South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-29
BETWEEN ROUNDS
By o. Henry

wash basin az the head OF his matri-
monial adversary. Mrs. McCaskey
lodged IN time. She reached for a
aatlron, with which. as a sort Of
cordial. she hoped 70 bring the gas
trOnamical duel 20 a close. But
loud wailing scream downstairs
caused both her and Mr. McCaskey
90 pause In a sort OF involuntary
armistice
on the sidewalk al the corner Of
the house Policeman Cleary was
standing with one ear upturned. lis
tcning 70 the crash OF household
utensils.
''Tis Jawn McCaskey and his
nlissis at 10 again. meditated the po-
llceman. CT wonder shall I go up and
stop the row / will not Married
folks they are asd few pleasures
they have. Twill not last long. Sure,
they'll have 10 borrow more dishes
% keep IL VI with"
And just then came the loud
scream below-stairs betoking fear or
dire extremely. It's probably the
cat" said Policeman Cleary, and
walked hastily in the other direction.
The boarders on the steps were
fiuttered. Mr.. TOomey, an insurance
solicitor by birth and an investigator
BY profession, went inside 70 analyze
the scream he returned with the
news that Mrs. MUrphy's little boy.
Mike. was lost. Following the mes
senger, out bounced Mrs. Murphy
/ two hundred pounds In tears and
/ Mysteries. clutching the air and howl
ing 10 the sky for the loss OF thirty
pounds OF freckles and mischief
3 rrff = aHr sal
down at the side OF Miss Purdy, Mil
linery. and their hands came to-
gether IN sympathy. The two old
maids, Misses Walsh. who COM
/ planned every day about the noise in
/ the halls, inquired Immediately If
anybody had looked behind the
! clock.
Major Grlgg. who sat by his fat
wife on the top step, arose and but
toned his coat. THE little one lost?"
he exclaimed. Il will scour the city"
/ His wife never allowed him out after
/ dark. But now she said. Go, Ludo-
vicl" In a baritone voice. Whoever
can look upon that mothers grief
without springing 20 her relief has
/ a heart Of stone" Give me thirty
or sixty cents, my love-" said the
major Lost children sometimes
/ stray far. I may need carfares."
Old man Denny, hall room, fourth
floor back. who sat on the lowest
step, trying to read a paper by the
street lamp. turned over a sage "a
follow up the article about the car
ipentar's strike. Mrs. Murphy shrie keC
10 the moon: "Oh, ar-r-NIfke. Fl
| Gawd'S sake, where is me little bi
av a boy2"
''When'd We see him last?" asked
old man Denny, with one eye on the
report of the Building Trades league
Oh walled Mrs. Murphy, twas
yesterday, or maybe four hours ago
dunno. But it's lost he is, me little
boy Mike. He was playin' on the side.
walk only this mornin'-or was i
Wednesday? I'm that busy witt
work, tbs hard TO keep M with
dates. oh. for the love av Hiven-'
No calamity so touches the com
mon heart Of humanity as does the
straying of a little child. Their fee
are so uncertain and feeble; the ways
are so steep and strange.
I Major Griggs hurried down 70 the
corner, and up the avenue into Billy's
place. Gimme a rye-high." he .saic
I 10 the servitor. Haven't seen a bow
legged, dirty-faced little devil OF q
six-year-old lost kid around her,
anywhere, have you?"
Mr.. Toomey retained Miss Purdy',
hand on the steps Think of tina
dear little babe" said Miss Purdy
lost from his mothers side-per.