Short stories, American; United States -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
Gallegher's hand was still in that pocket, in which Mr. Dwyer had shoved
his note-book filled with what he had written of Gallegher's work and
Hade's final capture, and with a running descriptive account of the
fight. With his eyes fixed on Mr. Dwyer, Gallegher drew it out, and with
a quick movement shoved it inside his waistcoat. Mr. Dwyer gave a nod of
comprehension. Then glancing at his two guardsmen, and finding that they
were still interested in the wordy battle of the correspondents
with their chief, and had seen nothing, he stooped and whispered to
Gallegher: “The forms are locked at twenty minutes to three. If you
don't get there by that time it will be of no use, but if you're on time
you'll beat the town--and the country too.”
Gallegher's eyes flashed significantly, and nodding his head to show he
understood, started boldly on a run toward the door. But the officers
who guarded it brought him to an abrupt halt, and, much to Mr. Dwyer's
astonishment, drew from him what was apparently a torrent of tears.
“Let me go to me father. I want me father,” the boy shrieked,
hysterically. “They've 'rested father. Oh, daddy, daddy. They're a-goin'
to take you to prison.”
“Who is your father, sonny?” asked one of the guardians of the gate.
“Keppler's me father,” sobbed Gallegher. “They're a-goin' to lock him
up, and I'll never see him no more.”
“Oh, yes, you will,” said the officer, good-naturedly; “he's there in
that first patrol-wagon. You can run over and say good night to him, and
then you'd better get to bed. This ain't no place for kids of your age.”
“Thank you, sir,” sniffed Gallegher, tearfully, as the two officers
raised their clubs, and let him pass out into the darkness.
The yard outside was in a tumult, horses were stamping, and plunging,
and backing the carriages into one another; lights were flashing from
every window of what had been apparently an uninhabited house, and the
voices of the prisoners were still raised in angry expostulation.
Three police patrol-wagons were moving about the yard, filled with
unwilling passengers, who sat or stood, packed together like sheep, and
with no protection from the sleet and rain.
Gallegher stole off into a dark corner, and watched the scene until his
eyesight became familiar with the position of the land.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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