The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-08-16


guish the words in which he bawled
his tidings. and she thought nothing Of
II. One OF Jimmy's few rules was that
she was not TO read the papers But.
when the heavy voice was gone, she
found that il had had strange. de-
pressing effect upon her: she longed
for Jimmy to come; the day had
dragged itself by so slowly. and some
thing of its somberness had stolen
into her soul. She sighed. and leaned
her chin on her arm her back was
growing tired, and beginning to ache.
Then suddenly she heard horses hoofs
and the roll of carriage in the street.
She rose and leaned far out of the
window to welcome him. The cab
drew up; II stopped the door opened.
But the man who got out was not
Jimmy. 1t was Father Daugherty.
She knew him the instant she saw the
fuzzy old high hat thrust out Of the
cab, and caught the greenish sheen OF
the shabby cassock that stood away
| from the fringe Of white hair on his
neck in such an Uniting. ill-becoming
| fashion. The old man did not look
up, but tcttered across the sidewalk.
Annie gasped. and scarce could
move. In a moment more she heard
the old steps on the stairs, the steps
that for forty years had gone on so
many errands for others, kind and
merciful errands all Of them, though
for the most part sad. He was soon
beside her. and she looked up into the
| gentle face that was so full of the
woes of humanity. He had driven at
once from the hospital in the cab they
had sent to fetch him. Jimmy's last
words had been:
What will become of Annie?"
The death Of Alderman Jimmy Tier
nan at any time would have been a
shock. When death came to him by
pistol ball il created what the news
papers. in the columns they were so
glad 10 fl that Monday morning de-
fined as profound sensation This
sensation was most profound in two
circles in the city. outwardly uncon-
nected. though bound by ties which ii
was the constant and earnest eSort
Of both TO keep secret and unknown.
The city council had had a special
session on Saturday night. and had
passed the new gas franchise. Alder
man Tiernan had had charge of the
fight Malachi Nolan was away, and
Baldwin had picked ont Herman as
the most Trustworthy and able OF
those of the gang who were left be-
hind Jimmy had felt the compliment,
and gloried in IT, 1t was the biggest
thing that had fallen to him in his
political life. and he was determined
that ne would make all there was TO
be made out Of the opportunity. Not
in any base or sordid sense-that is.
not wholly so; that would come, of
course. but he felt beyond this a Joy
in his work: the satisfaction of mere
success would be his chief reward, the
would feel. He relished the fight
: against the newspapers. against pub
lie opinion" whatever that was;
against the element that called itself
, the better" element
He was fully determined that nc
step should be misplaced; he count
ed his men over and over again; he
checked them OF mentally, and II al
! turned out as he had said. Every one
was present, every one voted, and vot
ed right" when the roll was called
the new gas franchise was granted
, Jimmy had delivered the goods
, II was natural that such a glorious
victory should be celebrated. and the
gang. when il assembled in Jimmy's
: place Immediately after the session
) was over. could not restrain its impa
tience The boys longed to have the
fruits Of the days work: with Their
wages they could celebrate with glad
care-free hearts. But Jimmy was OF a
Gaelic cunning. He would not ieopar
die the victory at thai stage by any
, ndiscretiOn He saw at a glance the
mood the gang was In. He smiled, as
he ALWAYS smiled-and any one. to see
! his smile. must have loved him-bu'
; he shook his head
The drinks in you, boys" he said
land you can't trust your tongues
Youll have to wait. Monday night
you'll be over Then we'll talk bust
ness"
Subconsciously. they still were so
her: in a strange dual mentality they
saw the safety there was in his de
cision: and. in the paralysis Of will
his magnetism worked in them. they
loved him>the more for It. They re
membered that 1t was just what Mala
csi would have done. And so. noisy
and excited as they were. they ap
plauded his saGacity Then they CAV,
themselves over unreservedly to theil
apretites 1t was a famous night II
the annals of the gang Jimmy him
self joined in the revelry. And in the
calm. silent Sunday morning. with the
new sunlight Of spring glazing in hi:
| swollen aching ewes he found him
self. with a companion. in Clarl
street chop horse Just as they were
going to order breakfast. a young mar
: came in. with black look in his eyes
No one saw ii then. though they al
remembered II afterward Jimm,
greeted him as gayly as he greeted
everybody. but the young man did no
warm to Jimmv's greeting. There were
words, the quick rush of anger Il
, Jimmy's face, blow. and the pistO
r shot. At first the newspapers were
: glad to trace some sinister connec
rion hatwaeO the franchise fight AMI