Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1908-07-18
FROsTBURG, MD, SATURDAY, JULY Is, 1908

Hes the biggest man in New York"
said Andy almost reverenty. lie can
about do anything he wants to with
Tammany or any other old thing in the
political line. He's a mile high and as
broad as the East river. You say any
thing against Big Mike and you'll
have Il million men on your COllarbOne
in about two seconds Why. he made
n visit over to the old country awhile
back and the kings took to their holes
like rabbits.
well, Big Mikes Il friend of mine.
l amt more than deuce high in the
district as far as influence goes, but
Mikes as good friend to Il little man
or a poor man as he is to big one. |
met him today on the Bowery, and
what do you think he does? Comes up
and shakes hands. Andy says he,
I've been keeping cases on you.
You've been putting in some good licks
over on your side of the street. and
I'm proud of you. What'll you take to
drink He takes a cigar, and take
a highball. told him was going to
SAYS he, send me an invitation so III
keep in mind of it, and I'll come to the
wedding' That's what Big Mike says
to me, and he always does what he
says.
"You don't understand it, Maggie,
but I'd have one of my hands cut off
to have Big Mike Sullivan at our we'd
ding. 1t would be the proudeSt day of
my life. When he goes to Il mans
wedding there's a guy being married
that's made for life Now, that's why
I've maybe looking sore tonight"
"Why don't you invite him, then, If
he's so much to the mustard?" said
Maggie lightly.
"There's reason why can't" said
Andy sadly. "Thcrc's Il reason why
he mustn't be there. Don't ask me
what it is, for can't tell you"
"Oh, | don't care" said Maggie.
Its something about politics, of
course. But it's no reason why you
can't smile at me-"
"Maggie," said Andy presently, "do
you think as much of me rs you did of
your-as you did of the Count MAJ
zini?'
He waited long time, but Maggie
did not reply. And then suddenly she
leaned against his shoulder and began
to cry-to cry and shake with sObs,
holding his arm tightly and wctting
the crepe de chine with tears.
There, there, there soothed Andy,
putting aside his own trouble. And
what is it nOw?'
Andy" sobbed Maggie, I've lied to
you, and you'll never marry NE or
love me any more. But | feel that
I've got to tell. Andy, there never was
so much as the little finger of Il count.
| never had Il beau in my life. But all
the other girls had, and they talked
about 'em, and that seemed to make
the fellows like 'em more. And, An
dy, | look swell in black-Iou know
do. SO | went out to Il photograph
store and bought that picture and had
a little one made for my loCkct and
made up all that story about the count
and about his being killed so | could
wear black. And nobody can love a
liar, and you'll shake me, Andy, and
I'll die for shame. Oh, there never
was anybody l liked but you-and
that's ALL"
But instead of being pushed away
she found Andy's arm folding her
closer. She looked up and saw his
face cleared and smiling.
could yOu-could you forgive me.
Andy"
Sure" said Andy. It's all right
about that. Back to the cemetery for
the count You've Strengthened every
thing out, Maggie. | was in hopes
you would before the wedding day
Bully girlr'
"Andy," said Maggie, with Il some
what SHY smile, after she had been
thoroughly assured of forgiveness
did you believe that story about the
count?"
"Well, not to any large extent" said
Andy, reaching for his cigar case,
because it's Big Mike Sullivans pic
ture you've got in that locket Of
yours"