The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-07-23


been at her work in the glove factory vigorously
treadiing heavy machine Mrs Ryan continued
staring and squirting.
Shes turribie grand she commented That's a
ssw suit on her-and hat too"
'1ts her old hat with new flowers Lizzie stated,
ironing away.
Mrs. Ryan looked disputatious but after glance
~ her daughters firm, closed lips, she yielded the
hat
she sighed.
"Her mother did we'll by her in the first place.
When Rosie made a fool OF herself at sixteen run
ming of and marrying some fellow who drank and
beat her, twas hesmother who come and took her
home and paid for divorce and got her new
clothes and new place and fresh start in life.
If shes married good man now, It's her mothers
doings. Her mother made her
"Weii, her mother could--she didn't have but her
self and five childer'to do for" Mrs Ryan dis
tinctively defensive "Taint as If she had my ten
and himself"
She jerked her head to an open door through
which came the sound Of heavy snorcs and the odor
OF bad whisky
tYes, only FIVE" said Lizzie. bitterly. "And why?
Because she'd had the nerve to throw out the
drunken oafer who'd have fed on her and her chill
dren and ruined them all Gawd | wsht you'd
kicked him out long ago. She gave a tragic look
at that open door Ten Of US, she went on, press
ing out ruf7e after rufle chid's dainty dress.
"Ten Of us. julie married another drunkard, with
four Of her own; @nd Harry in Jail and Johnnie
Gawd knows where with the gang and me working
every day and Sur@ay and Annie doing up bundles
three Easements Row grounds and Pete working,
too, at twelve yoM swearing two years off his age
in the affidavit; IND Maggie and Gertrude too
pindng and undeS Ssized 10 be anywhere else but at
school, and four anore kids lnoe,ioot in the
alleys, and him inl there, stealing our money and
eating our food and beating the kids when ou7
backs is turned and why? Why: Because you
loved him! Because you hadn't the grit to get rid
OF him when you knew he was bad as poison.
Love she repeated her voice breaking, "a lot OF
8 She bent @ closer Bver her work her mouth witch
ing. Then she threw back her head with gesture
of reputation Her features stifened into ex-
preston Of hard contempt strangely at variance
with their delicate youth. Il want OF that
love for me- she proclaimed. when ! marry I'll
be bettering myself
y "Im glad to hear it." There was an accent OF
irony in her mothers tones. She shufflei back to
her tub hastily. as If rousng from the spell her
daughters words had over her Il hope ye live
up to it,"
I'm going to, the girl somberly insisted. Its
no hot air. Ike had few fellows after me-hne
on huggng and kissing and throwing their money
down their throats like ali the rest-and / cut them
all out. l met an older at Smulsh's who's
been taking me out once or twice. He's nearer
forty than thirty an he's been married before-his
wife died three years ago; but he's got good Job
!, pothchild's aud he owns a home OF Ills own. Its
IN Sangamon street Hes asked to go aud
ook at II with him this afternoon. and I'm going
and If he asks1ne II III live in il, IN going toP
She replaced her iron the stove with bang
nd stood erect a moment resting her tired back
The sweat was pouring of her scarlet face.
Mrs Ryan rubbed on mechanically for time
,ithort speaking And you twenty she said. half
! herself "WeD, / don't gainsay yau, Lizzie.
faybe you're righ, Gawd knows your father made
focIrof me If9you can do better pit5h in and