The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1909-12-16
By 0. HENRY.

IL d WluUOW. ne udu JUST lighted
90 a pipe and was putting blue
clouds with great satisfaction. He had
removed his shoes and donned pair
of blue. faded carpet slippers. With
the morbid thirst of the confirmed
daily news drinker, he awkwardly
paper, eagerly gulping down the
strong, black headlines, to be followed
as chaser by the milder details Of
the smaller type.
In an adjoining room a woman was
cooking supper. Odors from strong
bacon and boiling coffee contended
against the cut plug fumes from the
vespertine pipe.
Outside was one Of those crowded
streets Of the east side in which as
twilight falls Satan sets up his re-
cruiting office. 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 to humorists as the stork. But
the people of Chrystie street were bet
ter OrnithOlogists. They called it
vulture.
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 a game Of
checkers with me If you aren't too
tired?"
The red haired, unshaven, untidy
man sitting shoeless by the window
answered, with frown:
Checkers! No; won't. Can't a
man who works hard all day have a
little rest when he comes home? Why
don't you go out and play with the
other kids on the sidewalk?'
The woman who was cooking came
to the door.
"John,' she said, 81 don't like for
Lizzie to play in the street. They
learn too much there that amt good
for 'em. She's been in the house all
day long. 1t seems that you might
give up Il little of your time to amuse
her when you come home"
"Let her go out and play like the rest
of 'em if she wants to be amused
said the red haired, unshaven, untidy
man, land don't bother me-
you're on" said Kid Mullaly. eff
ty dollars to $50 l take Annie to the
dance. Put up"
The Kids black eyes were swapping
with the fire of the baited and chal-
lenged. He drew out his "roll'' and
slapped five tens upon the bar. The
three or four young fellows who were
thus taken" more slowly produced
their stake.
"And. oh, what'll be done to you'll
be a-plenty," said bettor, with antici-
patory glee.
THAT'S my lookout" said the Kid
sternly. Fill 'em up all around,
Mike"
After the round Burke, the Kids
grand vizier. drew him out to the 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, cor therell be trouble What
do you want to throw down that girl
of yours for? You'll never find one
that'll freeze to you like Liz has. She's
worth hall full of Annies"
I'm no Annie admirer!' said the
Kid, dropping a cigarette ash on his
polished toe and wiping it off on Tony's
shoulder. But l want to teach Liz a
lesson. She thinks l belong to her.
She's been Dragging that l daren't
speak to another girl. Liz is all right
in some ways. She's drinking little
too much lately. And she uses Ian
guage that a lady oughtn't."
You're engaged, amt you" asked
Burke.
"Sure. Well get married next year,
maybe"
II saw you make her drink her first
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 a kid then and
couldn't speak without blushing."
"She's little spitfire 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 a little out"
were Burlle's last words. IF Liz was
my girl and l was to sneak out to a
dance coupled up with an Annie I'd
want Il 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 fierily, but
vaguely. Now and then she hummed
bars of foolish little songs.
LIS skirt was green silk. Her
waist was large brown and pink
plaid, we'll fitting and not without
style. She wore a cluster Of rings of
huge imitation rubies and locket that
banged her knees at the bottom Of a
silver chain. Her shoes were run down
I, IcI>