The Red Cloud chief., 1886-01-01

THE LAST ITEM.

1t was early evening. The lamps
were beginning to shine out here and
there and men and women who had
finished their days work were hurrying
home to supper. The door of a neat
little home stood partly open. A man
was hear it. evidently Just starting out
to begin his work.
Il am sorry you have to 90 back to
night work." his wife was saying. She
looked pale and troubled.
$50 am l." he answered, ..but y
mind, dear. perhaps it won't be long"
lie kissed her as he spoke and went
out through the door. She looked after
HIM with her eyes full of tears. If
he should begin again." she said; 'oh,
If he should.'
Mamma" called a tall, slender girl
from the room, ''comc and tell me
what pattern to choose for fathers
slippers; want 10 commence en-
broidering them tonight. His birth
day En very far of. you know"
bertha and are going to club 10
gcthcr and get him that new book he
wanted" said another girl. evidently
her sister; "wc heard him speak Of il
and we have money enough"
The woman turned and went into the
house and shut the door.
The man went on down the street
and was soon busily engaged at his
case, away up in the highest story Of a
tall building.
His fingers went back and forth,
hack and fayfh ,i.linr a.. a.. IL e
black metal, setting up line after line
at what IN the morning would appear
in the great daily. Out over the city he
could see the lights beginning 10 shine,
and gradually the hum in the streets
below him grew less and less.
All about him Were men working
away steadily at the bits If metal. He
could hear the presses click. click, as
they went on with their part Of the
work.
The gas flared. Now and then one
OF the men spoke briefly, generally
something about the work.
Some of them went to their coats
occasionally where they hung on the
wall and drank from bottles in the
pockets. One offered hiS TO the silent
worker beside him. but he shook his
head.
What" called Il gay Young fellow
across the room, '.you given up the
bottle. Mcnson; what will happen
next
The men laughed.
The lights in the houses died out after
awhile, the noises on the street grew
less and The men went to their
bottles OH T and passed them back
and forth FROM hand 10 hand. Mcnson
was growing tired. He WAS not as
young as he had been when he began
TO work ut the typc.And the smell of
the liquor came To m rs he worked
and grew more and more weary.
He lon@cd for one taste, just one. Ito
help him out Ito rest him" Yet,
when a lad near him took the bottle
and began 10 taste the liquor he touch
ed his arm and said: Don't, | began at
your age; | wanted to be smart; don't
begin"
But the boy laughed and drank.
The hours went by and the presses
clicked louder and the noises on the
street grew less and less.
Here. Mcnson." said n man. COM
inc across the room. here is some of
the best French brandy. just taste it;
l know YOU are sick tonight; it'll do
you good"
Il don't feel exactly WELL" he said,
Selling the bottle eagerly, "IN taste
il. only taste it,
The fumes of the liquor had been
half-maddcninm him. his old thirst had
been CRYING ont to be satisfied. He
drank as cagerl, - he had seized it.
That is good brandy" he said, Civ
inm back the bottle.
The man winkcd Slyly at the others
rs he went back to his ease.
Menson worked on. He felt better.
he said To himself. the brandy had done
him GOOD: and after awhile he asked
for another drink.
The man gave it and he drank as
eagerly AS before. He had drank a
good many times by the time the last
line was sci up and the men were max
ing ready TO leave. Ii was early morn
inc now and the noises of that early
time in the city were beginning to be
heard.
Mcnson went to get his coat. but he
could not find il. Then he looked for
his hat. but he could not remember
where he had put it.
kUc stood holding on 10 the back of q
CHAIR. vaguely, wondering what he
shoAld do about il. when the man who
had G,i,en him the brandy came up.
Nellie. McnSon.' he called out.
..vo,, hook rs though You were getting
up a lJtder. Too late now for that,
come oni' Menson ~endca'ored TO let
him know his dilemma.
..Where's your coat?" he said; he
was louI and noisy; where's Your
coat? BlSst if know.
..Oh. here il is; let me help you on
with il. There q are. come on now.
the BOYS have all gone and lcit us.
They went over To the elevator. 1t
was Just coming up the shaft. Away
down below them they could hear the
engine and at one side the presses
stamp. stamp. rs the great daily
dropped away fresh and damp from
their Jaws. :.
Come on then. now my boy.
called his companion. as Menson hesi-
tated.
He drew him on. one bewildered and
confused. the other hilarious and loud.
The elevator began To move down the
shaft. Mcnson looked up and saw A
door.
Here's place" he said stepping out
toward il.
His companion caught his coat. II
came off in his hand. and rs he stood
wildly looking at it. he heard. down
below him, something fall heavily.
The great daily had a little item. a
few lines crowded into Its columns that
morning.
..,Vo Iraorat to relate a sad accident