1t up 1 fer ye. and"-
 "No. ns: tss all right. I was some T tn. AA