The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-03-13
TIE MAN OF no ACCOUNT.

Wake up here! Wake up, tell yuu -
said voice in the street.
d.. Nickers was in his Office. where he
had been sitting, reading an Old German
book. He threw the book on a table, open
ed the window and looked out
The cathedral clock struck two. The gas
light Aared in the keen wind. The street
was still, save where now AMI then a belated
pedestrian hurried along, and from an ada
cent square some votaries Of Bacchus were
vociferating their intention of not going
home till morning,
Till daylight doth appear
A man was lying asleep on the office step.
A big, burly policeman had HIM by the
shoulder. shaking him. Get up, say ! Get
upE
The sleeper rose from his recumbent po-
sitiOn, yawning, ana said:
Certainly, my dear sir. Anything to
o5Iige. But you should not be so vehement
in your manner. You really should not.
You would find it to your advantage to cul-
tiyate repose.
Don't be a-given' any o. your lip said
the moral policeman, But come along to
the station house
"But really, now, you are too attentive,
Policeman. I dOn't objec; to going to pris-
on. am neither drums nor disorderIv, and
| have no feIouious intents upon my neigh
bOr's goods. [ thank you for your interest
in me, 5ut a coolness on your part, stud
led avoidance Of my vicinity, would please
me well Au recojr, Mr.. Policeman
And so saying, the man lay down on the
steps The exasperated officer caught him
by the cOat-coilar and jerked him to sit.
ting posture.
If you don't come along now, you'n wish
you had he said, at the same time giving
him another jerk that sent him on his feet.
The man looked into tile face Of the other
and replied
No, it would be impossible for me. under
any circumstances, to wish to accompany
you. You exceed the bounds of probability
when you say that, my good fellow. But
since you are 50 importunate, I will 60 al.
ways uudeT protest, though always under
protest.
So saying he descended the steps, The
Doctor had been an interested spectator OF
this scene, and now, acting from impulse
called out:
Wait a minute, officer and shutting the
window went out into the hall and opened
the street door.
Let the fellow alone, officer said he tC
the policeman. 1 will see that he does nc
harm
But be can't go on a-Iayin' round asleep
on door steps, replied the majesty of the
law.
I admit my conduct was open to adverse
criticism the stranger said, waYing hi:
hand. The customs of society do not war
rant man in going to bed with his boots on
especially when his couch of dreams i.
naught out the cold, cold stones of doc
step. But l will make handsome apology
il necessary he continued. bowine to tn,
policeman.
After a little more parleying with the of
tended policeman, the doctor induced hin
to Depart without the offending sleeper. -
Still acting from impulse, he invited thu
stranger to enter the Office. The only ex
planation of his conduct was that he wished
to hear him talk. Possibly the fact of Uh,
German book having been a psychological
work may have had some bearing on DR.
Vickers' anomalous conduct. Besides i
was in the night, and no one would know it
Deeds under such circumstances are neve
so heinOus as when performed in the broad
uncomprOmising light of day.
Once seated by the fire, the Doctor saw
that his new acquaintance was a man some
thing over thirty years, who would hav
been handsome under happier circumstan
ces. But neglect and dissipation had mad,
sad havoc with his face. The Doctor PLACED
a lunch on a small table. and courteously in
vted him to eat. The other drew his chai
up to the table, and then said, with an af
fected air of concern
You must give me assurance, Doctor, tina
food partaken of at this late hour will no
be detrimental to my general health. 1 new
er play tricks with my digestion
With assured solemnity the Doctor as
sIred him that he might eat with impunty
The other professed himself satisfied an,
went to eating He was evidently very
hungry and equally reluctant to let it be to,
apparent, so that the Doctor made an ex
cuse and withdrew. When he returned tn
plate was empty. and the stranger was seat
ed in front Of the fire.
He looked so thin, so pinched with hun
ger, so blue with cold, so utterly forsakeI
and disreputable, that for the first time DR.
Vickers felt a compassion for him. He drew
an armchair to the othe other side of the fire
opposite him.
I don't imagine life wears a roseate hut
for you, eh . said be, inteTrogRtyely.