Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-05-30

directions, was damned. Motormen
banged their gongs peevishly, chauf-
teurs honked inquiringly. But Tim
looked neither to the right nor the
left; he fastened to the old lady on
the curb. q
"You want to cross. maam?" he
asked, with his sunny smile, and Of
tered his arm.
The old lady took it gratefully. u
suppose lame old woman has no
business on this busy street" she
said, a little breathlessly.
| Sure, and you have, ma'am," re-
turned Tim, stoutly. Take your time
an don't slip. IT'S bad footing"
/ "Thank you, young man; you're the
first person I've met since left home
that wasn't in hurry. The city's a
dreadful placed"
"It is so, ma'am," agreed Tim, so.
berly.
When their slow journey was half
completed, the old lady realized that
the lane of six feet which they were
traversing was banked on every side
by impatient hundreds who waited on
her footsteps.
She halted and withdrew her hand
from the policeman's arm, the better
to raise a Gliding forefnger. "AIl
these people waiting just for me? You
shouldn't have done it. They're more
important than l am"
"They think they are, but they're.
/ . yo$<
in is good for them"
He gave the nearest motorman q
level glance that stopped him in mid
bang. A grim, contemptuous stare.
sweeping over befurred chauffeur
and significantly to his license num-
Der, brought the fellows gauntleted
hand quickly from the horn.
The other curb was won at last, and
the old lady turned for final word.
You're real good" she said, earnest
ly. "The city can't be such dread
full place when there are boys like
you in it. Is your mother living?"
Eyes, ma'am-in Ireland" returned.
Big Tim.
Il hope you write to herr"
"Twice a month, ma'am."
Keep on writing. Don't ever miss.
Mothers set store by letters" She
smiled lonesomely. "Good-by, MI.
Policeman"
Big Tim, bareheaded, bowed courN
tier-like over her fingers. She,
dropped him little curtsey.
| To Sheila it was like scene from.
a play. The snow was clean and
fresh. The glittering show windows,
pricked out by their myriad lights.
were the background. The old lady
and Tim, unconsciously graceful and
sincere, held the center of the stage.
The hurrying crowds on the walk
filled in.
The temper Of the audience in the
street changed at the little tableau.
Impatient scowls gave place to
smiles.
Big Tim dove into the tangle and
the street again. His whistle sound
ed. His white-gloved hand was aloft,
reckoning. The snarled strands Of
traffic Strengthened out and shuttled
back and forth.
The motorman who had banged the.
loudest gave Moloney friendly grin
as he rumbled past. On all sides
people nodded and smiled. There was
something heart-warming about the
gentle kindness of the big police
man.
I'D like to get across, Mr.. Mo-
loney," said timid voice when traffic
had settled down again. Tim turned
like shot. 1t was Sheila, demure and
friendly.
"Y-yes, ma'am," he stammered.
Almost at the curb she Rugged his
elbow suddenly to her breast. you
aren't brute, Jimmie" she said.
warmly. I'm mean, ungrateful girl.
so am"
"sheila!" cried Tim, huskily. Can
come up tonight"
She smiled dazzingly, and blush
mounted to her rounded cheeks. IL
you'll bring me my ring"
"Darlin'!" said big Tim, fergently.
No Cheap Grocery House Stuff
when you buy Pails or Tubs at John