Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1913-08-01

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
gripped 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 were paining him furiously and
the blood rushed to his head. He was
quite alone now.
I'll teach 'em, tha dogs, playing
that tune!" he muttered. The crowd
had gathered into a well-organized de-
bridge. In front Of it marched two
men, each carrying a huge red flag.
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
throats of thousa nds. The sidewalks
were 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 9
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 tc
his knees, staggered under the terrific
blows that were 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 his
duty. He rose to his feet and stag
gered into the captains room-to con
front not the captain alone, but the
police commissioner.
Drunk and ran amuck right into
the midst of them, commissioner" he
heard the captain saying.
you are accused of attacking the
parade of Loyal American Hibernians,
Flaherty,' said his captain. Also OF
attempting to purloin one flag, the
property of the organization. What
have you to say?"
"'Twas the strikers wild their red
flags l fought, and alone" cried Fla
herty.
Red f1ag." snorted the commission
er. Since when has the red flag been
the symbol of Ireland's glory, my
man? That flag was as green as the
emerald grass of Ireland"
"'Twas as red as-as that" cried
Dennis, pointing to tattered emblem
in a corner of the room.
'Begorra, that's the very fag'
yelled the captain. He's drunk still
Commissioner"
Il think this is a case for Dr. Nc
Dermott," said the commissioner smil.
ing. It's all right, my man." he add
ed. you can go homo on sick leave
now. l think Captain, if McDermott
agrees with my diagnosis, l may re-
woke my order concerning desk duty
in this special instance"
You see, Nora" explained her hus-
band afterward, with every Irishman
in town hungerlng for me blood
why, they thought whole cop at the
typewriter was better than twinty
pieces of one making work for the
street paving commissioner"
Copyright, 1913. by w. G. Chapman)