Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-09-14
THE CREED OF
THE CLAN
py MARY RIDER MEcHToLp
Copyright
Y6A Frank A. Nunsey O..
by MARY RIDER MEcHToLD
Continued from F. I. week.


TT was for Kitty started out to
make the coins rustic. From a political
roustabout ! got into the contracting
business-you know what l am now.'
"The mogul of your party-and one
Of the biggest guns in the country"
asserted his follower.
Jim sank into a big chair and chew
cd on his unlighted cigar stump.
1--WE picked my successor" he said
slowly; "it's you kid. Since l took
hold of you a year ago, you've more
than made good with me. You've done
everything Pve asked without whim-
pering-and some of the tricks you
pulled off were pretty raw and dirty.
mo one can bluff you,". Jim went
On, land the devil himself couldn't
scare you. If I'd had a son, I'd =
wanted him just like you"
II was brought up on the Streets
Sandy remarked caustically; "it was
up to me to beat the game, or get
kicked in the gutter"
"You did big thing for me when
you bobbed up on the witness stand,
without anyone asking YOU, and
proved an alibi for me in that Sheep
LAughlin shooting mess. You never
would talk to me about it-but I'd like
to know, kid, why you did it for me?"
"Ain't 1t the creed of the clan to
stick up for the under dog?' asked
Sandy.
"There was something more than
that back of your lying for me-" said
Jim shrewdly.
"Yes," at last admitted Sandy,
"there was. Once O'Connel pointed
you out to me as the man who'd rails
Cd fund to bury my mother and faith
or"
For q moment there was a deep 81
lence.
"It's queer what feelings will get
Q hold on us tough ones,' said Jim.
"Now, it's on Kitty's account that
what you did meant 80 much to me.
She thinks I'm just perfect; II any
thing'ud ever happen to me, l think
h'ud kill her"
Then Jim's manner changed; he
looked keenly at O'Connel.
with every one. crying to down
me, you saved me. or course. you
knew wasn't guiltyr'
"Of course" said Sandy quickly.
mix on any more Of this spiel. Boss."
well, you understand how I feel
toward you," said Jim. "any anything
you ever ask me you'll get when yoa
name It,"
"Jim,' Sandy said, suddenly lean
ing across the table. "I'm a man and
rm rich. came out of the gutter.
The ways by which I've raken in my
coins 'ud make saint die Of apoplexy.
"But I've sold out my pool room
5oints-and my interests in those
saloons. Now I'm going to couple up
with you, as you asked me, and make
q name for myself that my children
needn't be ashamed Of"
"You can do it, said Jim. when
we need any shady politics played
we1l get the other fellows to do the
sweating. From now on you can live
20 there1l be no come-backs."
"But do you thirk, Boss, can get
clubs and be gentleman"
Lord, yes; with your smooth ways
and good looks-why," with a bang
Jim's hand came down on the table,
"any club you want to join, you jus,
tell me, and If they don't open their
doors to you, I'll smash them open!"
"Mr. Bradley, sir" at last stammer
cd Sandy. standing and facing him,
II know I'm not fit yet. but in time.
II can learn to be a gentleman, can
marry your daughter?"
, why, you nutty guy!" cried Jim
aghast. "You amt in her class! !
tell you I'm going to make her a
princess!"
"She's princess already" replied
candy O'Connel.
"Have you been sneaking around
making love to herr" Jim demanded
fiercely.
NO. Sandy answered with dignity.
"Just the same, jim Bradley, / know
your daughter more than likes me-"
why, you-you amt fit to breathe
the same air she breathes."
II know that, Boss-still, IL she
loves me?-" questioned his lieuten.
antosharply.
'I1l send her abroad till she forgeta
you,s yelled Jim.
"Then you don't care for her hap
piness?" insisted Sandy. "All you
want Is for her to marry SO as to bring
you glory"
II took you into my business" an
swered Jim, mot into my family
catch the difference? let you into
this library, it's my side of the house
the rest Is hers-and don't you ever
again cross the dead line''
Sandy O'Connel, the former cham
pion East Side bouncer. felt his iron
muscles contracting. He tried to keeI
calm. In spite Of the boiling within
him.
ar H. al