Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-08-17
THE LAST DITCH.
Fred Grover sat IN his attic mn !,

given his son some good advice, and what
Fred thought great deal more valuable)
five hundred dollars to pay his board bills
and other expenses. His mother had Civ
en- him new set Of shirts, some flannel
jackets, a fifty dollar bill-which she had
saved from her housekeeping expenses
made him promise to be a good boy
which Fred very readily did. for he in
tended to be if he could-and off he start
ed.
When Fred arrived in New York he
set to work manfully, having determined
to rival Mott or Carnechan in very short
time or ANONYMOUSLY retire from the pro-
fession.
New York is very seductive, and--I
am sorry to say it-Fred Grover was very
fond Of pleasure. Consequently, he soon
became an accomplished player at bllli-
ards, and quickly discovered the houses
where the best dinners could be obtained.
When young men indulge too freely in
good dinners, cigars, ETC., they observe
with surprise how quickly their money
disappears. It was so with Fred, for
having occasion one day to draw twenty
dollars out of the bank, where he had
deposited his money, he was somewhat
disconnected 10y being told that there was
only two dollars and some odd cents to
his credit.
Fred went home feeling pretty badly.
What to do he did not know. Having
been in New York only three months
and spending five hundred and fifty dol
lars, he couldn't write home for more
no, that was impossible, so he made up
his mind to attend lectures regularly and
study tremendously hard.
Poor Fred!
So things went on for four or five
weeks. Fred had visited pawnbroker
several times, and had left that gentle
man, who so kindly lends money to
those who are in want of it, his watch, a
dozen shirts. one or two coats, and several
pairs Of pantaloons.
Fred's landlady had received no money
for some time, SO she began to importunc
him for payment, and had limited mildly
that if some was not forthcoming very
shortly Fred would have to find new
boarding-house.
Well, as I said before, Fred Grover sat
in his attic, bordering over his ill-luck-
as he called it, but correctly speaking
over his improvidence-and deploring
the hour that brought him to New York
How seldom we think of blaming our
own 1mprudence! We generally manage
to find an excuse for our little weak
nesses.
"If," unused Fred, II were to write tc
mother, know she'd send on the money
bnt can't do that I'll starve first
I wonder if-come imp
The last two words were shouted in a
tone much louder than there was any
occasion for, but Fred had been inter
rupted by tap at the door, and it hae
somewhat startled him.
The door slowly opened and in stalkec
a matronly- looking woman, with rathe,
a red face, and who, had three curls OF
each side OF her face.
Fred turned all manner of colors.
"Mr. Grover" said the lady, ':would
you let me have some money, if yo,
please?"
Il haven't any to-day, Mrs. Jackson
but, but
But what, sir?" and the matronly
looking woman frowned at poor Fred
II was gong to aay expect remit
lance from hone in day or two ant
then I'll give you some"
Mrs. Jackson's face twitched about all
manners of ways; finally she said:
eff you cannot let me have some mon
ey tomorrow, Mr. Grover, shall feel oh
liged to you if you will get another board
ing-house."
Fred readily promised to let her hav
some money the following day, though
where he was going to get it from h
hadn't the widest idea. However it was
a respite, and he shouldn't have to fac
Mrs Jackson till the following day.
When we owe money and promise t
pay tomorrow, what long way of tia
tomorrow appears.
When Mrs. jackson had left the roo1
Fred put his hands to the bottom of hi
trousers pocket and began to walk abou
the room with rapid strides
"What the deuce is to be done?
! don't know. Let me see-oh that's n
use; I've pawned everything that's pawr
able!''
Fred threw himself upon his bed t
try and calm himself. He counted al
the flies upon the ceiliug, and longed t
be a fly because they didn't have to pa
board bills.
| "By Jove, good i,lea!' said FREQ
starting up. GIL try to borrow it; yer
likely Jim can lend it to me-
He seized his hat and hurried, from tn
house.
Attached to the house that Fred ha
just left is a yard, but called by the lane
lady garden behind that garden is
small lane leading to nowhere in particr
lar, and having its entrance in stree
chiefly devoted to tenement houses, dill
and squalling children.
About eleven o'clock that night a ma
very carefully looked over the fence thg
separated the aforesaid garden from til
aforementioned lane. Looking careful
ly around, he drew from his pocket pal
of pincers, and commenced breaking O
short a few of the spikes that were on tn
top OF the fence, and had been put Their
l presume, for the express purpose of al
I noying the neighboring cats.
After counting the number he ha
broken off, by feeling them with hi
hand, he carefully climbed to the top {
the fence, and then lowered himself int
the garden.
"Blamc the things!'' he muttered, ha,
ing aEghted in the middle of lilac-busl
which slightly scratched him, ssthere
always something to interfere with fel
lows business"
Having extricated himself from tn
bush, he crept stealthily toward the var
door, applied his ear to the key hole, an,
listened.
He produced an augur from one Of tn
numerous pockets in his coat, and thai
began to bore hole-so quietly that yo1
could hardly hear tin the door. Whe1