The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-31
CHAPTER XVI.

shadows. Don't take up the JuusS
time. Nellie; times money, and mon
ey's as infreqrent as a white crow;
And then suddenly and painfully
conscious OF his verbal forwardness
thu little lamplighter sank back into
the grateful gloom of his corner and
was mute.
"It's my man, Judge" said Nellie
And the Judge nodded comprehend
ingly.
Il don't know how me and my chill
dren are to live through the winter,
declare | don't, Judge. unless he gives
me a little help"
aAnd the winter amt fairly here
vet. and it's got long belly when II
does GOMEZ" said Mr.. Shrimplin
Immediately the little man was con
scious OF the impropriety Of his Ian
paiage. He realized that the happ,
and forcefully expressed philosoph!
with which he sought to open Custer
mind to the practical truths OF life
was q jarring note In the judges II
brary.
aJoe's acting scandalous. Judge, jus
scandalousl" said Nellie with sudder
shrill energy. That man would take
the soul out of saint with his carry
ings-on,"
aIt seems to me there is nothing
new In this" observed the judge a
little impatiently. is he under ar
rest?"
sNo. Judge, he amt under arrest"
began Nellie
(Which amt saying he hadn't ought
to bel" the little lamplighter snorted
savagely. He suddenly remembered
he was there to give his moral support
to his sister-in-laW.
"That mans got q new streak into
him, Judge. thought he'd about
done everything he could do that he
shouldn't but hey broke out In a
fresh spot. -.--,--
~What has he-been doing. Nellie?"
asked the judge, who felt that his
callers had so far lacked in directness
and deiniteness.
What amt he been doing, you'd
better say, Judge" cried Nellie miser-
ably.
Us he abusing you or the children
al don't see him from one week
end to another"
"Am l to understand that he has
mo, can't say that, for he sends
his clothes home for me to wash and
mend"
"Ain't that the human sufferin' lin
it," gasped Mr.. Shrimplin.
Il suppose you wash and memo
them?" And the Judge smiled family
eOf course" admitted Mrs. Mont
gomery simply.
docs he contribute anything to
ward your support" asked the Judge
The woman laughed sarcastically a
this
at takes a barkeeper to pry 10
loose from his CON-" interjected Nj
Shrimplin. Get down to details, Ne
lie. and tell the Judge what kind @
critter you're hitched up to-"
"He told Arthur, that's my oldes
boy, II didn't stop bothering him
that he was Just man enough to pa
i've dollars for the fun OF knockin
the front OF my facet"
That was a choice one TO hand OF
to an eldest son, wasn't 1t, your hol
orr" said the little lamplighter, tut
ging at his faxen mustache.
Il just manage to keep a roof owe
our heads" went on Nellie. "and will
out any thanks to him. but he hs
srplenty Of money, and where II come
from I'd like TO know, for he ain
done q lick Of work in weeks"
Fact, Judged" remarked M
Shrimplin. rive made II my bus
ness lately to keep one eye on 10,
He spends half his time loafin' q
Andy Gllmore's rooms, and the othe
half gettin. picked"
What do you wish me to do7
asked the Judge, addressing himsel
TO Mrs. Montgomery.
Il wish, Judge, that you'd send wor
to him that you want to see him."
And toss a good healthy scare int
him." added Mr.. Shrtmplin aggrei
sively.
But he might not care to respec
the summons; there Is no reason VIII,
he should" explained the Judge.
If he knows you want TO see him
he'll come here fast enough" sait
The Judge turned to shrimplin.
viii you tell him this. Shrtmplin
the first time you see him?"
Won't ~" said the little lamplight
or. Certainty, Judge-certainly .
and his agile fancy had already
clothed the message In verAage thai
should terribly the delinquent Joe.
Very we'll, then; but boyond civ
ing him word OF advice and warn
Ing. can do nothing"
A night or two later, az, the tudsa
who had spent the evening at Colon =
dsrbisons, came to his own gate b,
saw q slouching figure detach itsel
from the shadows hear his front doc
and advance to meet him midway O
the grayelsd path that led to tn
street. II was Joe Montgomery.
We'll, my mani said the jude,
with some little show OF sternnee,
Il suppose you received my mel
sage7'
Montgomery, uncovered his shoe
Of red hair. while his bulk of bon
and muscle actually trembled in tn
presence Of the small but awesom
hgure confronting him -rntrh
have crushed me judge with a blow
OF his huge fist. but no possible proyo
cation could have induced him To In,
hands on Nellie's powerful ally.
That skunk shrimplin- says m,
old woman's been here" ne faltered
co'sonin' yQaf mind agin. me-"
sickiy grin >relaxed his heavy law,
he Lord only knows what abe q,
poets OF q mani dunno! The NOR
try. the worse she gets; nothin' ss
F4Is hreath reeking 18th ,,,h,,.A.