Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-11-16
used to. You wouldn't want to know

used to. You wouldn't want to know
them"
But you do"
II had to-" said Michael desperate
". They needed something and I
had to help them"
Up to this point Will French had
been Ire that Michael had fallen in
to the hands of a set of sharpers, but
something in his companions tone
made him turn and look, and he saw
Michael's face uplifted i'll the light Of
the street lamp, glowing with a kind
of intent earnestness that surprised
and awed hinA
Look. here, man." he said. TELL
me who they are, and what you are
doing, anyway" $50
Michael told him in. a few words,
saying little about himself, or his
reason for being interested in the
alley in the first place. There were a
He was trying to teach them a few
things. reading and figures and a lit
tile manual training. Something to
make life more than a round Of suf-
tfering and sin.
us it settlement work?" asked
French. He was puzzled and Interest
ed.
".No," explained Michael, there's a
settlement, but it's too far away and
got too big a district to reach this
alley, It's just my own little work"
Who pays you for it?"
Who pays me?"
Yes, who's behind the enterprise |? ?
Who forks owe the funds and pays
|you for our job?"
Michael laughed long and loud.
sNo1l nnuy T hadn't tbn,ubf about
!pay, but I guess the kiddies them
selves do. You can't think how they
enjoy it ALL"
Hint! said French. II think I'll
go along and see how you do it. I
won't scare EN- out, will IL
well, now L hadn't thought of
that, "sfisaid Michael. ''In fact, 1 didn't
suppose you'd care to go all the way,
but if you think you do, I guess it will
be all right"
mot a very warm" welcome, / must
say" laughed Will, but Tn going just
the same. You get me in and Ill
guarantee not to scare the crowd.
Have any time left over from your
studies for amusement? II YOU do
might come in on that. 1 can do
tricks"
Can you?" said Michael looking at
ven see. Pm afraid you'll be dis.
appointed. It's very informal. Some
times we don't get beyond the first
steE in q lesson. SometimesfI have
to stop and tell stories"
Good. said Will. I'D like tc
hear you."
! 'oh. you wouldn't enjoy it., blu,
there are a few books there. You
might read If YOU get tired looking
around the room"
And SO Michael and his guest enter.
ed the yellow and white room, togeth.
Jer.. Michael lit the gas,st and viii
looked about blinking In amusement.
Coming through the alley to the
room had taken away Willis exclama.
tory powers and exhausted his yoca'
ibulary. The room in its white sim
,plicity, Immediately kept, and con.
stantly in touch with fresh paint Il
hide any stray finger marks, stood on,
in startling contrast with the region.
bround about 1t. Will took it all in
paint, paper, and pictures. The tin,
stove glowing warmly, the improviset
seats, the blackboard In the, corner
and the bits OF life as manifested II
geranium, butterfly cocoons and bird,
and hne and embarrassed, in the cen
tier Of 1t all.
"Great scott!!' he exclaimed. 'Il
this an enchanted island, OF, am / II
my right mind ~"
But before he could be answered
there can,e the sound Of clatterint
young feet and a tumult outside tn,
door. Then eager painting, bu'
sdecorous. they entered, some Will
clean faces most OF them with clear
hands. or moderately 70, all Will
their caps OF In homage I theil
sseErince and Michael welcomed then
sassifshe stood in q luxurious drawing
s0oft on Fifth avenue and these werl
ShlDs guestSs
No Introduced them and viii en-
atereds Into the spirit Of the affair ant
1sfeetedsAfhenn schummily. They stoot
fshyixS0N from him at first with grea
1eyeA ~ suspict0Hs huddled together Ii
iasgronp near Michael, but later wheI
1.-THE less0nSs0h the blackboard "a,
lover and Michael was showing a &c
INF plcture1 ytlii sat down In q cor
hef lsNttb AfEtng from his pocket AM
/ bisean si,ovvfns Two Of the boldcst .