Catoctin clarion., 1921-11-17
The Green Flag
That Was Red
BY WILLIAM FALL.

To be put back on patrol. duty stcr
fourteen years Of steady desk work,
and when one Is approaching forty
and conscious of an increasing girth,
Is enough to distress any ordinarily
constituted policeman. Dennis Fla
herty was no exception to the rule.
He told his wife the news at dinner.
"They haven't got grUdge against
you. Dennis?" she asked. fearful as all
women are at the thought that their
husbands positions are insecure.
"No, it's Commissioner Everett, bad
luck to him." said Dennis. ,"Nlne-
teen OF us. Nora. woman. turned out
Of our berths and set to pound the
sidewalks"
"But. Dennis" suggested his wife,
hopefully. didn't the doctor say your
eyes wasn't fit for patrol duty and
you'd have to do desk duty instead?"
"That was Doc Flanagan, as good
Cork man as ever hreathed. The new
docs SrOtchmap."
"If l can't do desk work I'll show
'em they've got the best cop in town
down at the quay. Nora" he said to
his wife at the end Of the first day.
They've never put you on post
down there!" exclaimed his wife In
horror.
The Quay was the name locally
given to the bridge which crossed the
river between two factory districts.
The strikers had constantly endeav-
Ored to cross It In parade. but each
time they had been repelled. How
ever. on the morrow. as they had pub
licly advertised. they meant to march
over the bridge in grand procession
to the city hall. And this the mayor
had sworn they should not do.
""rhere'll be nigh on q hundred Of
US. Nora" answered Flaherty. II
guess 1 can take care Of meself, wo-
man."
He felt prouder than ever Of his
uniform on the next day when. stand
ing in platoon with his comrades. he
watched the mob forming In the lower
section Of the town. There was the
sound Of distant music. Flaherty
started and frOwned. Why. this was
sacrilege. The band was playing 'The
Wearing Of the Green"
Flaherty gripped his club tighter.
He looked at the lieutenant in charge.
He had ordered the men to disperse
to their own posts Did he not know,
then. that an attack was imminent?
This was Flaherty's post, here on the
bridge.
'I'll teach 'em, the dogs. playing
that tune!" he muttered. The crowd
had gathered into o well-organized de-
tachment and started toward the
bridge. In front Of 1t marched two
men. each carrying huge red flag.
On they came. toward the center Of
the bridge. where Flaherty stood. The
music sounded loudly. the flags waved
cheers and yells came from the
threats Of thousands. The sidewalks
were lined with spectators. A faint
ness Overcame Dennis. He strode for
ward with uplifted club.
"Stop that !" he yelled. "StOp right
there. boys. The first man that sets
his foot forward, I'll bate his brains
out"
The crowd surged backward and
forward and then. at word Of COM
mand from Its leaders. advanced
again. The men with the flags smiled
coolly and contemptuOusly.e Dennis
felt his wrath overcome his reason.
He sprang forward and began clnh-
hing right and left. He seized the
nearest flag. The mob beat against
him like an invading sea. A thousand
voices clamOred for his hlaOd.' The
flag WAS wrenched out of his hand.
Then the mob surged forward over
his PROSTATE body.
"Flaherty, the Caps waiting to see
you" said the man who was bathing
his forehead.
Dennis opened his eyes. The swim
ming room was the district police
quarters. Then this battered. aching
man on the cot must he himself. Den
Mis- Flaherty. But he had done his
duty. He rose to his feet and stag
gered into the captains rOOm--to con-,
front not the captain alone, hut the
police commissioner.
Drunk and ran annex right into
the midst Of them. commissioner" he
heard the captain saying.
"YOu are accused Of attacking the
parade Of Loyal American Hibernians.
Flaherty." said his captain. "AlsO Of
attempting to purloin one flag, the
property Of the organization. What
have you to sayf"
""Twas. the strikers wild their red
fngs fought and alone" cried Fla
herty.
"Red fagl" snortcd the commission
er. "Since when has the red flag been
the symbol Of Ireiand's glory. my
man? That flag was as green as the
emerald grass of Ireland"
"'Twas as red as-as that!' cried
Dennis. pointing to tattered en-
hlem In a corner of the room.
"Beg0rra. that's the very fag"
yelled the captain. Hes drunk still,
Commissioner"
~ think this is a case for DR.. Nc
Derm0tt." said the commissioner smil-
ing. IT'S all right my man." he add
ed. "You can 90 home on sick leave
now. I think, Captain, II McDermott
agrees with my diagnosis, may re-
woke my order concerning desk duty
In this special instance"
UYn,, GOO Morn " arnlainad her huS-