New York (N.Y.) -- Fiction; Stevedores -- Fiction; Widows -- Fiction
Lathers's announcement, coupled with the Scotchman's well-known
knowledge of equine diseases discrediting the blind-staggers theory,
produced a profound sensation. Heads were put together, and low whispers
were heard. Dempsey, Quigg, and Crimmins did not move a muscle.
The Scotchman again broke the silence.
“There seems to be no question, gentlemen, that the poor woman is badly
hurt; but she is still alive, and while she breathes we have no right
to take this work from her. It's not decent to serve a woman so; and
I think, too, it's illegal. I again move that the whole matter be laid
upon the table.”
This motion was not put, nobody seconding it.
Then Justice Rowan rose. The speech of the justice was seasoned with a
brogue as delicate in flavor as the garlic in a Spanish salad.
“Mr. Prisident and Gintlemen of the Honorable Boord of Village
Trustees,” said the justice, throwing back his coat. The elaborate
opening compelled attention at once. Such courtesies were too seldom
heard in their deliberations, thought the members, as they lay back in
their chairs to listen.
“No wan can be moore pained than meself that so estimable a woman
as Mrs. Grogan--a woman who fills so honorably her every station in
life--should at this moment be stricken down either by the hand of an
assassin or the hoof of a horse. Such acts in a law-abidin' community
like Rockville bring with them the deepest detistation and the
profoundest sympathy. No wan, I am sure, is more touched by her
misforchune than me worthy friend Mr. Daniel McGaw, who by this direct
interposition of Providence is foorced into the position of being
compelled to assert his rights befoore your honorable body, with full
assurance that there is no tribunal in the land to which he could apply
which would lend a more willing ear.”
It was this sort of thing that made Rowan popular.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account