Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-05

Copyright, 1916. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
Jim Kenny, lineman, went straight
home from the Golden Rod saloon
! that Is, as straight as his uncertain
legs would carry him. He knew that
II the boss at the electric light com.
pany should see him he would be
fired" This had been the ultimatum
delivered in strong terms on the &C.
casion fthe last offense
; When the lineman entered his com.
Portable home little Jimmy rushed Joy.
ously to embrace his father. At the
sudden impact big Jim's equilibrium
was overthrown and he fell helplessly
across the dining room couch, where
he remained to listen to the inevitable
and deserved berating from his wife.
| Carrie was as stout as Jim was lean
but her embonpoint was not symbolic
of good nature.
"Jim Kenny" she cried sharply,
you've been drinkin' again and vast.
| in, your money In the s'loon--and me
slavin' to get you q nice supper-and
me kept waiting this hour"
As matter of fact the supper had
been culled from a nearby delicatessen
shop, for Mrs. Kenny cooked with a
/ canopener." Under, ordinary circum-
stances Jim would have reminded her
of this fact, but he was too drowsy.
So she proceeded: ...-- ..
| you're on the job tonight, too. All
the wires are down from the storm"
A knock interrupted her and she
! opened the door to Dillon and McCon-
way, her husbands mates. ..,. .-
Come on, Jim," they called. TITS
Park Hill tonight" ra u..
! Between them they got him on his
feet, forced him to drink q cup Of mud.
dy, coffee and supported him down the
/, stairs. AS the auto truck whizzed into
! the suburbs the keen October air
cleared his head somewhat When
they reAched Park Hill Jim managed
to climb pole, though his long legs
In the spiked boots seemed to belong
to some one else. For time habit
worked for him; then, without warn.
ing, he fumbled lost his balance,
| struck out wildly and fell crashing to
| the ground.
A month later he came from the hos.
pital q cripple, with but one leg. At
/ the electric light company Jim declar.
ed firmly that he was through with
| drink, as indeed he was; but the boss
could give him no work.
Then began hard times for the Ken.
4 nys. In this they were not alone, for
thousands found themselves in the
same straits. The great war had dealt
New York business a mighty blow and
! everywhere men were seeking employ.
ment
Jim Kenny had pluck, but no right
leg and no pull" Pull, had he pos.
sessed It., would have served him bet
| tier than two legs OF. more. For days,
weeks and months Jim looked for
work, only to find scores OF able bodied
men clutching at every job. STILL he
kept his courage and stumped hope.
fully about on "Peggie, as he had
christened his peg-leg.
When no man size job could be
found Jim sold papers to exc out what
he received from the charities. At
first Carrie had made Intellectual at.
tempts to earn money. After q time
she did nothing except to uphraid her
; husband for their misfortunes Her
reproaches he bore patiently for he
had provided for himself handicap
/
| On bitterly cold afternoon he re-
/ turned tired and hungry to- the one
room they now occupied. Everything
was in disorder. The bed was unmade
! the floor unswept. Little Jim was as
neglected looking as his surroundings
Carrie sat idly, with her feet on the
broken stove.
Hello Jimmie called his father,
cheerfully Here's Pop, and 'Peggie.'"
How much money've you got?" de.
manded Carrie.
He pulled some pennies from his
pocket. only enough for. something to
eAt," he replied soberly.
She burst in copious tears.
And this is what we've come to
with your drinkin' and losin' your leg I!
wonder at your jokin' about Peggy
and me without even nickel for the
movies!"
you had enough to buy this!' Jim
retorted, kicking the beer can into a
, corner Don't talk about my drink.
in! never touch drop now, and
you know it.,
well, you did. A one-legged man is
no good anyhow. I've mind to get
out!"
The next night when Jim came home
he found Jimmie alone and scrawl
/ from Carrie pinned to the mirror. She
had found place as waitress in q
restaurant-where she did not specify
-and she would look out for herself
! Jim took his boy on his knee and for