The mirror., 1923-06-14
THE FIGURE IN BRONZE
PART II
BY Mr.. Fl. W.

HaS> The season had advanced into summer. The
@coudless July nights gave little promise of the
much needed rain, and the long sultry days seemed
endless The torrid heat of the preceding days had
parched and baked the earth, and shriveled the few
shrubs plants weeds, and tiny plots of grass dreary
yellow crisp Only in the better weahier parts of
the city, and in the public parks where the lawn sprnk
lers twired their cool and refreshing sprays through
out the nights there any green spots flowers to
relieve the bleak monotony which everywhere greeted
the eye. Each succeeding day the pour down
its excessive heat scorching the earth, and rejecting
from the and buildings like the fiery breath of
blast furnace causing untold suffering and beast
1t was such day that Justice True forth
again bring what relief and comfort lay within her
power unto the families living in the of the
slums.
Her first visit at the home of Mrs. Oyen, a
widow with small son, and who lived in tene-
ment which boasted of court small yard, enclosed
upon three sides by adjoining apartments. driveway
opened through the rear, while billboard displaying
posters advertising tooth paste, patent medicines
ing circus and movie show, served fence in the
'front.' door in the billboard, and which swung pre-
cariousy upon rusty and broken hinges, the en-
tance to the court.
Mrs. Oyen had just hung upon line the last few
pieces of her daily morning washing which in addition
the odd jobs of sewing, house cleaning ETC., and the
small pension paid her by the government upon behalf
of her deceased husband civil veteran, enabled
her to support herself and child.
Miss True was now nearing the billboard gate, and
Jimmie Mrs. Oyen's son. had just entered the yard un
of her approach.
"Jimmie-! Jimmie! You just get into this yard as
fast as you can Where have you been? Land sakes
Just look your dirty hands and face and that clean
new white waist that put on you this morning ("
Jimmie advanced slowly toward his mother, and
sheepish grin upon his face he held hand be-
hind him.
"What have you got there Jimmie?" asked his MOTHER
and the boy opened his empty hand.
II mean your right hand"
Jimmie passed his left hand behind him, and bring
ing forth his right, opened it empty.
"Now look here young man, said the exasperated
Don't you try to keep anything from mel
You just drop whatever you have in your left hand into
mine!
Jimmie obeyed. Something cold and Shiny, and
wriggling, touched her hand .One quick glance and
her eyes popped with fright She uttered long perc
ing shrek of horror dropped the repuve object upon
the ground, and, stepping backward tumbled with a
huge splash, squarely into tub of rnsing water be-
hind her. Jimmie grasped his mothers and tried
aid her, and Miss True, hearing the scream rushed
into the yard and assisted the woman to her feet.
"Mrs. Oyen! My goodness!" she exclaimed.
"Mss True!- OIL What fright; and such sght!"
cried Mrs. Oyen she surveyed her dripping clothing.
Jmmies face betrayed sly mischieveous SMILE
"What is it?" inquired Miss True. 81 heard you
scream"
"A lizard! Jimmie put it right into my hand"
"But you told me to mamma" spoke up the boy
"Of course 1 did didn't know-yvhere in the world
did you get the thing?"
"Down by the river-Teacher said lizards turn all
colors; will this red, and green and blue and
purple if keep it? asked Jimmie. page 2, Col y