, 1918-05-23
The Widows
Choice
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By ]. v. 2. BELDEN
Copyright By Tho Frank A. Munsey Col

~
An air Of suppressed excitement per-
vaded the little knots of men at the
street There was a rumor
abroad that for the first time in twelve
years the Thirteenth ward would go
Democratic, and 1t was the night be-
fore election.
Strange men had been seen for
more than a week buttonholing the
leaders, and 1t was a well-known fact
that 1t had been the strong person
ality of "the Old Man." as he was af-
fectionately 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 were signs
Of a change of party.
The first caller at the Widow
Flynn's saloon that night was Pat
Murphy. AS he sided up to the bar
the temptation was too great. He
kissed the widow on the cheek. The
widow bridled up and soundly boxed
his ear.
'"Take that" she cried, "for an i'm
pident rascal, and Mike not a year
deadl"
Sure now, Peggy" he protested,
"you know I'm only waiting for de-
cency's sake, or I'd asked you at the
funeral. I've waited now ten years,
and it's a long time. Mike was a
friend of mine, but I always be-
grudged him wan thing, and you know
what that was"
"Hush your nonsense" she said. II
have work to do this night, and no
time for foolin'."
Its no foolin' to me-" he NUT
tered.
"They tell me-" continued the
widow. "that the Thirteenth's goin'
Dimmycratic. That's a foine way Of
standin' by the Old Man, L don't
think. What do they know of the
Dimmycrat2 1 know him. I lived in
his family as second gurrl for two
years. There's where you see a man,
and, Pat Murphy, If he ri%prisinted the
party of the ould sultan himself I
wouldn't vote for him. Now. listen
to me, do you work this night for
Barney Mulchahey for mimber of
y COS, uAu IL Ito IulliCS NV "hib
Republican, ~maybe-now. mind you,
I say maybe-Tl listen to your nor
sense. None o. that, now"-as. he
leaned towards her. "And another
thing-I may keep a saloon, but II
you touch a drop Of whisky don't
come lear me. dye hear? I name 1t"
The city hall bell struck one, there
was a clatter In the engine house near.
by, and at the stroke Of eight, as the
horses settled themselves back in
their stalls, the crowd began to move
towards the widows saloon. For she
was pretty and popular, and all OF
Mikes old friends felt a certain re-
sponsibility when he was taken SC
suddenly hat hot July day.
Old Pat Reddy was speaking as
they came in. TITS time we changed,
byes. We'd have voted for the Old
Man as long as he'd run. Where'd
our pinsions been If he hadn't looked
out for thin? But now he's out we'd
better go back to the old party"
Eyes," called the widow; 'ft's a
pity the Old Man ever let go his holt
on ye." She drew glass after glass
of beer and wiped off the counter with
a fresh towel. "No one of you men
could fool him-he read you every
time; but let a oma go to him with
the words hunger and cold In her
mouth, and his hand was in his pocket
and a half a ton Of coal in her hall
way while other men would be ask
ing her name, and showing her the
way Of the 'Sassiety.' 1 suppose your
fine new Dimmycrat, Mr.. Monroe, will
look after US all, too. Well. let me
tell you, you'll get left. 1 know him
well, and whin he goes to Washin'ton
he goes for the Honorable Peter Mon
roe. oh, It's lucky you have your PIN
sions, for 1t 'ud be singin' We would
be for thin If you dipinded upon him.
I tell you, you'd better pin your faith
to Barney Mulcahey, and I'd like to
cast eyes on the jay what's tried to
queer him in the ward. All, ha, 1
thought So" she said. as a well-dressed
young Irishman quietly slid out of the
door.
"Pat Murphy" she called. Follow
that fool Flanagan, and don't let him
out o. your sight the night. II he be-
gins to talk Monroe muzzle him."
Murphy looked longingly at the
flushed face of the widow, and whis-
pered over the bar: ibid you name
whst you said the nowT"
TRY me and see" she laughed.
'They say" growled the widows
cousin, "that Mulcahey's not a good
cbrtstion1 He looked around at his