The Raymer enterprise., 1922-07-06
The Green Flag
That Was Red
D w1LLIAM FALL.
pyr.sht. 1881. Western Newspaper Union.

AvesN NSOAs JS0to VI bAC0Oy ucoA WOhhs
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
'"rhey haven't got q grudse against
you, Dennisi" 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. "Nine-
teen Of us. Nora, woman. turned out
Of our berths and set to pound the
sidewalks"
But. Dennis" suggssted his wife.
hopefully. didn't the doctor say your
eyes wasn't at for patrol duty and
you'd have to do desk duty insteadfe
THAT was Doc Flanagan, as good a
Cork man as ever breathed. The new
docs Scotchman."
III 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 II 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.
"There'll be nigh on q hundred Of
us. Nora" answered Flaherty. II
guess ! 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 1.-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 immlnent!
This was Flaherty's post. here on the
bridge.
'1'll teach EN-. the dogs. playing
that tune" he muttered. The crowd
had rathered into well-orRanixed de.
tnchmenf nnd started toward the
bridge. In front Of Il marched two
men each carrying a huge red flag.
On they came. toward the center NJ
the bridge. where Flaherty stood. The
music sounded loudly the Aags waved
cheers and yells came from the
thrcnts Of Thousands. The sidewalks
were lined with spectators. A faint.
ness overcame Dennis. He strobe for.
r.ard with npllfted club.
"Stop that!" he yelled. "Stop right
there. boys. The first man that sets
his foot forward. ri bate his brains
nut."
The crowd surged backward and
forward. and then. IT a word Of com.
mand from It's leaders. advanced
again. The men with the flags smiled
coolly and contemptuously. Dennis
felt his wrath overcome his reason
He sprang forward and began club
hing right and left. He seized the
nearest nag. The mob beat against
him like an invading sea. A thousand
voices clamored for his blood. The
aag was wrenched out Of HIS hand
Then the mob surged forward over
his PROSTATE body.
"Flaherty. the Caps Whiting 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. Dem
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.
"Drnnk and ran amuck right Inio
the midst OF them. commissioner" he
heard the captain saying.
"You are accused Of attacking the
narade Of Loyal American Hlbernians
rlaherty." said his captain. ALSO Of
attempting to purioin one flag. the
property Of the organization. What
have you to say~
"Twas the strikers Wild their red
Anrs ] fought and Alone" cried Fla
herty.
"Red fag!" snorted the commission.
er. "Slnce when has the red flag been
the symbol Of Treland's glory. my
man? That flag was as green a. the
emerald grass of Ireland"
"Twas as red as-as that!" cried
Dennis. pointing to tattered EN-.
blem in q corner Of the room.
"Begorra. that's the very dag!"
yelled the captain. Hes drunk still.
Commissioner"