Cinder Path Tales

AND EVERY ONE A WINNER 209 pointed to the chairs with a wave of his hand, andwhen we were seated he broke the silence with, " Gintlemen, 'tis proud I am to meet ye all, though in bad company ye come" (the last with a smile at Paddy). "I've a little something here" (looking fondly at the jug) "willkape thenight out; 'tis the rale old stuff, such as we used to drink in old Connemara. 'Tis aisyI've been with yes, but, faith, I swear to pull in ivery mother's son that willnot drinkwith me." We all filled our glasses, though Tom called us to witnessthat he drank under pro­ test, and only through fear of arrest. Just how long we lingered in the widowRafferty's back room I cannot tell, but we discovered Dinny to be the veryprince ofcoppers, able to tell a good story and sing a better song. He was a broth of a boy, and would have gladdened the eyesof the manager of a foot­ ball team. He stood six feet three in his stockings, and weighed two hundred and fifty pounds, all good stuff, and as hard as nails. His uniform was fresh, and fitted him like a glove, while every button was bright as a West Point cadet's. When we came to part with him it was with mutual expressions of good will, which were increased when we discovered he had sent for a carriage, and the same awaited us in the dark alley. If