Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-16
CHAPTER III

MIX. JEROME BECK settled back III
4Vl the roomy embrasure of the seat
and exhalcd loudly, his shoulder ant
shoe touching hers.
She settled herself out of their range
Nov, now, snuggle up a little
Pcachy."
She shifted back to her first position
That's better"
"Ain't il q swell night?'
Now we're comfy-eh?'
They were nosing through snarl
Of traffic and over streets wet and Shiny
with thaw. Men with Overcoats flung
over their arms side stepped the snout
OF the car. Delicatessen and candy shop
doors stood wide open. Children shrilled
in the grim shadows of thousand ten
ant tenement houses.
"Well. Peachy, how are you? Peachy
is just the name for you. ch? Cause
I'd like to take n bite right out of
you-eh. Peachy? How are you?"
Fine and--and dandy"
Look at me-
saw !"
'Look at me, I say. you pretty little
peach, with them devilish black eyes
yours and them lips that's got cherry
on EN-"
Honest. you'r the limit, -
whats your eyes red fOr:'
'ThcN-thcy amt
''Cryin o.
Like fun"
You know what I'd do if | thought
you'd been crying? I'd just kiss them
tears right away"
Eyes. you would not"
Little devil "
"Quit calling me that" But she col
( ored as if his tribute had been sheath
of lilies.
They veered corner sharply, skid
ding on the wet asphalt and all but
grazing the rear wheels of recreant
taxicab.
''But. sub. l.
''None of your black back talk"
Jerry - She was shivering. and a
veil of tears formed over her hot, NOR
titled eyes. Gee what are you made
of? You seen he couldn't help it when
that taxi turned into us so sudden.
He relaxed against her. ''Aw. did |
scare the little Peachy? That the way
they gotta be handled. amt ready
by llong shot to let black devil spill
my brains
'Shh-h. He couldn' tt
Sure he could. if he watched. fIcs
bargain | picked up cheap, anyways.
cause he's lame and cant hold down
ways pay. But I'll break his black
back for him if Aw, now, now, did
/ scare the little peach? Gee! |
couldn't do nothing but kill you with
Kindness if you was driving for me.
I'D just let you run me right off this
road into the Hudson ocean if YOU was
driving for me-"
They were driving out toward the
frayed edge of the city. where great
stretches of sign plastercd vacant lots
began to yawn between isolated patches
lof buildings and the river ran close
enough alongside of them TO reflect
their leftward lights. She smiled, but
as if her lips were bruised.
at amt none of my put but lie
couldn't help it, and ] hate for you to
yell at anybody like that, Jerry"
"Aw,. aw. did / scare the little
Peacl Watch me show the. little
\ Toots mice can be when want
fo -. hwH'
,3sh She hkcd back the cver-rocurri"s
"AlI tired out. too; all tired out.
Wait till YOU see what I'm going ia
buy you tonight. A great big beef
steak with mushrooms as big as dollars
and piping hot German fried potatoes
and onions. Mm-mm. And more
bubbles than you can wink your eye at.
Aw-aw. such poor cold little hands
and no gloves to warm en-. Wouldn't
] just love TO wrap little Peachy like
you up in big fur coat and put them
little cold hands in great big muf
and hang some great big headlight ear.
rings in them little bttsic cars
Wouldn't I though. NJ -mm! Poor
little hands :"
Her wrath of smile dissolved in {
squirt of hot tears which flowed Oyel
her words
Sec! Amt I the nut to--to cry
It'll be ali right in minute
~ knew when ! seen them rcd eye
the little Peochy wasn't up to snuff
aud her cute little devilishike ways
What's hurting you, UOOtsic? Beer
bounced? You should worry. I'm goin:
to steal YOU out of that cellar. any
ways. Been bounced?''