Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-08-22

be prudent Tor you TO go nome dtoot anu
alone at 80 late an hour, with the proceeds
OF our little benevolent festival about you.
Thank you, my dear sir. responded the
priest, -but the money Is for charity, and
who would think Of stealing it, Besides, II
l am attacked / am amply capable OF de-
feniing myself"
Ire vehicle rolled away and the priest
turned down Seventeenth street in the direc-
ton of the elevated railroad station without
noticing that he was followed by man
whose appearance was by no means prepoi-
sessing.
1. was toward the close Of December
Times were hard-very hard, and il here
and there brilliantly illuminated mansion
indicated that halls and banquets we're
given by the rich, further on in the quarters
where the poor swarmsI were cold, dark
ness and hunger. In1eei, the scene ut that
place and instant offered . strange and
sadly significant contrast Before the
widely opened door from which the priest
and his companion hal just issued there was
a row of splendid equipages and a throng OF
weli-fei and richly dressed coachmen ami
lackeys From their thick coats and fur
they beamsd forth, fat, freshly shaven,
snug; the horses, heavily blanketed tossed
their heads with glitter and ciank Of
brass and silver, and the warm and rudy
light CLEANED on glossy robes and costly
trappings A few yards below. the lean
and haggard man who watched the scene
with envying eyes shivered on the sidewalk,
ragged and we'll nigh barefoot Tho face,
revealed by the gaslight, was not that OF q
criminal, but two deep wrinkles that seemed
channels worn by bitter tears, extending
from the eyes downward, gave his face the
| appearance Of being set in sinister grin
Despair, anger, passion, fright-all these
had set their seal on his countenance- He
looked at once wearie1 and furious like ons
who had long struggled in vain against I'M
| Just and extreme temption. He had doubt
less been a workman, certainly was beg
gar, and probably would be thief, or
| worse.
As the priest passed him the man suddenly
started and recoilei few pacss, muttering
| something hoarsely, then silently and watch
| fully followed after him. keeping within the
shadow Of the wall
| Had he heard the priests conversation
with his friend. Probably ne had. So, at
least, thought two pedestrians who were
| passing at the same moment, bound IL tia
same direction.
That fellow means no COOL" said one:
-he intends robbing some one
"Or begging something,' said his com
panion.
Il don't like his way of sneakins along in
the shadow--it looks ugly"
Possibly, but somehow he docsn'tgive ms
the impression Of being q scoundrel"
| "Whewl why you have turned optimist.
Oh, see, you've made a conquest ehl That
little Cora, suppose, That is why you are
1 tha
well, did get her to promise to lot me
take her to supper tonight as soon as her
theatre is out Won't you comet Do. and
On the road I'll tell you story about tho
| priest in front of Us there that is worth
hearing
We'll, no. Somehow think that l will
| follow these two men, and see the story out,
| If there is to be any story. You can tell mo
about the priest at supper; will join yol
and your enchanting Cora at Paillards in
all hour"
Done Take care of yourself" and they
parted at the corner of Fourth avenus, tho
last speaker jumping on street car to ride
the few blocks to the Star theatre
II.
The street was asleep and white with
snow. Not a breath disturbed tho keen air.
AMI the sky, clear n mighty opal atdei
| its milky uniformity to the serenity
of the winter night The monsignor
turned to the left at Lexington ave
nue., then absolutely deserted. walk
| ing rapidly, but WITH his head bent down,
as if in thought At Eighteenth street h,
| turned again to the right, and the lights o!
| the elevoted station were in sight, when sud-
denly. as if by enchantment, thu man who
had been stalking his footsteps appeared ut
his siIe Making a spring like that OF a
tiger he caught the priest by the throat an !
both rolled upon the snowy sidewalk
i Tie gentle man who had followed darted
forward, but ere he reached them they were
on their fest With one hand the priest
lelI his assaiIant, wrists so firmly that,
though the man struggled and writhed to
free himself. he could not break his captor'
| hold; with the other he struck the snow
from his coat
Il give in finally said the ragged man,
in sharp and bitter tone. as he ceased to
struggle: Il give init may as well end
here and now" And as lie caught his breat !
he added hoarsely. and as if talking to him
self: The little ones will def they ara
not dead that is all
Tho priest had not uttered q single word.
81 give intake me to the station-hoaise.
his prisoner repeated.
My friend said the priest. mildly, "why
Lave you attacked meP
The man in his turn was silent
What has driven you to this crimer
I've have jabbsred enough" said the man.
fcrcely. Il don't care n curse; take me Il
the station-house; you are stronger than l.
Have You not vito and children who
will bc shamed by your madness AMI lei.
without neutrality-suspicious. in destitntiOn
Was j. for them you --p
The wretch shuddered. Here" he said
Ill tell you all Three months and nc
work; the old woman sick, three children
perishin, with hunger. daughter gadiing
about the streets and going to suppers with
yentlemen-well. Still no work; the old
woman dies; the girl goes to the bad Two
months more, and no work. l had earned
50 cents in the last fortnight. To night the
children gave up crying for something tt
| eat and came out 10 steal a loaf OF bread
didn't get chance, there were so many
people about begged, and they told .ne
10 60 and look for work Look for work
/ have been looking for work FOL
six months Then I saw my girl-sa~
her in carriage, with feathers
in her hat. aud the children at homo starv'
ing WANTED to XIII everybody. That i
all You folks can laugh-yOu don
| know
MY friend said the priest to the gentle
man whose assistance, fortunately had moi
been needed. Il thank you for coming Il
| NV aid but YOU see what sort of a case TIN
is. lie. me attend t. the poor fellow ani
beg Of Won say nothing about this
The prisoner listened in stups.action To.
priest dragged him onward, though fror
time to time be struggled to get free; finally
recognising his powerleSsle he abandoned
all idea Of resistance. Questioned, h re
cited his suffering. g,ing over and over the
melancholy refrain, The girl gona - the
bad and the little ones starving
The priest whispered a word to him
"You- exclaimed the man in suIpriSe an
embarrassment; as he uncovered him-e {:
.youi viii Como with yoo quisey. your
reverance.'
Hall an hour later the gentleman who hal
followed them entered Paillarfx His friend
was waiting for him, in company with s
Young and pretty woman, who was engaged
WIFI, I sorbet
Well sail his friend, what
news have you brought WHAT
did You see' Cora, here. has been quite
nervous at your long absence and made sure
You mai been killed. or something
He related briefly what the reader already
knows.
Dear me, how nice and interesting
said the young lady: "ani what therF
Well. the priest did not take his cornpan-
ION TO the police station-instead they went
into a restaurant which happened 10 be
open