The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-13
THE EVENING STORY
An Army in One.
lBy Ludlum Lee.l


The snow had been falling for
hours. The air was heavy with damp
ness and the streets were crowded
with children glad of the storm, as II
offered them the coveted opportunity
to use the sleds which Santa Claus
had slipped down the chimney on
Christmas morning. And at last here
was the snow they had prayed for!
In the middle Of High street a
SNOWFALL fight was in progress A
motley crowd of youngsters had mace
hundreds of snowballs, and they were
ranged on both sides of the street In
gangs The recruits were lined up
ready for action, when sleigh turn
ed the corner.
Cheese it. fellers." came from the
leader of one side. Here comes the
Salvation army.
BEAT it, beat it, screamed the
IeatIer of the opposing forces, and in
rank disorder both sections disap-
peared around the corner and in
doorways.
A passerby might have looked in
vain for the sight of the Salvation
army. The sleigh drove up in front
of little cottage in the row and a
young girl, muffled in furs, got out.
and went into the tumbled down
home.
Members of the gang began to
reappear, and one particularly brave
boy STEPPED up and patted the horse.
I'VE wus just gettin' ready for
the army to go home,' he said to the
driver. Couldn't say how long that'll
be, could your" he continued.
IT didn't see any army" said the
driver, smiling at the lad.
"Ah, go on" said the youngster.
That's what we calls her-Mfss
Murtha. We calls her the Salvation
army, cause she's saved moro sick
and dyin round these alleys than
regular army, SO that's our name for
her. Pa and ma, they calls her Miss
Murtha, but the gang calls her Sal
walton army"
Inside the cottage, Miss Murtha had
laid aside her coat and was minister
ing to a sick child. Her furs were
thrown carelessly over a kitchen chair
and she drew up another by the side
Of the bed.
Now, Mrs. Quinn, go and take lit
tie rest. I'll sit with Jimmy until the
doctor comes. I stopped on my way
and told him to come around. I'll heat
some broth for Jimmy and do every
thing that is necessary"
The weary mother went to an adj
joining room without any protest.
Miss Murtha heated the broth and
stared anxiously at the little fellow.
She walked to and fro watching the
window in hopes of seeing the doctor,
but he failed to appear. Going to the
door, she-called to her driver, who
was still in deep conversation with the
boy.
"Elston. you'd better drive around to
the doctors and bring him back with
you. Tell him he must hurry. Take
Michael along with you to hold the
horse while you go into the office" she
added, as she saw the rosy-cheeked lad
gaping at her.
The sleigh and it's two occupants
rto cd 70 tr,rv he G
had all returned by this time. and see
ing one Of their leaders about to desert
them, Joined forces against him. With
one accord they rushed to the piles of
hard snowballs.
Sock 1t to him! Right on the CO.
coal" they yelled.
The orders were carried out to a T.
OF course. some of the balls hit the dig
nified Elston, but he tickled the horse
with his whip and they spun around
the corner before much damage was
done. They were gone only a few min
utes, as DR.. Cosgrove lived within
few blocks of High street. The time
was spent in renewing ammunition,
however, by the boys who were left in
the street.
Elston returned with the doctor and
Michael snugly tucked between them.
Suddenly well-aimed shot struck the
little fellow in the left eye. With
scream he turned, but too late. The
blood poured down his cheek as the |
doctor picked him up in his arms and
carried him into the house where Miss |
was waiting for him. She met |
them at the door in time to have seen |,
the accident. Stepping out in the yard, |
she called the boys to her.
who hit Michael? I want to know |
at once. You ought to be ashamed of |
yourselves when you know his little |
brother is so sick. Who did 1t. I say?"
Had they been lined up for military |
ordors thau could not have ren1fe6 with
more even accord. Twenty voices an
swered:
"I done it,"
Surely, there is honor on High street,
If money is scarce!
Miss Murtha proceeded to lecture
them and assured them that she would |
be out again in a few moments, and |
wanted every one Of those snowballs
to have disappeared by that time The
boys stood in a group discussing how
best to get rid OF them, as they were
frozen like ice.
81 tell you what, fellers, let's start
a fire and melt EN-" said one clever
youth.
gate that belonged to the Quinns' fence
and it was comment
among the neighbors that Mrs. Null
1ueen's kitchen shutters were stolen
July melted and the gangs sauntered
toward Smiths hill for a few coasts
with their new sledS.
Inside the cottage DR.. Cosgrove and
Miss Murtha had barely spoken. The
DOCTOR was beside Jimmys bed, while
Miss Murtha was holding a piece of
ce on Michael's cut
Does it hurt much now, Michael ?"
asked Miss Murtha., as she bathed the
wound, which proved to be not very
ieep and of no consequence.
"'Tain't nothin'. Salvation said
he child. His eyes sparkled as he
"Gee, but that was a swell
.ide I had in the sleigh-just like ~
zeal gentleman. 1t was worth a biff
n de eye. I'll do it again if get the
chanct."
kitty, take him out of the room"
said the doctor softly. And maybe
yo,,,d beffar call Mrs Quinn Tyraxi