Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-10-28
CringIy Court


was the only sensation that stirred
the fstid air Of the court, and changed
the complexion Of its dirty brick walls
TO the impoverished dwellers within.
Mrs. Clancy OF No. was the first
20 spread the news, as she darted up
the stairs to inform Mrs. Ataloni
above, and then shuffed ont along
the fre-escape to huskily whisper
through the window TO Mrs. Leyitsky.
Then the wireless telegraphy Of the
court flashed the information TO ali
the inhabitants thereof The cause
Of It all was that a man was coming
through the court taking names.
What could be HIS fell desirei
Was he an agent Of the police? Most
likely. But who was the cuiprit
sought7 Hard telling. according TO
Mrs. Clancy, for "the ways of police
Is very strange" But It behooved all
10 be submissive, for they had trou-
bic enough without the minions of the
law interdicting them.
So when the man called at the
houses in the court, he was met with
ready answers. albeit the faces Of his
respondents we're pale, and they were
palpably nervous, and what odd ques-
tions he asked Mrs. Ataloni was
sure It must have been a search for
undesirable aliens, so she hastened to
exhibit her husbands naturalization
papers. Mrs. Levltsky met the mans
advent with stoicism, for did not the
police Of Russia come less civilly and
at unexpected hours and seasons to
question: Ahd voc betide a refused
answer But this was "a nice feller."
AS for Mrs. Clancy, she gave glib but
wonderful replies. and at the mans
departure she Winked assuringly to
herself.
At the further end of the court the
grimy black wan OF a machine factory
seemed to prop a leaning old wooden
relic Of house. The census man
climbed two riskety flights without
response, but at the top Of the lad
der, like stairs to the rooms beneath
the caves" he was met by the quaint
est little figure Of a woman. Attired
in an antique styled black brocade,
with little white lace cap, she look
ed neat, wholesome picture Of the
. ancient grandmother. Nor did her
apartment, with sagged floor, slsnting
ceiling and general Ill repair, fail to
consort to her appearance. Tidy as
her figure. yet as ancient in sugges-
ton.
The rendered seat was a relief to
his weariness, and the first few ques-
tons we're answered quietly. But
there is a strange tendency to some
lonely natures, perhaps 1t Is a search
ing out for sympathy or maybe the de-
sire to listen to the recital, even
though by themselves, Of a cherished
incident that impelB them to expatiate
on events where the least limiting
mention is offered. And In this case
the dear. little. old lady was so allur-
ing in her quaintness that he raised
his pencil and listened when she d.
gressed.
my name It is Denise de la Bouril-
Ion. Please put in the de la be-
cause they belong there. l have the
right Yes, was born in the France.
Ny husband was Of the nobility, Ana
toie Mare de la Bourillou All, he was
q handsome gentleman. so beautiful.
so proud. See, here Is his pictuTei
Was he not beautiful? All, mel It
is 80 sad. You are young man You
are not married2 All, then. perhaps
you do not yet know what it is, the
grand passoni-
you know, In the France the par
ents make what you call the match.
When Anatole's father came 10 ny
father to arrange the match. my
father storm. The Bourillon wore no
BILE. but very poor. Ny parents were
wealthy and had an eve to a young
man Of equal wealth, So my father
forbid Anatole the house. My, how /
CRY. They decide to take voyage
with me to take me away from Ana
tole. But one morning at church.
meet Anatole and tell him, and he beg
and plead that shall elope. A good
priest shall marry US. and we shall 20
across the sea / was afraid, but l
love him and consent at last.
"We were married and sailed to
this country. The war was In the land.
and times were so hard. There was
no work for poor foreign gentleman,
and soon we were very, very poor and
hungry. AnRtoIe was so-sad, and
when alone CRY. One day he come
70 me and kiss me and put $500 In
my hands. l am frightened, but Ana
tole weep with his face In his hands.
And then know. He has enlist for
soldier. and this was what you call
bounty money. The war was prom
ased to be over soon at once so there
is no danger. and the money would
keep me against he return.
"Ah me. how I cry. How | wait for
him 10 come hack and all the time
hear Of more and more fighting until
at last Il get the word. He will not
come back. How prayed to go, too,
but the good priest he scold and tell
me to pray and let the good Saviour
work his will 30 here am, but | am
waiting for my ,Anatole. 1t is a long
time. Yes. the good government pays
me what you call pension. so | am
comfortable while walt for my Ana
toie."
It was raining IN Cringly Court
when the census man departed. and
the drops would fall on one cheek.
20 he brushed them OF with his ker
chief as he left tha court-CLARA
A SHEA.