The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-05-20
0THE
G0nRfPAEH
By o. HENRY.

4
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 a chaser by the miider details Of |
the smaller type.
In an adjoining room q 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 Chryseie street were bet
ter ornithologists. They called 1t
vulture.
A little girl OF twelve came up tim
idly TO the map reading and resting by
| the window and said;
| "Papa, won't you play a game OF
checkers with me II you aren't too
| tired!"
The red haired, unshaven, untidy
man sitting shoeless by the window
answered. with a frown:
| Checkers! No: / won't. Can't
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 EN- She's been in the house oil
give up little of your time 10 amuse
her when you come home"
LET her go out and play like the rest
Of 'em IL she wants to be amused"
said the red haired, unshaven. untidy
man. land don't bother me-"
You're on" said Kid Mullaly. "Fif-
ty dollars to So5 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. Tho
three or four young fellows who were
thus taken" more slowly produced
their stake.
"And. OH what'n be done TO you'll
be a-plenty," said bettor. with antici-
patory glee.
} That's my lookout" said the Kid
sternly. Fiji 'em up all afound,
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 Small Hours Social club were
! settled.
"Cut that blond out, Kid" was hi.
] advice. "or there'll be trouble. Wha
} do you want to throw down that CIR
. of yours for? You'll never find on'
thatll freeze to you like Liz has. She'
, worth a hall full Of Armies"
} I'm no Annie admirer!' said til,
! Kid, dropping cigarette ash on hi
polished toe and wiping it OF on Tony'i
, shoulder. Put l want to teach Liz {
} lesson. She thinks l belong to her
\ She's been Dragging that l daren'
speak to another girl Liz Is all right
, in some ways. She's drinking a LITTLE
} too much lately. And she uses Ian
! guage that a lady oughtn't."
You're engaged, amt your asket
Burke.
Sure. Well get married next year
maybe"
II saw you make her drink her frs
/ glass Of beer" said Burke. That wal
two years ago. when she used to come
down to the corner of Chrystie bare
headed to~meet you after supper. Sh,
was quiet sort OF a kid then and
}, couldn't speak without blushing."
shes little spitfire sometimes
i now" said the Kid. II hate Jealousy
That's why I'm going 10 the dance
with Annie I'll teach her some sense.
well, you better look a little out.
were Burke's last words. IF Liz wal
my girl and was to sneak out to ,
dance coupled up with an Annie X
want q suit of chain armor on unde
my gladstone rags, all right"
Through the land Of the stork-vul
ture wandered Liz. Her black eye
yearched the passing crowds flerily. bu
vaguely. Now and then she humme,
bars Of foolish little songs.
LIS skirt was green silk. He
waist was n large brown and pinl
plaid. well fitting and not withou
STYLE. She wore n cluster Of rings o
huge imitation rubies and a iocket tina
banged her knees at the bottom OF
silver chain. Her shoes were run dow
over twisted high heels and wer
strangers 10 polish Her hat woul
scarcely have passed into -four bal
rel
The family entrance" OF the Blu
jay cafe received her
Whisky. Tommy" she said as he
sisters farther uptown murmu'
Champagne James"
. Sure. Miss Lizzie. What'n tn
chaser be-"
Settler. And. say. Tommy. has til
Kid been around todayF'
Why. no. Miss Lizzie. haven
saw him today"
I'm iook:n' for IN" said Liz afte
the chaser had spurted under her nos.
Its got 10 me that be says he'll tax
Annie karlson to the dance. Let hin
The pink eyed white rat. I'm Iookii
for IN. You know me. Tommy. Tw
years me and the Kid.Ee been engage,
Look at that ring. Five hundred
% r ct teH Ia hnR 70
dance. what1i do! III CT: hl
heart out Another whisky. Tommy
Il wouldn't listen to no such report
Miss Lizzie" said the waiter smootl
~ from the narrow SEEMING above b
chin kid MuIlaI4 not the guy
throw lady iiksSyou down Seitzs
on the slider