West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-03
S\TtE
GluE4ptK d
By o. HENRY.

fiPN "hu WIS puUnk DUO
clouds with great satisfaction. He had
removed his shoes and donncd II pal,
or blue. faded carpet slippers. with
tho morbid thirst OF the confirmed
daily nows drlnker, ho awkwardly
folded back the pages OF an evening
paper, eagerly gulping down the
strong. black headlines. 20 bo followed
~ q chaser by the milder details OF
tho smaller type.
In an adjoining room II woman was
cooking supper. odors from strong
bacon and boiling cofreo contended
against the cut plug fumes from tho
vespcrtinc pipe.
Outside was ono OF those crowded
streets OF the east sido IN which az
twilight falls Satan sets up his ro.
cruiting office. A mighty host OF chill.
dren danced and ran and played I'm tho
street. Above the playground forever
lowered n great bird. The bird was
known 10 humorlsts as tho stork hut
tho people OF Chrystie street were bet
ter ornithologIsts. They called Il a
vulture.
A little girl OF twelve came up tim
Idly TO the man reading and resting by
tho window and said:
Papa, won't you play n game OF
checkers with me II you aren't too
tiredT
The rcd haired, unshaven, untidy
man sitting shoeless by the window
answered. with n frown:
"Checkersl No; won't Can't n
man who works hard all day havo n
little rest when he comes homo? Why
don't you 40 out ana play with tho
other kids on tho sldewalkT
The woman who was cooking camo
TO the door.
John" she said, 'T don't like for
Lizzie 10 play I'm tho street They
learn too much there that aln't good
for 'em. She's been I'm tho house all
dny long. IL seems that you might
give up a little OF your time TO amuso
her when you como home"
"Let her go out and play like the rest
or 'em II she wnnts TO bo amused !"
said the red haired, unshaven, untidy
man, "and don't bother me-"
You're on" said Kid Mullaly. Eff
ty dollars 10 $50 1 take Annie 10 tho
dance. Put up"
Tho Kids black eyes wero swapping
with the fire OF the baited and chal-
lenged. He drew out his troll" and
slapped five tens upon the bar. The
three or four young fellows who were
thus taken" more slowly produced
their stake.
"And, oh, whatll be done to you'll
be a-plenty," said bettor, with nntici.
patory glee.
That's my lookout" said the Kid
sternly. "Till 'em up all around,
Mike"
After the round Burke, the Kids
sponge, sponge holder. pal, mentor and
grand vizier. drew him out to tho boot
black stand at the saloon corner. where
all the official and important matters
OF the Small Hours Social club were
settled.
"Cut that blond out, KID" was his
advice. "or therell bo trouble. What
do you want to throw down that girl
of yours for7 You'll never find one
that1l freeze 20 you like Liz has. She's
worth hail full OF Annies."
"Pm no Annie ndmirerw said the
Kid, dropping n cigarette ash on his
polished toe and wiping Il off on Tony's
shoulder ''But / want TO teach LIZ n
lesson. She thinks I belong 10 her.
She's been Dragging that / daren't
speak TO another girl. Liz IL all right
I'm some ways. She's drinking little
too much lately. And sho uses Ian.
guago that n lady oughtn't"
You're engaged, amt your asked
Burke.
"sure. Well get married next year,
maybe"
81 saw you make her drink her nrst
glass OF beer" said Burke. 'That was
two years ago, when she used TO come
down TO the corner OF Chrystie bare
headed TO meet you after supper. She
was quiet sort OF n kid then and
couldn't speak without blushing."
shes a little spitfiro sometimes
now" said the Kid. IL hate Jealousy
That's why I'm going 70 tho dance
with Annie. I'll teach her some sense"
swell. you better look little OUT
were Burko's last words. "If liz was
my girl and / was 10 sneak out to a
dance coupled up with mn Annie I'd
want n suit Of chain armor ON under
my gladstone rags, all right"
Through the land OF the stork.vul.
ture wandered LIZ. Her black eyes
searched the passing crowds fferily, but
vaguely. Now and then she hummed
bars OF foolish little songs.
LIS skirt was green SILK. Her
NJ o.
plaid, well Citing and not withou
style. She wore a cluster OF rings oil
huge imitation rubies and n lociet that
banged her knees at tho bottom OF d
silver chain. Her shoes wero run down
over twisted high heels and were
strangers TO polish. Her hat would
scarcely have passed into a -four bar
rel
The family entrance" OF the Blue
Jay cafe received her.
Whisky. Tommy" she said as her
sisters farther uptown murmur,
champagne, James"
"sure. Miss Lizzic' whatT the
chaser beT
"seltzer. And. say, Tommy. has the
Kid been around todayT
why. no. Miss Lizzie, haven't
saw him today"
"Tm lookin' for M" said LIZ after
the chaser had spurted under her nose
ITS got 10 me that he says he'll take
Annie Karlson 20 the dance Lot him.
The pink eyed white rati I'm looklR
for I'm. You know me, Tommy. Two
years mo aud the Kid 'vo.been engaged.
Look nc that ring Fivo hundred he
said II cost. Let him take her 20 the
dance What'n I do7 III cut his
heart out Another whisky, Tommy" /"
II wouldn't listen 10 no such reports,
Miss Lizzie" said the walter smooth.
ly from the narrow onnninc nhore hla