The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1913-09-19

then. that an attack was imminent'
This was Flaherty's post, here on the
bridge. The platoon was dispensing
Discipline forbade Flaherty to ask
questions. He was left alone. He
rripped his club more tightly. If he
was to be made the sacrifice on ac-
count of a foolish order he would
show them what he could do. His
feet we're paining him furiously and
the blood rushed to his head. He was
quite alone now.
III teach EN-, the dogs, playing
that tune!" he muttered. The crowd
had gathered into a w~ell-organized de-
taohment and started toward the
bridge. In front of it marched two
men, each carrying a huge red nag.
Flaherty looked round. Was nobody
going to stop them? All he could see
was the ~lieutenant's coat disappear
ing round the corner of the block.
On they came, toward the center OF
the bridge, where Flaherty stood. The
music sounded loudly, the flags waved,
cheers and yells came from the
threats of thousands. The sidewalks
we're lined with spectators. A faint
ness overcame Dennis. Had the may
or actually forbidden this procession
or was he dreaming? But a good cop
never pauses to examine his meta
physical condition. He strobe for
ward with uplifted club.
stop that!" he yelled. stop right
there, boys. The first man that sets
his foot forward, I'll bate his brains
out"
The old Irish accent had come back
in full force with his excitement.
Dennis saw the men with the flags
halt irresolutely. The crowd surged
backward and forward, and then, at a
word Of command from its leaders,
advanced again. The men with the
flags smiled coolly and contemptu-
ously. Dennis felt his wrath overcome
his reason. He sprang forward and
began clubbing right and left. He
seized the nearest flag, The mob beat
against him like an invading sea. A
thousand voices clamored for his
blood. The flag was wrenched out OF
his hand. He seized the staff again.
struck right and left, was beaten to
his knees, staggered under the terrific
blows that we're showered upon him;
then the mob surged forward over his
PROSTATE body.
"Flaherty, the Caps waiting to see
YOU" said the man who was bathing
his forehead.
Dennis opened his eyes. The swim
ming room was the district police
quarters. Then this battered, aching
man on the cot must be himself, Den
mis- Flaherty. But he had done hi
duty. He rose to his feet and stag
gered into the captains room-to con
front not the captain alone, but thu
police commissioner.
Drunk and ran amuck right int
the midst of them, commissioner" h,
heard the captain saying.
"You are accused of attacking tn,
parade of Loyal American Hibernians
Faherty," said his captain. ALSO o
attempting to purloin one flag, th'
property of the organization. VIVA
have you to say?"
Twas the strikers wild their REL
flags l fought, and alone" cried Fla
herty.
RED flag!" snorted the commission
er. Since when has the red flag beef
the symbol of Ireland's glory, m.
man? That flag was as green as tn,
emerald grass Of Ireland"
"'Twas as red as-as that" criet
Dennis, pointing to a tattered emblem
in a corner of the room.
Begorra, that's the very flag!
yelled the captain. He's drunk still
Commissioner"
II think this is a case for DR.. Nc
Dermott," said the commissioner smil
ing. It's all right, my man." he ado
ed. "You can go home on sick leav
now. think, Captain, If McDermot
agrees with my diagnosis, 1 may re
woke my order concerning desk dut
in this special instance"
You see, Nora" explained her huf
band afterward, with every Irishma
in town hungering for me blood
why, they thought a whole cop at tn
typewriter was better than twint
pieces Of one making work for tn
street paving commissioner"