The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1914-07-04

pay. always pay"
i never dreamed Of such a thing
Il toll you you didn't know Why.
oncet | was good like you, 100 An
now" she began 20 sob-"now-l'rn
down-an' l cant git up. l can't git
up. It's TOO late"
Suddenly Gloria remembered the
power TO which she would appeal
Where minute before had been dark
ness and uncertainty was now the
clearness OF summer day,
Its never too late" she insisted
Remember. I'm not alone. My father
will help me. He's brave and good and
strong. with a heart of gold. 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 Of reform. She was going to
permit her father 10 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
do-now? I'm down. an in debt"
But they cant keep you from Hv-
ing"
They can send me 10 the work
house." And at die thought Little
Ella shuddered.
Whom does this money go to? I
want to get that part Of it absolutely
straight so l can tell father"
1T goes to the boss, of course"
Little Ella made this statement in
matter-of-fact manner. The methods
Of the system" were so notorious
that she did not have to think mo-
ment before giving her answer
The boss. Here was a 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?" 10th 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. 81 thought
everybody in Belmont knowed that
gives it to Noonan mostly. but some
times the round-sergeant collects, an
sometimes they both do"
This double collection wasn't On the
square, but what was she to do? II
she complained. she knew too we'll
what would happen to her.
who's Noonan?"
Mike Noonan? He runs the saloon
downstairs, an rents me this room.
He gifts a 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. To Gloria q policeman was a
stalwart individual with white gloves
who halted traffic while she crossed
the avenue. To the other a 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
was an autocratic rowdy. Gloria's sim
plicity in asking IL 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 1t. When you get
well l want you to come and tell my
father all this. He is-he's an influ-
entail man. I'm sure he'll help you.
He shall help you" she added decisive
ly, land every poor. unhappy person
down here, because | shall tell him
to-"
Little Ella looked at her. all admira-
ton for such power
Gee! l wisht l had pa like
yourn," was all that she could say
HE can't know that such things are
happening -here-every day in Bel
mont"
IF 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 to
pay?"
"The boss gifts it,"
ooh. yes. This boss-who is he?
What does he do to earn his money"
That's what he gifts fer pertectin'
u.s. He keeps the bulls from juggin'
u.s."
"And IL 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 Eloria,s ldaa