Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-06-04
NTEIE G0nRfiP
By o. HENRY.

|In man sat in a rocking chair by IIN a window He had just lighted @ pipe and was pulling blue clouds with great satisfaction. He had removed his shoes and donned pail of blue. faded carpet slippers. With I the morbid thirst of the confirmed daily news drinker. he awkwardly folded back the pages of an evening paper. eagerly gulping down the strong, black headlines. to be followed as chaser by the milder details of the smaller type.
 i In an adjoining room 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- cruitins 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 us the stork But the people of Chrystie street were bet ter ornithologis:s. They called 1t a vulture.
 A lirtle 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 if you aren't too tired?"
 | The red haired. unshaven. untidy man sitting shoeless by the window | answered. with frown:
 Checkers! No; 1 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 sldewalk?" The woman who was cooking came to the door.
 "Iohn." she said, q don't like for Lizzie to play in the street. They learn too much there that ain't good for 'em. She's been In the house all | day long. It seems that you might give up a 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, ''aDd don't bother me-"
 You're on." said Kid Mullaly. Eff ty dollars to So5 take Annie to the dance. Put up."
 The Kids black eyes were snapping with the fire of the baited and cbal- lenged He drew out his roll" and 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 a 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 sponge, sponge holder. pal. mentor and grand vizier. drew him out to the boot black stand at the saloon corner. where all the official and important matters of the Smal! Hours Social club were settled.
 "Cut that blond out, Kid" was his advice. ''or there'll be trouble. What do you want to throw down that girl of yours for? You'll never find one thatll freeze to you like Liz has. She's worth a hall full of Annies."
 "I'm no Annie admirerr' said the Kid. dropping a cigarette ash on his polished toe and wiping 1t of on Tony's lesson. She thinks l belong to her. She's been bragging 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 lan- guage that a lady ouShtn't."
 You're engaged, ain't you?" asked Burke.
 Sure. We'll get married next year, maybe"
 "l saw you make her drink her first glass of beer" said Burke. That was two years ago. when she used to come uONu tO tbe tDTHtT Ot SuFy Stle puie- headed to meet you after supper She was a quiet sort of kid then and couldn't speak without blushing."
 She's little spittire sometimes now." said the Kid "I 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 Liz was my girl and l was to sneak out to a dance coupled up with an Annie I'd want suit of chain armor on under my gladsome 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.
 Liz's skirt WIS green silk. Her waist was large brown and pink plaid. wei! fitting and not without style She wore Il cluster of rings of huge imitation rubies and l0cket that banged her knees at the bottom 0f a silver chain. Her shoes were run down Over twisted hirb heels and were