The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-09-28
ONE MANS HEART.
BY CLARENDON NJ. RourELLE.

N long, dusty street lay white and hot
Sruaer an unshaded August sun. The
sszsssely-cut lawns were bright and green
where the water had been thrown upon
xfhem from the hydrants and hose in the
-szaxds, but the bits of grass along the
sidewalks we're dusty and withered. The
1.aves on the trees dropped in the noon
gxE&re, and seemed to be mutely appeal
ing to the cloudless sky for moisture and
s,.ssoiness. Not breath of air stirred
anywhere as far as one could see; all
z1afure seemed waiting in a painful
,sx1se for a relief for which there seemed
1o hope.
Far down the western horizon, it is
Grue, there was long line of dark clouds,
sssst it was hint. rather than a promise
inf the cooling rain which the city needed
"a thought written in the heavens i'm
SHslpable and shadowy, rather than
strreat, of what Nature might 60 when
when the silent powers of the air were
Koosened.
OF human life the scene showed little.
In all the long street there were only two
ssersons to be seen. Closed blinds pro-
't,,eted the inmates of the houses from
she almost furnace heat, and no business
was being done the need of which was
not imperative. Two men, however,
0rere in sight.
The first one lay stretched in ham,
mock on the piazza of the largest and
most pretentious house on the street.
His clothing was of the latest style
fresh, cool and comfort BILE. The face
which was looking up at the vines over
Eead was q handsome one. The book
which had fallen to the floor was an ex-
ssensive one. Everything around him
spoke of wealth and happiness.
The other man, coming up the shade
less street, walked YEARLY. His cloth
Ing was coarse and in many places it was
y7xtched; in some it was ragged. His
Face and his garments we're covered with
szzst His hair was long and hung over
Ezis forehead. His beard was rough and
zneven. He was man who would have
aaeen plain anywhere, and who looked
,axss worst that afternoon as if he came on
through the dust. He Lad walked for
szsocks scarcely looking to the right or
asst, and there was look in his eyes
zdaat might have seemed despair, accord
Eng to the nature and the observing
powers of one who looked at him.
"Once MORE" he said-''once more,
znd then"
He opened the gate of the yard before
the house where the man lay in the ham,
mock. The man ON the piazza swung
himself down, and stood at the top Of
Ef4e steps waiting for the tramp.
-'Well," he said, the tone was not en-
~souraging.
well" answered the other. There
<xas more in the tone than one could
- A H. okso .al -,
nave stood by in the soul of that wretched
man and aided in shaping the thought
xsefore the lips said well"
What can do for your"
Give me money. l want money"
What is your story?'
mo matter what my story is; never
szs5nd my past-nor my future either.
See what am. Do you want to invest
IN the gratitude of man like me? Is
ztsere any possibility of your needing it
zEeain?"
"You are hungry"
The question was useless one, for the
sxan had the look of one starved; but the
Syxsu dressed and well fed man on the
steps had been used to hear the plea Of
hanger put forward at once. and its
<xnission puzzled him.
Eyes, am hungry. You've been told
Ivy men who shun labor and who travel
shrough the country living on their own
vices and the misplaced sympathy of the
good of their hunger. They have lied.
Hut am hungry. III not tell You how
1nany hours I've been without food. I'll
xzo1 deay that tie last dime have went
fzox brandy. But for it should have
.zEed before reaching here. need food
yes, and drink too. need money"
The man on the steps put his hand in
szis pocket.
IN tell you," with desperation. Il
/. Save to say what you've often heard be-
S<sre. If you give me q dime shall
spend five cents for food and five for
Liquor. I shall rest q little here, and
sfken shall go on again to tell another
uH&n tomorrow the story have told you
es<ay. shall reach my journeys end
-sane day, and Won will have been one to
E3elp me, and ] shall remember it with
31sanks. Eut you've asked me what !
1eed. More than / expect, more much
xnore--thsn dare hope"
And tn man took his eyes from the
xnoe of the one on the steps. and instead
~ looking at the dirty street, his glance
xested for q moment on the railroad Sta
zion 10 sight in tho distance.
"Well, how much?"
eff had ten dollars wouldn't ask
nnyshing better in the world" then, q
little fercely, II am not sure I'd ask