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SHORTY McCABE ON THE JOB CHAPTER I WISHING A NEW ONE ON SHOBTY DO things just happen, like peculiar changes in the weather, or is there a general scheme on file somewhere? Is it a free-for-all we're mixed up in with our Harry Thaws and our Helen Kellers; our white slavers, our white hopes, and our white plague campaigns; our trunk murders, and our fire heroes? Or are we runnin' on schedule and headed somewhere? I ain't givin' you the answer. I'm just slip- pin' you the proposition, with the side remark that now and then, when the jumble seems worse than ever, you can get a glimpse of what might be a clew, or might not. Anyway, here I was, busy as a little bee, block- in' right hooks and body jabs that was bein' shot at me by a husky young uptown minister who's a headliner at his job, I understand, but who's developin' a good, useful punch on the side. I was just landin' a cross wallop to the ribs, by way of keepin' him from bein' too ambitious with his left, when out of the tail ofmy eye I notices Swifty Joe edgin' in with a card in his paw. " Time out! " says I, steppin' back and drop- pin' my guard. " Well, Swifty, what's the scandal? " " Gent waitin' to see you," says he. " Let him wait, then," says I. " Ah-r-r-r, but he's a reg'lar gent! " protests Swifty, fingerin' the card. " Even so, he'll keep five minutes more, won't he? " says I. " But he he's " begins Swifty, strug- glin' to connect that mighty intellect of his with his tongue. " Ah, read off the name," says I. "Is it Mayor Mitchel, Doc Wilson, or who? " " It says J. B-a-y-a-r-d Ste Steele," says Swifty. " Eh? " says I, gawpin'. " Lemme see. Him! Say, Swifty, you go back and tell J. Bayard that if he's got nerve enoughto want to see me, it'll be a case of wait. And if he's a...
