The Washington times., 1932-07-26
CHAPTER II

LOCtle Callahan met IN q 1lRnC
=. 1T was nothing to laugh at!
No sooner had Lottie struck
the first blow across Blondes
cheek, then she received Blon-
dies clenched fist on the side
Of her neck-a blow that was
deliberately aimed at Lottie's
delicate chin. Fists flew thick
and fast. Rules against claw
ing or scratching are not in
the code book of the fighting
feminine. Both hats went off,
and flowing hair was fair
game. It was not long before
both girls were rolling on the
hallway floor, in a rough and
tumble scrap that only two
tenement district kids could
stage.
The first round was we'll
under way, but not long enough
for any referee to tell who was
winning, when Cert Slatterly
mounted the stairs from the
street. Cert was Blondes mar
ried sister. She had been buy
ing the family provisions, and
carried a big string shopping
bag filled with vegetables. Cert
glanced up at the rolling girls,
and a flash of recognition
crossed her face, but she did
not hurry her steps. She had
seen fights between these two
combatantS many times before.
AS Cert reached the top of
the stairs she quietly and with
careful and deliberate aim
swung her shopping bag. 1t
landed neatly in the small of
Lottie's back, knocking the
breath out of her.
Lay off my sister!" Cert
snarled.
Odds Against Her
Lottie, realizing that the odds
were now against her, started
to get to her feet.
That's righ t-get your
whole dirty fami1y-your whole
low down dirty family!" she
gasped.
Quite calmly Cert hit her
again. Lottie almost, keeled
over.
Gee, Cert" Blonde said as
she arose and started to Lot
ties assistance. cut that out!
If you've hurt her I'll crown
you!"
Lottie turned and ran rapidly
up the stairs. Blonde and
Cert watched the retreating
uottie, and heard her slam the
door of the Callahan flat at
the top. AS they turned to
enter their own flat, Mrs. Nc
clune suddenly flung open the
door.
whats all the row!" and
Ma McClune's voice rose like a
wailing siren.
Its Lottie hittin' it off
again, Ma" said Cert.
"Oh, it sounded like a fight"
answered Ma wearily, losing
all interest in such a common
occurrence.
Ma McClune turned and led
her two daughters into the
flat. They passed through a
small and dingy hall into the
living room, which also served
as the dining room for the
family. The furnishings were
clearly the result of years of
collecting on behalf of Pa
and Ma Mcclure.
I'm gonna poke that Lot
tie dame a good one some day."
said Cert, as she handed her
mother the bag of vegetables.
who does she think she is
anyway-struttin' around with
her nose in the air"
AS Ma McClune retreated to
the kitchen, with her burden,
Blonde Immediately went on
the defensive against her sister.
Full of Prunes
"She's all right" answered
Blonde, "but she's full of
prunes! It's the hifaluting
books she reads. .Look-she
tore my dressl" and Blonde
glared down at it ruefully, try
ing to hold together a long
tear. Where's the sewing
basket?"
Blonde answered her own
question by going into her
room and returning with a
needle and thread. AS she
started to mend her dress
the walls of Gert's baby filled
the room.
oh, dear, I wish that kid
would sing another song" said
Blonde in a weary voice. II
get tired of the same old tune
all the time"
You'd get tired of anything
you was born tired" came
back Cert, making no attempt
to quiet the baby.
. CuSC 1Hen Pete entered the
rIatS carrying the evening pa
per. Pete was a big, strap
ping, lazy-looking individual,
who had married Cert three
years before and had been en-.
! joylng bad health ever since.
Talking Of being tired" said
Blonde with one glance at her
brother-in.law, How do you
feel today. Pete?"
Hello, Blonde" greeted Pete,
ignoring the question. Did nv
eyes deceive me or was that