Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-01-30
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By o. HENRY.

HARLEM.
 IAl Mrs. Fink has dropped into HI Mrs. Cassldy's fiat. one flight l below.
 "Ain't it beauty" said Mrs. Cassidy. She turned her face proudly for her friend Mrs. Fink to see. One eye was nearly closed, with a great greenish purple bruise around it. Her lip wss cut and bleeding 6 little. and there were red finger marks on each side of her neck.
 My husband wouldn't ever think of doing that to me-" said Mrs. Fink, con cealing her envy.
 "I wouldn't have a man." declared Mrs. Cassidy. 'that didn't beat me up at least once week. Shows he thinks something of you. Say, but that last dose Jack gave me wasn't no homeo- pathic one! can see stars yet. But he'll be the sweetest man in town for the rest of the week to make up for 1t This eye is good for theater tickets and a silk shirt waist at the very least. q should hope" said Mrs. Fink, as- suming complacency. that MT. Fink is too much of a gentleman ever to raise his hand against me" "Oh, go on. Magglev said Mrs Gas sidy. laughing and applying witch hazel You're only jealous. Your old man is too trapped and slow to ever give you a punch. He just sits down and practices physical culture with newspaper when he comes home. Now ain't that the truthr'
 "Mr. Fink certainly peruses or the papers when he comes home. acknowi edged Mrs. Fink. with a toss of her | head. but he certainly don't evei make no Steve O'Donnell out of m, \ iust to amuse himself-thats sure ! thing" l Mrs. Cassidy laughed the contented laugh of the guarded and happy ma tron. With the air of Cornelia exhib Il iting her jewels she drew down the collar of her kimono and revealed an Fl other treasured bruise. maroon color ed, edged with olive and orange, bruise now nearly well. but still t' memory dear.
 II Mrs. Fink capitulated. The forma light in her eye softened to enviou' admiration She and Mrs. Cassidy ha( been chums in the downtown paper bo: factory before they had married, on year before. Now she and her mai occupied the flat above Name and be man. Therefore she could not put oI airs with Name.
 "Don't it hurt when he soaks your 2I asked Mrs Fink cautiously. H "Hurtv Mrs. Cassidy gave a SC | prano scream of delight. Well, say did you ever have brick house fal on you? We'll, that's just the way feels-just like when they're diggtn you out of the ruins. Jacks got a lef that spells two matinees and ne' pair of Oxfords-and his right! Vel 1t takes trip to Coney and six pair of openwork. silk lisle threads to mak that good"
 But what does he beat you forl inquired Mrs. Fink. with wide ope eyes.
 "Sillyr' said Mrs. Cassidy indulgen iy. "Why, because he's full. It's gel orally on Saturday nights"
 But what cause do you give him persisted the seeker after knowledge
 "why, didn't I marry him? Jac comes in tanked up, and I'm here. ain I? Who else has he got right
 beat? I'd just like to catch him ono
 beating anybody else. Sometimes 1t
 because supper ain't ready. and som
 times it's because 1t is. Jack ain
 particular about causes. He ju & lushes till he remembers he's marrie'
 and then he makes for home and do'
 me up. Saturday nights l just mo' ! the furniture with sharp corners o'
 of the way. so l won't cut my hes when he gets his work in. He's got
 left swing that jars you. Sometimes
 take the count in the first round. b' T when I feel like having good tin
 during the week or want some ne
 rags I come up again for more pu
 ishment. That's what done la night. Jack knows I've been wantii black silk waist for month, and
 didn't think just one black eye wou
 bring 1t. Tell you what. Mag. I'll b
 you the ice cream he brings it
 night"
 Mrs. Fink was thinking deeply 1T My Mart" she said. never hit
 a lick in his life It's just like y
 said. Name; he comes in grouchy a
 ain't got word to say. He nes
 .akes me out anywhere. He's a ch
 warmer at home for fair. He buys
 things, but he looks 20 glum about
 that I never appreciate 'em."
 Mrs. Cassidy slipped an arm arou
 her chum
 "You poor thing!' she said. But
 erybody can't have husband I
 Jack. Marriage wouldn't be no faill
 if they was all like him. These (
 contented wives you bear about-wl
 they need is man to come home q
 kick their slats in once week g
 then make 1t up in kisses and chocoi
 creams. That'd give 'em some inter
 in life. What want Is master
 man that slugs you when he's jazz
 ood nuco you xuhan ho ain't tagp