The Washington herald., 1916-05-21
I PES
THE BOSS.
BY SARAH MOORE.

-" NS pOiihiSai history OF ward 10, He
was the hope OF Men Higher Up, who
encouraged, the one talent, and the
despair OF Father Malone, who seemed
70 be expected to help suppress the
other.
McGinty's carryings-on, particularly
uptown, are a disgrace to the par
lsh'' mourned Mrs, Sweeny, the priests
housekeeper.
But he's foIne broth of a bye"
maintained Mrs. Casey, who had con-
triouted slaps, pennies and cookies to
his early career. Sure, Providence
can Just sit back with folded hands
ana be aisy since A. J. got big enough
to have hand in the ward"
A. J. was an atfectionate substitute
for Aloysius Joseph, which many a
girl in the neighborhood hoped to
have engraved on her wedding an
nouncement when she had chance
to prove the miracle working power
of good woman's love.
Uptown McGinty's popularity had
been carefully built up-with his
pocketbook for a cornerstone.
In circles graced by our handsomest
show girls. song-writers and dramatic
critics he was a social success. Many
head walters paid off mortgages on
the old home shortly after he bought
his hrst dress suit.
He's natural born daredevil"
sighed Higher Up one morning
when headlines announced that A. US
'rwin-Six." laden with horse owners,
politicians and chorus, had been
wrecked, at 2 a, M, near the most dis
reputable rosdhouse on the county
map. McGintys arm and several good
names had been shattered by the acct
dent.
He's at natural born Wise Guy"
moaned the other Higher Up. He
wanted to give Smith the office l had
promised to Opgle. SO he took OpgIe
out and ran his d machine into
a lamp post. He knew opgles repu-
tatiop was the only breakable one in
the bunch. Opgle is a church member
and married one at that. This lit
tie story with the girls pictures is
going to raise -"
"D'you mean to say he always has
method in his madness"
He's dangerous"
And useful He's got his ward
sewed up as safely as a misers first
penny. And it's connected with so
many other voting centers that II
wouldn't be safe to monkey with the
wires"
He'd make a good congressman-"
But We can't afford to give that
office to man who will never go
any higher. A. J. would do in con-
gress. but he would have poor
chance to be senator or governor SO
long as he lives on a reputation for
inventing new drinks and compliments
for blonds"
A. j., himself, was beginning to
feel the irksomeness Of his Iimita-
tions. He had money and power far
outweighing that which went with or
dinary officeholding. But sometimes
he was troubled by ambitions that
vaguely interested him before his
waistcoats began to show a convex
curve.
II think I'll marry: try to put some
salt on the tailfeathers OF respecta-
bility." he conided 10 his pal, a we'll
to-do contractor who had manged to
retain their comradeship without be-
ing drawn into McGinty's after-the-
theater interests.
And what nice girl would have you?"
Knocked the contractors sister, who sat
correcting r pile OF school examination
papers at the other side OF the table
lamp.
A. J. frowncd. Alicia had been his de-
voted slave when she was a toddler and
he was hero with top and a cigar box
full of marbles. a difference in tempera-
ment and eight years in their ages barred
her from his notice after she had length
ened.
There are plenty OF girls who would
jump at a chance to have home and her
own automobile to say nothing Of a hus-
band in Washington" reproved her
brother.
Alicia went on making marks on the lit
crary efforts of her pupils.
L see; you want to buy a wife on the
motor -car-down and three-meaIs-a-da
plan"
McGinty laughed. but remembered her
comment. He still believed there were
plenty of willing girls who could, by
marriage. add dignity TO his reputation.
He would have her as good looking as
possible. When A. ]. described a lovely
woman his hands made sweeping waves
in the air.
Father Malone chuCkled at the Irish
mans resolution to settle down.
why don't you marry Alicia Ryan,"
he suggested. with mild malice.
McGiDty looked grieved but when he
next saw Alicia he looked at her care
fully. She was undoubtedly the smartest
and best-liked young woman in the ward
Perhaps If she had some feathers and
rings she might be better looking. He
supposed that she did not wear them be-
cause schooltea cher's pay was SO
small. She seemed fiat and white COM
pared with Tenderloin ideas of beauty
He wondered If she was thin because she
worked too hard
Alicia's mouse-brown tailor-made SEEM
ed touchingly modest-almost poverty
stricken. He felt she had no style at
all until he stumbled on a gathering of
women whose names headed the social
register. They were all slightly behind
the fashions: not noticeable at all.
Then. one night she telephoned to him
for help for one of her pupils The little
boy had been injured at play and his
father was out OF work. She wanted
to supply them with money for hospital
expenses and the necessities of life and
perhaps get a job for the father Charity
was one of the cardinal principles of
Democratic policy in the ward. so A. J.
offered to join her relief expedition and
accompanied her to the tenement. He
carried a large basket of groceries and
shouldered through the narrow door with
his best vote-seeking smile.
few minutes later Alicia sent him
flying for a doctor. When he saw her
again, several hours later. she was sit
ting beside an oil stove, wrapping a
newborn dead baby In a pillow case.
He let the plain little schoolteacher cry
on his shoulder as they drove home in
his big limousine. He did not realize that