The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-02-18

THEY YELLED.
and ma, they calls her Miss Murtha,
but the gang calls her Salvation Ar
my"
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. l stopped on my way
and told him to come around. I'll
heat some broth for Jimmy and do ev-
erything 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 of
flce," she added as she saw the rosy
checked lad gaping at her.
The sleigh and its two occupants
started to turn around. The recruits
had all returned by this time and, see-
ing one of their leaders about to de-
sert them, joined forces against him.
With one accord they rushed to the
piles of hard snowballs.
"Sock it to him! Right on the CO.
coaY' they yelled.
The orders were carried out to T.
OF course some Of the balls hit the
dignifed Elston, but he tickled the
horse with his whip, and they spun
around the corner before much dam
age was done. They were gone only
a few minutes, as DR.. Cosgrove lived
within a few blocks of High street.
The time was spent In renewing am
munition. however. by the boys who
were left In the street.
Elston returned with the doctor, and
Michael snugly tucked between them.
Suddenly a well aimed shot struck the
little fellow in the left eye. With a
scream he turned, but too late. The
blood poured down his cheek as the
6octor picked him up in his arms and
carried him into the house, where Miss
Murtha 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.
.sWho hit Michael? want to know
at once. You ought to be ashamed of
yourselves when you know his little
brother is so sick. Who did it, sayy
Had they been lined up for military
orders they could not have replied
with more even accord. Twenty voices
answered:
81 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 'em." said one clever
youth.
No one ever knew where the front
gate that belonged to the Quinns'
fence disappeared, and it was COM
ment among the neighbors that Mrs.
Mulqueen's kitchen shutters were stol-
en- that same day. but the snowbalIs
were duly melted, and the gangs saun-
tered 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 Jimmy's bed, while
Miss Murtha was holding piece Of
ice on Michaeps cut.
'fDoes it hurt much now, MichaelT
asked Miss Murtha as she bathed the
wound, which proved to be not very
deep and Of no consequence.
"'Tain't nothin', Salvation" said the
child. His eyes sparkled as he contin-
ued: Gee, but that was swell ride I
had In the sleigh, just like real gen
tleman. 1t was worth q biz in de eye.