The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-09-01

otcufr. lac
A rcd haired. unshavcn. un,sdy
man sat In a rocking chair by win.
dow. He had Just lighted pipe. and
was putting blue clouds with great
satisfaction lie had removed his
shoes and donned a pair OF blue.
faded carpet-siippers. With the NOR
bid thirst OF the confirmed daily
news drinkcr. he swkwsrdiy folded
back the pages OF an evening paper.
eagerly guIplng down the strong.
black headlines. TO be followed an a
chaser BY the mIider Details OF the
smaller type.
In an adjoining room woman
was cooking supper. odors from
strong bacon and boiling coffee con-
tended against the cut plug fumes
xrom the vesperrne pspe-
Outside was one OF those crowded
streets OF the east side. in which. as
twilight falls. Satan sets up his re-
erusting office. A mighty host OF
rhildr~n dnnced. and ran and played
n the street Some tn rags. some In
eIean white and berlbboned. some
Wild and restless as young hawks.
some shrieklns rude and sinful
words. Some listening. awed. but soon,
grown familiar. to ernbrac~--here
were the children playing in the cor
ridors Of the House OF sin Above
the playground forever hovered a
great bird The bird was known TO
humorists as the stork. But IN.
people OF chryxtie street were better
ornithologists. They called II vul-
Axure.
A little girl OF i2 came up timidly
10 the man reading and resting by
the window. and said.
Papa. won't you play game Of
checkers with me II you aren't too
tIredy"
The red-haired. unshaven. untidy
man sitting shocicss by the window.
answered. with frown.
"Checkers. No. I won't Can't a
man who works hard all day have a
little rest when he comes home?
why don't you go out and play with
the other kids on the sidewalk"
The woman who was cooking came
20 the door.
"John." she said, II don't like for
Lizzie to play in the street They
learn too much there that amt good
for 'em. she's been In the house all
day long. II seems that you might
give up a little OF your time 70
amusc her when you come home"
LET her go out and play like the
rest Of 'ern II she wants TO be
amused" said the red.haired. un,
shayen. untidy man. "and don't
bother me-"
you're on" said Kid Muilaly.
Fifty dollars to ,25 take Annie TO
the dance. Put up"
The Kids black eyes were snap.
ming with the fire OF the baited and
challenged. He drew out his roll
and slapped five tens upon the bar.
The three or four young fellows who
were thus taken" more slowly pro
duced their stake. The bartender.
kcx .officio stakeholder. took the mon
ey, iaboriously wrapped II. recorded
the bet with an inch-long pencil and
stuffed the whole into a corner Of
the cash register.
And, or, what1i be done 10 youTl
be a-plenty." said a bettor. with an.
ticipatory glee.
"That's my lookout" said the
kid" sterniy. Fiji 'em up all
around, Mike"
After the round Burke, the kids"
sponge, sponge-holder. pal. mentor
and grand yizier. drew him out 10
the bootblack stand at the saloon
corner where all the official and i'm
portant matters OF the Small Hours
T Social Club were settled. As Tony
poIished the light tan shoes OF the
clubs President and Secretary for
the fifth time that day. Burke spake
words Of wisdom to his chief.
"Cut that blond out, 'Kid'." was
his advice, "or there'il be trouble.
What do you want 10 throw down
that girl OF yours for7 You'll never
find one thatll freeze TO you like
Liz has She's worth hallful Of
Armies"
I'm no Annie admirerr' said the
kid" dropping a cigarette ash on
his polished toe and wiplpg II Off or
Tony's shoulder. "But / want 10
teach Liz a lesson. She thinks / be.
long 20 her. She's been Dragging
that daren't speak TO another girl
- liz is all right--in some ways. She's
s~{nLIno a iittlc too much lafeIv
And she uses language that lady
oughtn't."
"You're engaged, amt your" asked
Burke.
"sure. Wen get married next
year, maybe"
sr saw you make her drink her