The daily Alaskan., 1914-03-16
Flanagan's
 Boy Story of St. Patrick's Day
By CLARISSA MACKIR

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 Larry will never be coming home, sighed Dennis Flanagan as he looked out into the March twilight. Its i've years since he went away to seek his fortune, Molly, and do you never won der what he's fOundT
 Molly Delaney looked at her uncle through unshed tears,
 'T am always wondering that, Uncle Dennis" she answered.
 Light the lamp, Molly, and read his latest letter" requested Dennis.
 When the lamp was lighted 1t dis closed a comfortable sitting room, clean and Cozy and warm. It showed | Dennis in his big rocking chair, his helpless rheumatic feet propped on a stool. Lovely Molly Delaney, with her misty black hair and her Irish blue eyes, sat down at the table and open ed the worn envelope that contained Larry Flauagan's letter and read: Dear Father-Although it's five years since 1 left you with high hopes In my
  fear that l must wait a little longer be- fore seeing your dear face again and feel ing the hearty clasp of your hand. Gold is an alluring jade She has led me a pretty chase in this bleak, cold country and now she is only just in sight. Please God, when next l write it will be to tell you that have struck 1t rich, that I am coming home to buy q grand house for you and Molly. and We will all be happy together. Remember that promised Mol ly that when came home I'd bring her bunch of emerald shamrOcks, the real jewels, and now they are just within my reach. A boy from Hazenville is due here tomorrow, and with his coming l expect to hear direct news from you both. With love from your dutiful son, LARRY.
 Molly lifted her eyes and looked across the table at Dennis Flanagan.
 Uncle Dennis, I'm afraid that Larry will never come home" she whispered.
 The old man lifted tremulous hand.
 Hush, child; I've q feeling that Larry will come back to us. had a dream last night. l thought there came a knocking at the door and l opened it to see our Larry. Instead Of wearing fine clothes and a silk hat, poor Larry was in rags. And Instead of pinning a bunch of emerald sham rocks on your bosom, where they'd be out of place on that flimsy cotton gown, my dear, our poor Larry car ried a little pot of the living green plant from old Ireland. And then I woke up."
 Molly was sobbing softly.
 "I don't care how poor he is, Uncle Dennis, If be will only come home to us"
 "No more do l, childie," whimpered Dennis.
 Don't sorrow. Uncle Dennis" com forted the girl, slipping to her knees beside him. Larry will soon come home. If this last quest for gold should prove useless, 1 can see him turning about and coming back to us. Between the lines of his letter I could read that he was hungering for the ones he had left behind"
 God bless you, daughter" smiled Dennis more cheerfully.
 
 The Alaska twilight had fallen swift ly like a dull gray blanket tossed over the frozen world; then a ghostly moon appeared over the eastern mountains and revealed bleak expanses of glisten- ing snow and the dark masses of pine trees.
 Under the shoulder of the hill crouch ed a little cabin, and before the blaz- ing fire on it's hearth two young men were sitting. The boy from Hagen vile" had arrived, and Larry Flanagan was listening to hls story of home and the home folks.
 And my old father helpless with the rheumatism?" repeated Larry incredu- lously. "Why. Mike Dolan, the old scout never wrote word of it to me! But, thank heaven, the railroad stocks will keep him comfortable, but
 Mike DOlan looked at the big framed man, whose brown hair was graying on the temples and whose handsome face had taken on new lines of dOggedness during the past five years. Was 1t pos sible that Larry did not know that the little western railroad had blown up and that old Dennis Flanagan's stock was worthless?
 Larry" he interrupted soberly, didn't you know that the railroad busted and your father lost every penny?"
 You lier' cried Larry savagely, for he was struck to the heart by the news. Mike Dolan smiled pityingly.
 Its all true, Larry, and what's more true is that your little cousin Molly is wonderful girl. When the bad news came the lass opened mil- linery shop, and with her clever fingers she certainly has made money hand over fist She's taken good care of your father, 0nd"-
 "Whisht, man." cried Larry in an | agoniZed tone, Il cannot bear to hear any more! Look at me, Mike Dolan! Laugh at me! came away to make my fortune. said when l returned would bring Molly a bunch of sham rock made from emeralds, with dia- | mOnd dewdrops on 'em, and look at thiSp' He swept his arm in a gesture | that included the four corners of the rough cabin. Me. still striving to | y,aI,a ooOd that nrOn,iSp and Molly