Wichita eagle., 1886-09-14
HIS LAST CHANCE.

| fight against hard fate, but he was be-
ginning to feel that it was no use.
"Well, thank God p he thought. g l
am at least alone. There is neither
mother nor sister dependent upon me
and when l am found dead here In my
room some cold morning, no mother or
sister will weep o.er my untimely end.
And yet it is hard. too-a healthy hon
est young man, only twenty-five year; OF
age, wi n no outlook ahead but starva-
ton Is there nothing l can do-absO
lutely nothing? If that be really 50, it
is better for me to go and make room for
I'll not believe it-no! I'll make one
more effort. I've tried all the genteel
ways-Tll try something lower down, if
It's only sweeping q crossing But
haven't money enough to buy broom.
| And why nota"
He had been walking to and fro in the
dingy room-now not his own, since he
| had failed to pay the last weeks rent
and as he thought aloud, he paused and
glanced out of the window.
A row of new houses was being put up
over the way. and as Alfred looked one
of the hod-carriers slipped as he was
ascending the ladder and fell to the
ground.
"It may be- chance" he muttered-
"my last chance"
And he seized his hat, drew it over
his brow, and fed down stairs.
The man who had fallen had already
gone, with his broken ankle, to the hos
pital, and the boss stood moodily gazing
at nothing and muttering to himself
Can l fill that mans placer" asked
Alfred, touching the boss on the elbow.
II think canscarry hod."
Your" exclaimed the boss, staring
at the applicant, and taking in his re-
fined faceand seedy threadbare clothes
at glance. ''Why, you're a-sort of
gentleman"
Yes the sort that starves to death,
unless he can turn hod carrier" said
Alfred bitterly. "For heavens sake, sir,
give me a chance"
'.AlI right Here. bring that blouse
and Overalls here"
He tosse them to Alfred, who hur-
riedly drew them on over his own
clothes.
"Andhore's the hod. Look out, since
you're not a7c1 to it. II you get dizzy
hea,ie'' we'll lie sending The second
cripple To ne hospital"
All Ell poised the he'd on his shoulder
StS AZ q u'tu Sctu IIIc OLUeTS 90. dLu Iucu
Iimbly ;!scenicd the ladder.
He had been dizzy when he came out
but it vas from hunger; and he forgot it
when he felt the load on his shoulder.
He didn't fall, and when at six clock
the boss paid him for his share of the
day. he compliments him too.
Its the gentleman wins, somehow,
after all. Why, my man, you've carried
more hods up that ladder than any
other carrier to day. What's your
name?"
"Alfred lockwood"
"All right, lockwood. You come
every day till the other man comes
back, and by that time perhaps we can
find something better for you
THANK YOU"
And tLen the young man turned his
steps to ward the nearest cheap restau-
rant, and no one that night tasted any
thing so grateful to the palate as Alfred's
buttered rolls and hot coffee.
1t was six weeks before Larry
O'Flynn's broken ankle was pronounced
well again and when he came back no
other work had as yet turned up for
Alfred lockwood.
But the young man congratula. ed Larry
all the SANE, and gave up his hod and
overalls without a complaining word.
He was not so desperate as he had
been six weeks ago. His rent was paid
in advance and he had put by enough to
pay for his meals while he looked for
another job. He found out that no
strong healthy young man need starve
in large city as long as he possesses
two willing honest hands.
He was just thinking SO while he bade
4 hl m fh.ar 500 ri Nv.,,iv
when screams, in several different keys,
attracted all eyes towards a light car
rage, violently dragged by q runaway
horse which was tearing down the
street
Clear the way-clear the way shout
ed dozen voices.
And only Alfred seemed to see the pale
set face OF the girl in the carriage, whose
hands still grasped the reins, though her |
slender wrists were powerless to control |
the horse.
With one bound he was in the middle
OF the street; the next, the flying horse |
seemed about to trample him; but at |
that steady gaze and voice of stern |
command, the frightened creature |
swerved, hesitated, and in that moments |
hesitation, Alfred had grasped the reins |
while he soothed the animal with voice |
and gentle touch.
All danger was over In few minutes |
and then the young lady tainted.
Alfred secured the horse, still tremb-
ling with excitement and fright, and |
and with the boss's assistance lifted the |
insensible girl out Of the carriage.
Good powers II it isn't Miss Alton
herselfr' exclaimed the boss. Young
man, you're in luck. Her father is the |
owner OF the row Of houses we're just !
putting up, and many another lot be sides.
She's his only child, and he loves the /
ground she walks on. You are in luck
and no mistake"
When Miss Alton had recovered suf- |
to be put In her carriage. she
begged Alfred % take the place beside /
her, for she did not dare to handle the |
reins again that day.
Mr. Alton could not find words to ex-
press his gratitude. He insisted on |
hearing Air 5 whole story. and then
it wa wonder III how many things he /
could End for the young maa to Go.
Finally Alfred found himself in
sla led a. Mr. Atoms secretary. Tee
old gent lemaa treated him - Il son. de-
clered :. 60 Id not get along ihout
him, an wondered how his lie had ever
gone smooth y in the Gays before his
arr.sa,.
Al first all this seemed divine. and then
Alfred ungratefIls
No. indeed: he was rot that. But
arafrSe xrfIl raS NJ last |