Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-07-20

1 IA mdu Sde III u IOCh1uS Cudll ~ l
HX q window. He had just lighted |
e. a pipe and was putting blue
clouds with great satisfaction. He had |
removed his shoes and donned 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 gulping down the
strong, black headlines, to be followed
as chaser by the milder details of
the smaller type.
In IN adjoining room woman was
cooking supper. Odors from strong
bacon and boiling coffee contended
against the cut plug fumes from the
vespertine pipe. r
Outside was one Of those crowded
streets of tile east side in which a.
twilight falls Satan sets up his re-
cruiting office. A mighty host Of chill
dren danced and ran and played in the
street. Abo~e 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 it
vulture. %,,
"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 If you aren't too
tired?'
The red haired, unshaven, untid!
man sitting shoeless by the window
answered, with d frown:
"Checkers! No; l 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, 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. 1t seems that you might
give up little Of your time to amuse
her when you come home"
"Let her 60 out and play like the rest
Of 'em' If she wants to be amused"
said the red haired, unshaven, untidy
man, land don't bother me''
you're on" said Kid Mullaly. eff
ty dollars to $25 I 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. The
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 bettor, with antici-
patory glee.
''That's my lookout" said the Kid
sternly. 'Fill 'em up all around,
Nike"
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 his
advice, cor there'll be trouble. What
do. you want to throw down that girl
Of yours for? You'll never find one
that'll freeze to you like Liz has. She's
worth a hall full Of Annies."
"I'm no Annie admirerv' said the
| Kid, dropping cigarette ash Oh his
polished toe and w1ping it off on Tony's
shoulder. But 1 want to teach Liz a
lesson. She thinks belong to her.
She's been Dragging 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 Ian
guage that lady oughtn't."
you're engaged, amt you?" asked
Burke.
"Sure. Well get married next year,
maybe"
II saw you make her drink her first
glass Of beer" said Burke. THAT was
two years ago. when she used to come
down to the corner Of Chrystie bare
headed to meet you after supper. She
was quiet sort Of kid then and
couldn't speak without blushing."
"She's a little spitfire sometimes
now" said the Kid. II hate jealousy.
That's why I'm going to the dance
with Annie. I'll teach her some sense"
swell, you better look little out -
were Burke's last words. IF Liz was
my girl and was to sneak out to a
dance coupled up with an Annie I'd
want suit Of chain armor on under
my gladstone 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 hummcd
bars Of foolish little songs.
! LIS skirt was green silk. Her
waist was a large brown and pink
| plaid, we'll fitting and not without
STYLE She wore cluster Of rings Of
huge imitation rubies and a locket that
banged her knees at the bottom Of a
silver chain. Her shoes were run down
over twisted high heels and were
! strangers to- polish. Her hat would
scarcely have passed into -four bar
| rel. -
The family entrance" of the Blue
| Jay cafe received her.
whisky, Tommy" she said as her
! sisters farther uptown murmur.
champagne, James"
"Sure, Miss Lizzie! What'n the
! chaser be?"
SETTER And, say, Tommy, has the
Kid been around todayy' - .,.-
"Whv no Miss Lizzie I haven't