Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-18

Behold key as he amDleS up tne
street beneath the roaring "L," be-
tween the rows Of reeking sweatshOps.
Pallid, STOPPING, insignificant, squalid,
doomed to exist forever in penury Of
body and mind, yet as he swings his
cheap cane and projects the noisome
inhalations from his cigarette you per-
ceiye that he nurtures In his narrow
bosom the bacillus Of society.
keys legs carried him to and into
that famous place Of entertainment
known as the Cafe Maginnis-famous
because 1t was the rendezvous Of Billy
McAlahan, the greatest man. the most
wonderful man, Ikey thought, that the
world had ever produced.
Billy McMahan was the district lead
er. Upon him the tiger purred. and
his hand held mamma to scatter. Now.
as Ikey entered McMahan stood, flush
ed and triumphant and mighty, the CEN
ter Of huZZaing concourse OF his lieu
tenants and constituents. 1t seems
there had been an election. A signal
victory had been won. The city had
been swept back into line by resist
less bosom Of ballots.
Ikey skunk along the bar and gazed,
breath quickened, at his idol.
How magnificent was Billy McMa-
han, with his great, smooth, laughing
face; his gray eye, shrewd as
chicken hawks; his diamond ring, his
voice like bugle call. his princes air.
his plump and active roll or money,
his clarion call to friend and comrade-
oh, what a king of men he was! How
he obscured his leutenants, though
they themselves loomed large and Sc.
rious, blue Of chin and important Of
mien, with hands buried deep In the
pockets of their short overcoats! But
Billy-oh, what small avail are words
to paint for you his glory as seen by
Ikey Snigglefritz!
The Cafe Maginnis rang to the note
of victory. The white coated bar
tenders threw themselves featfully
upon bottle, cork and glass. From a
score of clear Havanas the air received
Its paradox of clouds. The leal and
the hopeful shook Billy McMahan's
hand. And there was born suddenly
n the worshipful soul Of Ikey Sniggle-
fritz an audacious, thrilling impulse.
He stepped forward into the little
cleared space In which majesty moved
and held out his hand.
Billy McMahan grasped 1t unhesitat.
tngly, shook it and smiled.
Made mad now by the gods who
were about to destroy him. Ikey threw
away his scabbard and charged upon
Olympus. -.
"Have drink with me, Billy"
he said familiarly "yOu and your
friends"
Don't mind IL do, old man," said
the great leader. "just to keep the ball
rolling"
The last spark Of keys reason fled.
"Wine," he called to the bartender.
waving n trembling hand.
The corks Of three bottles were
drawn; the champagne dubbed In the
long row of glasses set upon the bar
Billy McAIahan took his and nodded.
with his beaming smile, ut lkey. The
lieutenants and satellites took theirs
and growled Here's to your lkey
| took his nectar in dellrium. All drank.
key threw his weeks wages In
crumpled roll upon the bar.
/ Il ha horfonIar Sm00fh-
ing the twelve one-dollar notes. The
crowd surged around Billy McMahan
again. Some one was telling how
Brannigan fixed 'em over In the Elev'
enth. Ikey leaned against the bar
awhile and then went out.
He went down Hester street and W
| Chrystie and down Delaney to where
he lived. And there his women folk. Il
bibulous mother and three dingy sis
ters, pounced upon him for his wages
| And at his confession they shreketl
and objurgated him in the pithy rhet
oric Of the locality.
But even as they plucked ut him and
struck him Ikey remained In his &C.
static trance of joy. His head was III
the clouds; the star was drawing dis
wagon. Compared with what he had
achieved the loss Of wages and the
bray of women's tongues were slight
affairs.
He had shaken the hand Of Billy Nc
Mahan.
Billy McMahan had wife. and upor
her visiting cards was engraved the
name "Mrs. William Darragh McMa
ham," And there was certain vexa
ton attendant upon these cards, for
small as they were, there were houses
in which they could not be inserted
Billy McMahan was a dictator In pol
itics, q four walled tower In business
] q mogul dreaded. loved and obeyed