The Monroe journal., 1919-01-03
The Widows
Choice
00
By.I. v. 2. BELDEN
tCopyrisht By The prank A kunsey CoJ

aDruau tllat lOr tne nr>t time IN tNelN
years the Thirteenth ward would &
Democratic. and il was the night be
fore election.
Strange men had been seen 70
more than week buttonholing IN
leaders, and il was weil-known fac
that ii had been the strong person
ality of the Old Man" as he was ai
fectiunately called, that had held IN
ward for the Republicans. When h.
absolutely refused denomination 10
congress. and Barney Mulcahey,
name was put up. there were sign
Of change of party.
The first caller at the Widow
Flynn's saloon that night was Pa
Murphy As he sidled up to the ba
the temptation was too great. H.
kissed the widow on the cheek. Th
widow bridled up and soundly boxe,
his ear.
Take that" she cried, "for an i'm
pident rascal, and Mike not yea
dead"
Sure now. Peggy" he protested
"you know I'm only waiting for de
cency'S sake. or I'd asked you at tn,
funeral. I've waited now ten years
and lis long time. Mike was [,
friend Of mine. hut always be
grudged him wan thing. and you know
what that was"
Hush your nonsense" she said. 90
have work to do this night. and n,
time for foolin'."
ITS no foolin' to me-" he nut
tered.
They tell me-" continued tn,
widow that the Thirteenth's goin
Dimmycratic. That's foine way OF
standn' by the Old Man., | dom
think. What do they know Of the
Dimmycrat? | know him. lived IL
his family as second gurrl for two
years There's where you see man
and, Pat Murphy, If he riprisinted the
party of the ould sultan himself ]
wouldn't vote for him. Now, listen
TO me, do you work this night fol
Barney Mulchahey for mimber OF
congress, and if he carries the ward
Republican, maybe-now. mind you
/ say maybe-Ill listen TO your non.
sense. None O. that, now"-as he
leaned towards her. 'And another
thing-I may keep saloon, but II
you touch drop of whisky don't
come near me. dye hear? l name it,
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 certain re-
sroGSbility when he was taken sc
suddenly that hot July day.
Old Pat Reddy was speaking as
they came in. IT'S 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 90 back TO the old party"
Yes" called the widow; its
pity the Old Man ever let go his holt
on We" She drew glass after glass
of beer and wiped off the counter with
a fresh towel. mo one of you men
could fool him-he read you every
time; but let woman 90 to him with
the words hunger and cold in her
mouth, and his hand was in his pocket
and half ton Of coal in her hall
way while other men would be ask
ing her name. and showing her the
way of the 'Sassiety.' | suppose your
fine new Dimmycrat, Mr.. Monroe, will
look after us all, too. Well, let me
tell you, you'll get left. / 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
si0ns, for ii 'ud be singin' ye would
be for thin If you dipinded upon him.
! 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, ]
thought So" she said, as 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. If he be-
gins to talk Monroe muzzle him."
Murphy looked longingly at the
flushed face of the widow. and whis-
pered over the bar: did you name
what you said the now?'
"Try me and see" she laughed.
"Tley say growled the widows
cousin, that Mulcahey's not good
Christian He looked around at his
audience and softly fingered bill in
his pocket, the like Of which he hadn't
seen in many day.
"You don't say" cried the widow,
"Mucb you know about it. Was II
your intintion TO run him for bishopi
What is Il good Christianf" She
leaned over the bar and the men fell
silent.
"Now, I'll tell you some things
about Mulcahey that you don't know,
How NANNY of Won xvauld hoyQ hppu