The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-07-27
MIKE AND MARY M'C0RTY
IN THEIR HAVEN OF LOVE
Written for The Labor World
BY A. C.. GALE.

Inc 1lrSL LnlnS / remember ABOUT
Mike McGorty was when the Presi-
dents daughter, Miss Ethel, brought
that little imp Of Satan, Danny Nc
Bride, to me and asked m to use him
as an office boy. She had picked him
up in the juvenile court, a wait, alley
rat and about the toughest specimen
of East Side New York urchin I had
ever seen. I liked Miss Ethel pretty
we'll and had wild dreams that per-
way, that might win the old mans
daughter for wife and thus be sure
Of a position in the Complex COM
pany for life, so took Denny in the
office. He told. me that he had no
home or place to live, so when Mike
Meg orty, the. janitor, same around
during the afternoon to empty the
waste baskets, figured perhaps this
big son Of Erin might tell me of some
place to board Danny. Big Mike
heard the story and then and there
took Danny to himself and his home.
So I had that matter off my mind:
After that Mike would stop for a mo-
ment in my office and gossip lit
tie. I got to like the Irishman i'm
mensely. In moments of relaxation
when the business grind was stilled
for a spell, Danny would often tell
me Of the pleasant home he had with
the McGortys. He was full Of praises
for Mikes wife, Mary. Gradually the
affairs of the little household on the
East Side interested me. Being a
bachelor, guess like all single men,
I was curious about things of home
life and doubtless asked both Mike
and Danny many questions. One eve
ming Mike came in the office and
stood with his hat in his hand while
I was busy on the phone. What is
It'll, Mixer I asked, hanging up the
receiver. "Sure, boss, it's hopin'
amt botherin' ye, but the woman says
to me, she says. boss, do We suppose.
Mike, the big boss would some mite
honor US by tina presence O. his COM
pany?" He looked at me kind Of
scared, for the lines of dignity were
drawn tight in the Complex company
and I must admit we officers felt our
oats pretty strongly. I laugheA and
Mike started for the door. II allied
him back and told him some hight
L certainly would go over with him
to his little castle.
Danny was full of suppressed ex-
element a few weeks later. I could
see that he was fairly bursting to tell
me something. The mail was all
stacked and ready for the wagon
when he slipped over to my desk and
whispered to me. >"Say, boss, termor-
row is de mite we celebrates an Mike
he saz ter me, ask de big bossef he
will join wild us in de big doin's as it's
de foist anniversary o. Mike an Mary
bein' hitched in de marryin' stunt"
- I told Danny to assure Mike I
would be his guest.
The next: night Mike, Danny and
I took a. Third avenue car up to De-
lancy street where had my first real
view of the tenement district by gas
light Mike led the way down the
crowded street. At the corner he
turned into a saloon and we followed
close behind. To be frank didn't
want to be far from Mike in that sec
ton. With great ceremony he in
troduced me to Larry Doyle, the sa-
loon man, and I really blushed when
heard him tell Larry what a fine
boss he had to work for.
When we got out in the street once
more Mike pulled us in a. doorway
and gave US instructions for our en-
trance as this was to be a surprise
party on his Mary. He disappeared
up the dark stairway. I held Danny's
arm as we 'tiptoed behind the. clatter
of Mikes big feet on the board steps
On the third floor Mike raped on a
door, Danny and hung back on the
landing. In the square OF light
saw the plump form of a woman and
knew it must be Mary.
'Where hav' We bin, We scalpeen ?
he demanded, there wild me a. waitin
an bakin' over tina hot stove an !
know. We hav bin drinkin' wild tho
scaonp o. a.. Doyle. Yer moneys a
,goitA fer drink whin tina big prices
me eatin's is costin' me-"
Tut, tut, me darlin' it. yer Mike
that's askin' a kiss from yer prett,
lips" He edged in the doorway ane
took the plump figure in his Drawn,
Jaw, go on wild We an yer blarney
it's mad I am" but could see Mary
was smiling up at.t1ae big janitor.
Danny and I still held back in thu
shadows of the hall. 49,,
Nov Mary, me own, do We know
wot day this is, ;mavourneen?"
Sure, Mike, IT'S Tuesday I kno
tho cause it's tina tronin'' I hav' ;;Sbil
DOM tina whole day, me bye"
''Think agin, me Rose o Killarney
| wot's tina day?" ~
"Oh, Mike, it's me: anniversary q
mafryin''. ye AMI forgets,' 50 I do; t!
go to church this. mornin. an prais
tina saints fer: givin' ye' ter me- -
I could see Mike smiling down a
the rosy face upturned to his. Il
my ignorance Of such things guesse'
this must be love.
''Now lissen me darlint, it's rite y