The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-19

OOuH
better. He's only in the way of every
body" The landlord said nothing. He
stood leaning across the bar lookin g
more sober than usual. They had an
awful time last night" continued the
first speaker. Joe had the tremens and
the wife was alone with the girl and
Joe all night The girls going to die.
Rather unlucky for you, Simon. heard
some strong suggestions over at Law
yer Philips office today. You'll prob
able be arrested for manslaughter.
Slade tried to buster, but it was of
no use. although Harvey Green helped
| him.
Suddenly came the news that little Mary
was dead. The crowd of drinkers was
at once awed into silence. Then some
proposed that a collection be taken up
for Mrs. Morgan. The older ones all re-
membered we'll when she had been vii
lage belle, beautiful and happy. The col
lection was generous one. and after Civ
ms 1t into the hands of Mrs. Slade for
delivery, the customers dropped out in
couples, discussing the situation and say
ing to each other that they would not be
In SHADES shoes for great deal. Simon
Slade closed the bar and silence reigned
through the house. Thus ended in gloom
the strangers Fourth Night in a Bar
room
Nearly five years had glided away be-
fore business again brought the stranger
to Cedarville. Simon Slade had been in
dicted for manslaughter because of the
death of Mary Morgan, but, through the
influence of Judge Lyman. the indictment
had been quashed. AS the stage rolled
into the village there was evidence on
every side of changes for the worse
About the once carefully tended house
and grounds of Judge Hammond hung an
air of neglect which was highly notice
able. Leaning against one of the pillars
OF the portico the traveller saw the Judge
his hat off disclosing his white hair his
head bowed evidently in a mood of deep
abstraction. His face was still forid.
but it had grown thin and pinched and
trouble was written in every line. At
the tavern coarse-looking, rotund, red
faced man stepped out to meet the stage
in whom the traveller had, at first glance,
some difficulty in recognizing Simon
Slade. As marked a change was every
where about the inn. It. too, had grown
larger by the addition of wings, but 1t
had grown coarser also. The white and
green paint which had looked so cool and
inviting when the tavern was first opened
hal been supplanted by a dull dirty
brown. The barroom had been enlarged
and trimmed IN gaudy manner with
decorations now dirty and gone to decay,
while cheap. loud pictures hung upon
the walls which, II not absolutely obscene,
were at least suggestive.
The sitting room was but little changed.
except that it was frowsy where it had
been neat, and had a stale, close. greasy
odor. as If 1t had not been properly swept
or busted for a week. The rooms, which
used to be SO neat and clean, were like
wise dusty and dingy and full of foul air,
and the bed linen needed washing. Stats
were broken in the blinds and there was
general air of slovenliness and early
decay about the place. Several loungers
were on the porch, stout. hearty fellows,
but lazy, who. II they had anything to
DO. better liked idling and drinking. A
smart young Irishman presided behind
the bar and seemed to be the only really
alive person about the place A man in
light sulky, driving a horse at top
speed, went by In n cloud of dust. It
was Willy Hammond, driving his new
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. trotter. the bar
keeper said. Most as fast as his young
master" one of the loafers remarked
Hardly" replied another; nothing In
the world can equal Hammond; he goes
1t with perfect rush" Then the strap e.
err learned more about tho downward
progress of Willy Hammond
| His father, seeing the way he tended.
| had, upon setting UP his distillery, made
his son partner-the business man of
tho concern, with an idea Of steadyinr
him by responsibility. But the curb was
applied too late. as the Judge found to his
sorrow Good natured. impulsive Willy
had become a sport" He let business
go-and let "the old man" pay the bills.
The Judge and the landlord had fallen
QUIT was thought over an expressed
desire on young Hammond's part to mar.
~ SHADES daughter Flora. In Ave yeara