Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-09
The Ethics Of Mercy@ BY Raymond zee Hartman

as If he were sensitive to the very vibrations of the
impact.
thoroughfare the carriage drew up to the curb
about halfway down, and Waldo Vincent alighteq:
The crooked, tired walls OF tenements were most
denressinC AS he ascended the steps at number
eiahtv-six he was undergoing considerable adjust
ing Ho looked for the bell. There was no bell
only square hole where once hao peen thaC useiul
appliance He pushed at the door. 1t opened
few inches and stuck He wormed himself through
the slit. ,,,4 ,u,
+.ted Odors-the steam of wash-tubs, boiling
cabbage irving meat-conficted among themselves
and collectively assailed his nose. Above, child
suuea led followed by gruf bass An unseen
door opened: light streaked down, revealing the
stairs the door slammed. Waldo Vincent groped
up the narrow rckety flight. Two flights up MISS
Creighton had told him. He rubbed along wall
still adjusting himself Again he CROPPED upward
thin line Of light abruptly revealed a door
His knock was answered by Mrs. O'Rourke in
with an aninosity evidently intended for the rent
man waldo Vincent deftly handed the lady his
card She took the bit Of pasteboard in a wet, red
hand, but still appeared unenlightened ~
I'm from Miss Creighton " he explained She
has been indisposed for the las week.
"oh, yis. God bless the lady! Maggie git out
iv that chair"
Maggie was swept from that useful piece of
furniture, and the greasy seat given wipe with
Mrs. ORourlke's skirt
"Sit down." said she affably.
Waldo Vincent balanced himself fastidiously
the edge. Mrs. O'Rourke returned to her tubs.
Maggie stood one side and bashfully regarded the
visitor; the baby, three years old, who, upon
chair, sozzling in the sink, ceased that edfying
pastime, and turned blueeyed stare upon him;
Katy cutting loaf of bread at the table, stole in
quisitive, wistfu gances at him between the slices
Waldo Vincent drew the notebook from his pocket
and began the benevolent catechism, taking the
replies verbatim.
How is your supply of coal? "There is but
couple iv hods left
Do you need any groceries? 'I do"
Has uniercOthing?
has not.
Has Tommy any rubbers? "He has; but he
wants pair of rubber-boots
Is Michael working vet? 'He is not, and
will be until the union declares the strike off,
Has the baby got over his cough? "He has. He
wants another bottle of infant food"
Have you enough to pay the rent? 81 have not"
Is Katy going to school? "She is not. I need
her t. home"
Remarks Mrs. O'Rourke is in pressing need
of hosiery. Size obviously not ascertained.
As he finished the door shouldered open
and the lord of the household swung into the
Kitchen
"Hello". Mike called genially, with an air that
included everybody.
Mrs o'Rourke's attitude as she scrubbed with
response, was one of displeasure.
Mike appropriated the babys chair and drawing
himself to the table reached for piece of bread.
Keyt poured him tea in nicked cup.
Waldo Vincent, detecting some infelicity between
Milford and milady, rather hurriedly. But
he was detained by exutant pounding of his
heart which, fguratively, lifted him off his feet.
In the figure which sat at the table he recognized
the antagonist of half an hour before in front Of
Hausmans bar-room. The jacket buttoned tightly
over a chest which bulged with the iron-hooped
stoutneSs of a beer-keg; the thick muscular neck
revealed by gaping, tieless shirt; the hard fist
like mallet with red, twnkling hairs on it-these
marks were unmistakabe. Opportunity was sing
ing to- Waldo Vincent ferocious, primitive song
in queer alien rhythm. This was the first sweep
of savage passion that had convulsed his placid
soul. 1t delight nearly cracked
the glaze of civilization
81 shall inform Miss Creighton of your needs"
he told Mrs O'Rourke
God bless'-scrub scrub-"the lady!"
Waldo Vincent was still lingering. With a
stifening of purpose he approached Mike
Are you the gentleman" he asked, in tenta-
tive low voice, whom 1 saw-er-er-hghting
about half-hour ago."
Mike good-naturedly scrutnized the dapper par
tice of society who had addressed him.
"Toightin?" he grinned; that want no foight
Oi only poked him twicet an he fill down. He
He called me scab. I couldn't stand fr it,
MAY have few minutes private conversation
with you? think it might be to your advantage"
Sure" said Mike amably; "but got to eat me
supper now I'll see yer at Charlie Hausmans
sloon in fifteen minutes"
THAT is very satisfactory arrangement Good
day, Mrs. O'Rourke."
Waldo Vincent CROPPED his way down to the
street.
From the ORoukes he was driven to the nearest
drugstore, Wnere ne uangled on the telephone
and called up Hunt PEBBLES stable. The in
formation obtained over the line seemed to please
him greatly
Fifteen minutes later Waldo Vincent entered
Hausmans bar-room. Mike finished his glass of
ale in gulp, detached himself from the line eff
forms draped along the bar, who were trying to
render themselves impervious to the inclement
weather, and jerked thumb towards the back
room. Waldo Vincent followed.
The back-room portion of atmosphere per-
meated with the odor of soured beer and stale to-
bacco smoke. and enclosed by four walls decorated
with prints on pink paper cut from sporting peri
odical. Detected cigar-stubs clustered around the
usual cuspldor
"How like many people," observed Waldo Vim
cent to himself. "They have missed their mark.
All. quite neat thought"
Mike had dropped into chair at a table, and
tnlrin MIA ta nIltli