The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1925-12-02
The Widows
Son
BY WILLIS BRINDLEY
q BY western Newspaper Union.)


DIG Matt Donovan backed his
- twelve-cylinder roadster into the
street and Strengthened her up. Them
for no reason except that he wanted
to. he glanced across the street and,
sure enough, there was Mrs. Bailey.
and beckoning to him. It was nine
Of nice fall morning, Saturday.
Big Matt was master plumber
with his owns shop and all, fifty, but
spry In spite Of the great bulk Of him.
He lived alone in the big house that
he and Mary had worked 90 hard for,
and with Mary gone now two years
and his daughter away In some VII
lage called Green Witch, or something
like that, Decorating interiors Of rich
mems homes, It waS~ plenty lonely.
The colored woman who cooked his
meals went home right after the din
ner dishes we're out Of the way.
Whats wrong. Mrs. Bailey?" Matt
DOn0ran's was q voice to shake the
ttmbers in hall, but he held In to q
rumble in Difference to the lady.
ITS the plumbing. The sink.
got man and he was to have come
yesterday and he didn't come. and
| last night the faucet wouldn't turn
clear OF. and the drain was clogged
and the sink ran over. and l had to
get up and mop. The mans here now,
but. surprising he didn't know his
business? So, / said. I'll just call to
Mr.. Donovan"
Sure. sure" said Matt, and pushed
by her into the house. THAT lad Of
hers should be able to help hfs moth
er by now, but not him-the Little
Lord Fanntleroy, with his belted
jacket suit and his dancing lessons
If it, weren't for that no-account
boy"
In the kitchen. Matt found Jim, q
friend and fellow plumber.
IN be going now" he said to Mrs.
Bailey. then hesitated. You're all
right now with the plumbing and I'll
be getting to the shop"
Yes, of course, and thank you very
much. but" and flushed, and she was
pretty when she flushed, very pretty.
and so young looking. II had an ap-
pointment with the dentist, and I'm
afraid that this has delayed me-"
Sure, sure,r doomed Donovan
Jump into the ear and I'll drop You
there in no time at ALL"
On the way Mrs. Bailey talked of
her only son, lovingly and proudly, as
a mother should.
1t was late afternoon when, having
beloved belligerent "Wen' int
the receiver, he heard her voice, and
he knew at once that she was crying.
"Oh, please, Mr.. Donovan. Could
you come and help me? David hasn't
come home"
Sure. right away. Don't worrye
He clamped on his hat, banged out
and into the roadster and pulled up
before the Bailey house In half jerk.
Mrs. Bailey was on the step waiting,
eraning to see II her boy was coming,
ciaspfng and unclasping her pretty
hands She told him, all In q breath.
The plumber wasn't done when
left, you know, and didn't want to
detain you, and was late for the
dentist. SO / just went on and left
David there, but he ought to have
gnowp that I'd be back. He's twelve.
ron know. And t got back shortly
after nosn, and he wasn't here, and
] can't locate him anywhere, and I'VE
telephoned and telephoned, and no
body has seen him and"
Donovan wanted to sit down, put BIZ,
arm around her and comfort her.
Get into the car, Mrs. Bailey" he
aid, "and Wen be finding him in NO
time"
They went far in the car-fo the |
dancing school. where David had not
been the teacher said: to the house
ct little girl who had NO telephone.
and the little girl hadn't seen him: to
= baseball game In I vacant lot: M |
and down many streets, inauirinr for
= small boy In belted suit wifh !
oreeA CAP Finally home, o - Il
- boy hal cane n their sAaanAa-