The Irish standard., 1914-03-07


ness and malice. II one believed all
he heard here he'd quit speaking to
his own grandmother"
"You will admit, I suppose" said
Mrs. Clifford with some spirit, that
the name Valiant isn't what it used
to be in this neighborhood?'
II will, madam" responded the doc
tor. when Valiant left this place "a
mark Of good taste, I've always consid-
cred it) he left it the worse, If posi-
BILE, for his departure. Your remark,
however, would seem to imply de-
merit on his part. Was he the only
man who ever happened to be at the
lucky end Of dueling-ground?"
"Then it isn't true that Valiant was
q dead shot and Sassoon intoxicated?"
MADAM" said the doctor, II have
no wish to discuss the details Of that
unhappy incident with you or anybody
else. I was one of those present, but
the circumstances you mention have
never been descanted upon by me-"
Il see by the papers," said Mrs. Gif-
ford, with an air Of resignedly chang.
ing the subject. they've been investi-
eating the failure Of the Valiant Cor
poration. The son seems to be get
ting the sharp end Of the stick. Per
haps he's coming down here because
they've made it so hot for him in
New York. Well, I'm afraid he'll find
this county disappointing"
"He will that" agreed the doctor
savagely. "No doubt he imagines he's
coming to kindly countryside Of gem
tle-born people with souls and imagi-
nations; he'll find he's lit in a section
that's entirely too ready to hack at his
fathers name and prepared in ad.
vance to call him Northern scum and
turn up it's nose at his accent COM
11unity so full of dyed-in-the-wool
snobbery that it would make Boston
look like q poorGwhite barbecue. I'm
eor1y for himl"
Just then from the rear OF the house
came strident voice:
Yo', Raph'el! Take yo' hams
outer dem cherries! Dom 20 know 81
10 swallahs dem ar pits, 20 gwinete1
Ihab 'pendegeetus en- lump up en- die?"
The sound Of slap and shrill yelp
followed, and around the porch dashed
ian tnfantile darkey, as nude as black
Puck, with his hands full of cherries,
who came to a sudden demoralized
stop in the embarrassing foreground
"Ralph!" Numbered the doctor.
Didn't tell you to go back to that
'htchen?"
Eyes. subj" responded the imp. But
20 didn' tell me ter stay dar!"
IF I see you out here again." roared
the doctor, I'll tie your ears back
and grease you-and SWALLOW
you'll" At which grisly threat, the
apparition, with shrill shrek, turned
and ran desperately for the corner Of
the house.
II hear" said the doctor, resuming.
''that the young man who came to FIX
the place up has hired Uncle Jeffer-
son and his wife to help him. Who's
responsible for that interesting infor-
mation?"
Hickey Snyder" said Mrs. Mason.
"she's got q spy-glass rugged up in
q sugar-tree at Miss Matte Sues
and she saw them pottering around
there this morning"
Little limb!" exclaimed Mrs. Gif
ford, with emphasis. "She's as cheeky
as town-hog. can't imagine what
Shirley cambridge was thinking Of
when she brought that low-born child
out Of her sphere"
Something like growl came from
the doctor as he struck open tho
screen-door. "'Limb!' I'll bet ten
dollars she's an angel in q cedar.
tree at church fair compared with
some better-born young ones I know
Of who are only at to live when
they've got the scarletfever and who
ought to be in the reformatory long
ago. And as for Shirley cambridge.
it's my opinion she and her mother
and few others like her have got
about the only drops Of the milk Of
human kindness In this whole aban-
doned community" A
Dreadful mani" said Mrs. Clifford.
soto voce. as the door banged vicious.
". ITO think Of his being born .
southall! Sometimes I can't believe
III"
Mrs. Mason shook her head and
smiled. "Ah. but that isn't tho real
Doctor southall." she said. That's
only his ahell.