Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-12


mlsery-without seeming to make inglorious re-
treat If she went now while the curtains we're
stiff and the pink geranium blooming in the win
dow the gossips of the street would laugh togeth-
err as they said, "she couldn't stand fer it to see
her Tony happy. Sadie has got the better of her
every way" For ever, in that neighborhood she
would be branded as woman who couldn't face
the music And though she loathed the district
had always loathed it with every fibre of her
healthy body the Irish pride ared up in her at the
thought of being called coward. II only, In some
miraculous way she could force them all, old Moth
err Mitchell, Mrs. Tode and Mrs, Schramm with
their associates to believe, openly to acknowledge
the fact that she did not pine for Tony that to use
her own words she would not have him back
Strung from the small head to the tut av him
wild sparklin gems" then she could take her leave
with dignity. Perhaps, after ali-the Good Sa-
maritan ACT" She paused, both hands filled
with baby garments; to consider the suggestion
but shook her head after an instant and resumed
her counting No, Mrs Schramm would say she
only went to see the red plush sofa, the china
set and the night gown run" with purple ribbon.
"One--two-three--eight checked aprons for
baby. God love the midge' said Molly, softly.
Nothing speaks more eoquently of irresponsible.
healthy. happy childhood than soiled Bingham
apron. Molly's lips twitched as she marked on
one, a huge stain of crimson jelly-pilfered no
doubt--and drew from the Lilliputian pocket of
another two matches broken button and wad
of widowed dough.
two-three-four--" She
paused again Four flights. and girl who had
wronged her tied to bed suffering. Molly
dered who was "tendin" the invalid. All the
men and all children over five, as well as most of,
the able-bodied women had gone to work. Even
the few who, like herself, could bring the work
home, needed to make each moment one of toll.
No one had time to sit beside the bed of Sadie
Volkhommer and listen to her vapid conversation.
Molly caught up nightdress from the floor. 1t
shimmered with the fnenes and whiteness of its
linen threads and had little ornament besides
wreath OF hand-embroidered violets about the
throat, and corresponding band across the bot
tom of the short kimono sleeves. Sadie had never
thing so fine. would probably never see it, or,
If she did. would still admire more her own
embroidery and colored ribbons
Four flight sup and chained surely as If she
were a wild animal in cage! The factory where
Tony worked was half a mile to the south. Sup
pose an accident should happen while all the strong
ones were away! Suppose fire! At this
thought Molly gasped. Monday morning fires we're
not unknown In the East Side Carelessness in
heating irons, makeshift methods of boiling water.
neglected children-these agents had, more than
once, led to tragedy If such thing should be-
fall the street to-day! The thought fastened on
her and would not be shaken off, There was
horror, yet fascination. In vain she told herself
that even though 1t should happen 1t was no busi-
ness of hers. The weeks washing was what
cerned Molly McGhee just then, not revenge at un-
knowing hands.
Not only was the girls leg broken but an unskill-
ed doctor had weighed it down with bandages and
wood. Enough to make a cabbage crate" Mrs.
Schramm had said Only strong man could car
ry such burden down four fights Tony could
never do it, even II he arrived in time Molly
thrust out her right arm and drew up slowly her
clenched and quivering fist. She felt the splendid
muscles slip, over the other like velvet shut
ties under the delicate skin. She laughed for pure
joy of it and said aloud, "Yes-I could do tt
Molly McGhee-but though could. the div-a
bit"
A hoarse cry up from the street. 1t sound
ed like fire. Molly shook her head and smiled
quizzeally as. again she addressed herself. BATS
In me belfry. as Misses schramm would say!''
Again the cry came-twice repeated. Help
omebody-Fire-Firei" This time there was
no mistake. For fraction of an instant Molly
stood paralyzed with superstitious fear. If nre
rose, 1t her own wicked imagination that kin
died it. She went down the stairs like light and
fell over Mother Mitchell who was crawling out
What is it?-wheres fire-ye dam foos--can mo-
body tell nothin'!"
Molly tore her skirts from the old crone's de-
tanning grasp and ran into the street.
Tailor Tode was emerging looking more than
ever like an earth-spder. Heads were thrust from
windows, and then as If at a signal the tenements
began to empty themselves into the street.
woman and two children darted out as II pur-
sued, from the tall house opposite. Molly clutched
her arm. us the fire in there?" she asked.
''Yes-yes-the whole back is ablaze Old man
Josky must "a lef' his lamp agin!"
Mrs. Tode bore down like dolphin in school
of minnows, Mrs Schyamm playing the usual role
Of swordhsh at her side Sadie volkhommer is
up top there, Who's going after herr" the latter
shrilled.
groan ran through the street No volunteers
came forward but all eyes turned upward Just in
time to see. thrust from fourth story window. a
tousled yellow head and face green with agony.
AS they stared. stricken with the horror Of the
ment maniacs voice screamed down. "You
devils youse--down there--will you leave me to
roast like pigl" She hurled the pink geranium
down upon them, and tore her curtains with the