Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1909-09-10
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\TTIE
GUTHFRtRB
BY o. HENRY.

49, pipe ana was puu1ug DIuo
clouds with great satisfaction. lie had
removed hls shoes and donned q pair
Of blue. faded carpet slippers. With
the morbid thirst Of the confirmed
daily news drinker. he awkwardly
folded back the pages Of an evening
paper. eagerly guiping down the
strong. bInck headlines. to be followed
as chaser by the milder details Of
the smaller type.
In mn adjoining room n woman was
cooking supper. doors from strong
bacon md boiling coffee contended
against the cut plug fumes from the
vespertine pipe.
Outside was ono of those crowded
streets OF the east side in which az
twilight falls Satan sets up his re-
cruiting ONCE. A mighty host of chill
dren danced and ran and played In the
street. Above the playground forever
lowered a great bird. The bird was
known 20 humorists as tina stork. Hut
the people OF Chrystie street were bet.
tee ornithologists. They called II
vuiture.
A little girl OF twelve came up tim
idly TO the man reading and resting by
the window and said.
papa. won't you play game OF
checkers with me II you aren't too
tiredf'
The red haired. unshaven. untidy
man sitting shoeicss by the window
answered. with frowns
"Checkersi No: I won't. Can't o
man who works hard all day have n
little rest when he comes home7 Why
don't you go out ana play with the
other kids on the sldewalkT
The woman who was cooking came
90 the door.
'John." she said. II don't like for
Lizzie 20 play In the street They
learn too much there that aln't good
for 'em. Shea been IN the house all
day long. II seems that you might
give up a little Of your time TO amuse
her when you come home"
let her 70 out ana play like the rest
of 'em II she wants 10 DO amused"
said the red haired. unshavcn. untidy
man. ennd don't bother me-"
you're on" said KID Mulialy. "Fif.
~ dollars TO s25 take Annie to tho
dance. Put up"
The Kids black eyes were swapping
with the are Of the baited and chai.
lenged. lie drew out bis 'sroll' and
slapped ave tens upon the bar. The
three or four young fellows who were
thus ''taken" more slowly produced
their stake.
"And. oh. whatn be done TO you'll
be a-plenty." said a bettor. with antici.
patory giee.
That's my lookout" said the Kid
sternly. 'Fili 'em up all around.
Mike"
After the round Burke. tho Kids
sponge. sponge holder. pal, mentor and
grand vizier. drew him out TO the boot
black stand at the saloon corner. where
all the oficiai and important matters
OF the Small Hours Social club were
settled.
''Cut that blond out. Kid" was his
advice. ''or there'll DO trouble. what
do you want to throw down that girl
Of yours fort You'll never fnd one
that'il freere 60 you like Lin has. she's
worth a han full OF Annies."
I'm no Annie admirerr' said the
Kid, dropping cigarette ash on his
polished toe and wlping Il or on Tony's
shoulder. "Rut want 20 teach Lin a
lesson. she thinks belong TO her.
She's been Dragging that | darent
speak 10 another girl Liz Is all right
In some ways. she's drinking little
too much lately. And she uses Ian
guage that lady oughtn't"
You're engaged. amt your asked
Burke.
"sure. Wen set married next year.
maybe"
II saw you make her drink her nrst
glass Of beer" said Burke. THAT was
two years ago. when she used 20 como
down 20 the corner OF Chrystie bare
headed TO meet you after supper, she
was a quiet sort OF kid then aud
couldn't speak without blushlng."
shes little spitfre sometimes
now" said the KID. II hate jealousy.
That's why I'm going TO the dance
with Annie. I'll teach her some sense"
well. you better look little out"
were Burke's last words. "If Lila was
my girl and I was 70 sneak out 20 n
dance coupled up with an Annie I'd
want a suit OF chain armor on under
my gladstone rags, all right"
Through the land OF the stork-vul. |
ture wandered Lila Her black eyes
searched the passing crowds derby. but
vaguely. Now ana then she hummed
bars OF foolish little songs.
LAS skirt was green sink Her
waist was large brown and pink
plaid, well Citing aud not without