Cinder Path Tales

176 CINDER-PATH TALES ical strength, evidentlyspoiling for trouble. As a rule, the little men are the aggressors, and most dangerous of all if they have a crowd with them. Paddy's first captive, in deference to our superior force, decides to act the civil, and asks gruffly, "What's his biz?" "He's a cop," answered Paddy, "a big chunk ava man, wid a scar over the lift eye, under the hair." Identifying a man by a concealed scar is too much for Tom, who breaks into ahearty laugh, and the prisoner himself gives a half smile, whenafter deny­ ing all knowledgeof "Dinny "he is allowed to pass on. We next halt a couple of young fellows, evidently gentlemen, out on a lark. They recognize in Paddy a character worth cul­ tivating, and keep him talking several minutes, asking fool questions; but they finally admit that " me cousin Dinny Sulli­ van " isnot on their list of acquaintances. We spent some time in this way, Paddy doing picketduty, the main army close up in support. After questioning a dozen or more we make up our minds that Dinny iscer­ tainly not as well known on the Bowery as John L. or Tony Pastor, and thathe success of our mission is doubtful. We had enjoyed the dialogues immensely, particularly that