The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1918-06-21
The Widows
Choice
O0
By.J. v. 2. BELDEN


N0NNAaNN
An air Of suppressed excitement per
vaded the little knots OF men at tho
street n There was a rumor
abroad that for the FIRST time IN twelve
years the Thirteenth ward would 20
Democratic, and Il was the night be-
fore election.
Strange men hPS 'scn seen for
more than a weeE .tonhollng the
leaders, and Il was a well-kn0wn fact
that II had been the strong person
nlity OF "the Old Man." rs he wal af-
~fectionntely called. that had held the
ward for the Republicans. When he
absolutely refused a denomination for
congress, and Barney Mulcahey's
name was put up. there wero signs
OF n change Of party.
The FIRST caller az the Widow
Fiynn'R saloon that night was Pat
Murphy. As he sldled up 20 the bar
the temptation was too great. lie
kissed the widow on the cheek. The
widow bridled up and goundly boxed
his ear.
take that" she cried, "for an i'm.
pldent ruscal. and Mike not n year
deadr"
"Sure now, Peggy" he protested,
you know I'm only waiting for de-
cency's sake, or I'd asked you az the
funeral. I've waited o ten years,
and it's n long time. Mike was a
friend OF mine, but l always be-
grudgcd him wan thing, and you know
what that was"
Flush your nonsense" she said. 81
have work 10 do this night and no
time for foolln'."
tits no foolin' TO me-" he NUT
tered.
s,They tell me-" continued the
widow "thnt the Thlrteenth's goin'
Dlmmycrntic. That's a folno way OF
stnndin' by the Old Man. / don't
think. What do they know Of the
Dimmycrnti / know him. l lived In
his family as second gurrl for two
years. There's where you see n man,
and. Pat Murphy. n he r~iprislnted the
party OF the ould sultan himself !
wouldn't vote for him. Now, listen
20 mo, do you work this night for
Barney Mulchahey for mimber OF
congress, and II he carries the ward
Republican, mnybe-now, mind you.
/ say maybe-rl listen to your non
sense. None o. that. now"-as he
leaned towards her. "And another
thing-I may keep a saloon, but II
you touch n drop OF whisky dom
come near me. dye hearf ! name H.
The city hall bell struck one. there
was a chatter In the engine house near
|, by. and at the stroke OF eight. rs the
horses settled themselves back II
their stalls, the crowd began TO mov'
towards the widows saloon. For Hh'
|, was pretty and popular, and all o.
/ Mikes old friends felt n certain re
Gponsibility when he was taken ~
! suddenly that hot July day.
Old Pat Reddy was speaking al
/, they cnme In. tits time We changed
I byea. Wed have voted for the Oh,
J Man as long as he'd run. Wheret
{ our pinaions been n he hadn't locke,
out for thimi But now he's out wee
! better 20 back to the old party"
: Yes" called the widow; "tt's
: pity the Old Man ever let go his hol
i on ye." She drew glass after glas
I OF beer and wiped on the COUNTER witt
. a fresh towel. NO one of you mel
= could fool him-he read you ever.
9 time but let u m go TO him will
= the words hunger and cold In he
= mouth. and his hand was In his poke
q ..A d. l.NN a N.u 90 aaUN Ia haN hall
: way while other men would be ask
u ing her name, and showing her IN
way OF the 'sassiety.' I suppose you
dne new Dimmycrat. Mr.. Monroe, vii
4 look after Us all, too. Well, let m
n tell you. you1l get left. | know hin
A well. and whin he goes 20 washin'toI
. he goes for the Honorable Peter Moi
. roe. Oh. It's lucky you have your pin
!. sions, for II 'ud be singn' ye woul'
% be for thin II you diplnded upon hin
1. l tell you. you'd better pin your fait
10 Barney Mulcnhey, and I'D like I
m cast eyes on the Jay what's tried I
queer him In the ward. All. ha,
N thought so" she said. as n well-drcsse
/" young Irlshman quietly slid out OF th
10 door.
"Pat Murphy" she called. "Foilo'
that fool Finnnignn. and don't let hit
NJ out O. your sight the night. n he b
gins 10 talk Monroe muzzle him."
N Murphy looked longlngly at N
flushed face OF the widow, and Will
,e pered over the bar; "Did you man
M whpt you said the nowf"
nj Try me and see" she laughed.
They say" growled the widow
cousin. "that Mulchhey's not a goo
Christian" lie looked around at hi
n audience and softly fingered a bill |
his pocket, the like Of which he hadn
I seen In many a day.
"You don't sayr cried the widow
"Much you know about Il. Wal
FOUR intintion TO run him for a bishop
I. What IL a good Chrisianf" 81
y laanad ovar the har and the men 10