Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1907-12-12
ON VA JAH-BRD
BY RAY BELLEyILLE BlOTN
(Copyright.)


Molly was maid-of all-work, nurse,
plain seamstress, butler, laundress
and general factotum In the family Of
James B. Revell. or, as it was written
on her mistress cards, J. Barnett
Revell. Ter position was not sine
cure, for in each Of her Offices the
best work was expected of her, few
liberties were given her, and her week
ly stipend was no greater than that
given in houses where the same work
was divided among three or four. But
Molly was an orphan, unsophisticated
and easily imposed upon, and, besides,
a livid red mark lay across her right
cheek, rendering her selfconscious
and willing to hide herself anywhere.
When she looked in her mirror she
did not See that her eyes were pleas
ant blue, that her lips were full and
rosy, that her light brown hair waved
prettily back from a broad forehead
che only saw the angry looking brand
burning on her cheek, and felt that
she could not bear strange eyes.
When Molly sat at her kitchen
window. she saw, across the neat
back yard and high board fence,
sandwiched between great corn-crib
and blacksmith shop, the brick walls
of the city jail-called the Gala
boose" by the youngsters about town.
u was a grim one-story affair. with
barred windows, and had been an eye
fr MnlI CT CHI G w
It. Sometimes its prisoners were
hilarious, and their shouts and ribald
songs made her shudder, often It was
empty, for Veneering was a staid,
sober town.
Tonight she paused between the
verses of a song. The policeman
on his beat was coming down the al
ley with a prisoner. their volces COM
ing clearly to her across the fence.
He was a new man, therefore very
jealous.
f.; 'Yes! Yes!" he was saying deris-
lively. "They all play that gag on
lme. guess the sunstroke we got
was over a counter and out Of a
glass"
''But--but, listen to me. officer"
said the man thfckly, as he staggered
along with The policeman's help. II
haven't touched a drop It's the heat
Il was overcome in the harvest field
last month, and this is the first time
I've been out"
Yes, anil be your last time till
you've paid your tine." put in the po-
iiceman-
''But it's true. say" stammered
the man, land you mustn't lock me
up. I'm sober-Fm sick. This Is a
false charge"
AS he pleaded they reached the jail
and. unlocking the door, the officer,
with q, derisiye laugh. pushed the man
into the inner darkness and slammed
the, door on him. Molly straining her
ears; heard him call once or twice
then all was still. Her song stopped
and her ready sympathy went out to
the poor man across the alley Not
for a moment did she doubt his story
though his thick husky voice and un.
certain. walk were against him, and
an unusual anger burned within her
She hurried into the parlor where
Mrs. Revell sat in imposing leisure.
ooh, Mrs. Revell-ma'am! The DO
iiceman has Just brought poor sick
man up the alley and locked him UP
for drunk, for all the man told him
he was only sick from sunstroke
Won't You have Mr.. Revell go and see
about It,"
The mistress stared In petrified sur
prise, not comprehending the meaning
'of Molly's Request. Then she laugh
ed an unpleasant contemptuous
laugh.
Fancy" she said In a tone thai
made the girl shrink. $50 you want
Mr.. Revell to espouse the cause of q
sot arrested on the street. Just be
CAUSE you heard the creature protes,
that he was not drunk You've done
a good many foolish things, Molly, bu,
this is the worst yet. Go back tt
your place and don't worry about your
jaiibird. He'll be sick enough by
morning, anyway"
Molly crept back to her kitchen
abashed but not convinced. and ga,
in silence by the window for an hour
longer. The evening was still and
very hot, She knew that the only
ventilation afforded in the pris On
er's room was from a single
slit-like window. At last she could
stand It no longer. and taking
a pitcher of cold water and a small
tin cup. stole out of the gate anc
across to the building opposite.
She peered through the bars, bu
the interior was In the blacklist drak
ness. The man was breathing heav
lily, grooming with nearly every
breath. She shook the bars gent,
once or twice to attract his attention
and spoke softly:
Say, mister-listen!"
Finally she heard a motion. and il
a moment the man answered we. tly,
What is it?'
IT'S so hot that I've brought {
pitcher of water. Don't you want :
drink"
Yes, yes" he answered thickly anf
eagerly. 'If you can wait till pull
myself up"
After some struggling the man stood
at the window. The light from across
the opposite street cast a faint glow
on the wall and window. and she
could see that his face was fairly Iiyid
and bis eyes bright and staring. The
cup would not so through the bars
until she had bent its rim. he watch.
Ing her eagerly. He emptied it thirst.
ily twice
You mustn't have any more" she
said UarRfr sIx- aII,r1 A., 1Y.st