The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-06-24
>THE
GDHFfpARK
BY o. HENRY.


TAI man sat In rocking chair by
hi a window. He had just lighted
S q pipe and was putting blue
clouds with great satisfaction. He had
removed his 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 gulplng down the
strong. black headlines, to be followed
as a chaser by the milder details of
the smaller type.
In an adjoining room woman was
cooking supper. odors from strong
bacon and boiling coffee contended
against the cut plug fumes from the
yespertine 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 great bird. The bird was
known to humorists as the stork. But
the people OF Chrystie street were bet
ter ornithologists. They called II a
yulture.
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 II you aren't too
tlredg"
The red haired. unshaven. untldy
man sitting shoeless by the window
answered, with frown:
"Checkersl No: won't. Can't a
man who works hard all day have a
little rest when be comes homei 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. II 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. IL seems that you might
give up little OF your time to amuse
her when you come nome
"Let her 20 out and play Ike the rest
or 'em N she wants 10 be amused"
said the red haired. unshaven. untidy
man, ..and don't bother me-"
You're on" said Kid MuIlaiy. eff.
II dollars 10 So take Annie TO the
dance. Put up"
The Kids black eyes were swapping
with The IRE OF the baited and chal.
lenged He drew out his roll" and
slspped ave tens upon the bar. The
A three Or four young fellows who were
thus taken more slowly produced
their stake.
-And. oh. what'll be done 10 you'll
be a-plenty.- said bettor. with antici
patory glee.
That's my lookout said the Kid
sternly. FIN 'em ~ all around
Mike"
After the round Burke, the Kids
sponge. sponge holder. pal. mentor and
grand yixIer. drew him out 10 the boot
black stand nc the saloon corner. where
al the Official and important matters
q the Small Hours Social club were
settled.
cut that blond out. Kid was bis
advice. .or fhercil be trouble. What
DO you want 20 throw down that girl
q yours for; You'll never find one
thatll freeze 60 you like Liz has. She's
worth hall full u Armies"
I'm no Annie admircrr' said the
hid. dropping n cigarette ash on bis
polished toe and wiplng II OF on Tony's
shoulder. "But ! want 10 teach LIZ a
lesson. She thinks ! belong 10 her.
She's been Dragging that daren'i
speak 10 another girl LIZ IL all right
IN some ways She's drinking 4 little
too much lately. And she uses Ian
guage that lady oughtn't"
You're engaged. amt your asked
Burke.
sure. Wen get married next year
maybe"
Z saw you make her drink her flrst
glass Of beer" said Burke. That was
Two years ago. when she used 70 come
hNWH 10 tue CuIutF " tuiNrut bhtt
headed 70 meet you after supper. She
was a quiet sort Of a KID then aud
couldn't speak without blushlng."
she's little spltfre sometimes
now" said the Kid u 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 LA wa.
ALT Girl and ! was 70 sneak out 70 a
dance coupled up with an Annie I'd
want a suit Of chain armor on under
ny Gladstone rags. all right"
Trough the land Of the stork.vul
iurr wandered liz Her black eyes
searchcd the passing crowds fierily. bul
taFueIy. Now and then she hummed
lars u foolish little songs.
iiz's skirt was green silk. Hei
waist was large brown and pint
rlald. well fitting and not withou
style. she wore cluster 81 rings Of
huge Imitation rubIes and Iocket thai
Hanged her knees NJ the bottom OF .
silver chain. Her shoes were run dow
over twisted high heels and wcr,
sirnngers 20 polish Her Int woult
scarcely have passed into -four bar
rel
M.