The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-12-13


Il never dreamed of such a thing"
Il toll you you didn't know. Why.
oncet was good like you, too. An
now. she began to sob-.now-Im
down-an' can't git up. l cant git
up. It's too late"
Suddenly Gloria remembered the
power to which she would appeal
Where a minute before had been dark
ness and uncertainty was now the
clearness OF summer day.
Its never too late" she insisted
"Remem Der. I'm not alone. My father
will help me. He's brave and good and
strong. with heart of gold. l can't
change the worlds ways. maybe. but |
can do something to make Belmont
better with my fathers help-and
yours"
Gloria WAS a doughty Crusader and
was eager TO plunge at once into the
Work or reform. She was going to
permit her father to be a ways and
means committee, but she intended to
have a thorough grasp of the whole
situation herself.
why do YOU pay this-this black,
mail?" Gloria demanded
I've got to live. What else can l
do-now? m down, an in debt"
But they can't keep you from liv-
ing"
They can send me to the work
house" And at the thought Little
ella shuddered.
Whom does this money go to? I
want to get that part Of 1t absolutely
straight so | can tell father"
1T goes to the boss, of course"
Little Ella made this statement In
matter-offact manner The methods
OF the system" were SO notorious
that she did not have to think Il mo-
ment before giving her answer.
The boss Here was factor in the
game of which Gloria as yet had had
no inkling The boss. What does he
do? Now she desired to know about
this boss
The boss?" Both the tone of her
question and the look on her face de-
noted her Interrogation.
Yes, the boss gifts the money" Lit
tie Ella saw that 1t would be neces-
sary for her to explain. Il thought
everybody in Belmont knowed that
gives it to Noonan mostly. but some
times the round-sergeant collects. an
sometime they both do"
This double collection wasn't on the
square, but what was she to do? II
she complained she knew too well
what would happen to her.
"Who's Noonan?"
ua he
downstairs, an rents me this room.
He gifts rake-off from most every
body down here"
He must be a rich man.
"Oh, some-but he's got to pass q
lot of it on"
And YOU say the police know about
this?"
Little Ella looked at her in amaze.
ment. 10 Gloria a policeman was a
stalwart individual with white gloves
who halted traffic while she crossed
! the avenue. To the other police
| man was an enemy, CRATER who new
| er overlooked an opportunity to feath
er his own nest or line his own pocket
| book The best that she ever could
say for any one of them was that he
was an autocratic rowdy Glorias sim,
| plic!ty in asking If the police knew OF
| this tribute caused her to reply:
They ought to-they git some OF
it Then the man higher up gifts his
81 can't believe it. When you ge,
well | want you to come and tell my
entail man. I'm sure he'll help you
| He shall help you" she added decisive
iy and every poor, unhappy person
down here, because | shall tell him
| to
Little Ella looked at her. all admira
| tiou for such power.
Gee, / wisht | had a pa like
| yourn." was all that she could say
He can't know that such things are
| happening-here-every day in Bel
mont"
"lf he did ! reckon he wouldn't tell
| you" Little Ella was more conversant
| with the ways of the world.
! And what did you say finally be
| comes of this money you have tc
pay"
The boss gifts it."
oh, yes. This boss-who is he!
What does he do to earn his money!,
That's what he gifts fer pertectin
us He keeps the bulls from juggin
US"
And If you don't pay?"
He gives EN- the tip an we're
hauled in. and sent up for thirty days
This didn't accord with Gloria's lde,
of law and justice. Here was a mar
who, without authority and as his
whim dictated, arrested people be
cause they would not 90 something
unlawful. And the polica, instead OF
| being instruments of the law. were un
der the direction of this boss.
Cant the law touch him." she
asked.
Huh! He's the law in this town"
DO you mean to tell me there is 8