The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-12-08
The Green Flag
That Was Red
BY WILLIAM FALL.
pyright. 1921. Western Newspaper Union

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 a grudge against
you, Denns?' she asked, fearful as all
women are at the thought that their
husbands positions are insecure.
mo, it's Commissioner Everett, bad
luck to him." said Dennis. "Nine-
teen Of us, Nora, woman, turned out
of our berths and set to pound the
sidewalks"
"Rut. 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 breathed. The new
docs Scotchman."
eff 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time they had been repealed. How
ever, on the morrow. as they had pub
Iirly advertised, they meant to march
over the bridge in a grand procession
to the city hall. And this the mayor
had sworn they should not do.
'"Therrll be nigh on a hundred Of
us, Nora," answered Flahprty 81
guess I 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 frowncd. Why this was
sacrilegr. 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 dispense
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
| had gathered into well-organiZed de-
! tachment and started toward the
| bridge. In front Of 1t marched two
| men. each carrying a huge red flag.
On they came. toward the center Of
| the bridge. whore Flaherty stood. The
music sounded loudly. the flags waved.
| cheers and yells came from the
| threats Of thousands The sidewalks
were lined with snectators A faint
ness overcame Dennis. He strobe for
ward with unified club.
"Stop that" ne yelled. "Ston right
| there. boys. The first man that sets
| his foot forward, TIL 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
| co0lly and contemptuouSly. Dennis
| felt his wrath overcome his reason.
! He sprangn forward and began club
bling right and left. He seized the
nearest flag The mob beat against
him like an invading sea. A thousand
voices clamored for his blood. 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 be 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, but the
police commissioner.
Drunk and ran amuck 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 pur1oin one flag, the
! property Of the organization. What
have you to say?'
"Twas the strikers wild their rec
flags I fought and alone cried Fla
! herty.
"Red flag! snorted the commission
err "Since when has the red flag beer
the symbol of Ireland's glory, my
/ man? That flag was "a green as tho
! emerald grass Of Ireann.'
"'Iwas as red aS-aS that cri"'
Dennis. pointing to tattered en-
blem in a corner of the room
"RcgoTa. that's the very flag"
yelled the captain. Hes drunk still
Commissioner
e., Ia.