The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-03-22
the END OF the ROAD,
BY EMMA LYNDON.

Jun oOO " UUB0 BSVoSOD
f.
BY EMMA LYNDON.
He came into the composin9.room
one afternoon, nearly exhausted from
a long walk of twenty five miles since
morning. and wet and cold with the
dismal rain and sleet that was falling
outside.
He did not present an attractive ap'
pearance-a face that needed both
shaving and wa. hing, Drowned by
constant exposure-and a pair Of
great eyes that looked hunprily
around the strange rooms as if in
search OF something he never found; a
coat that might once have graced the
form OF q gentleman of leisure-prob,
ably contributed by some "dude''
printer in a philanthropic mood, but
which had long since lost the last trace
OF respectability-an old SLOUGH hat,
battered by wind and WEATHER, and
hard usage, like it's owner.
No one could have told, or even
guessed with any degree OF accuracy,
the mans age. He may have been fiji
ty or thirty-five years old. No mat.
ter--no one cared sufficiently to in
4uire or wonder. He walked slowly
across the room, stopping at last to
watch dceamily the dett fingers of one
OF the printers who was distributing
his case for the nights work.
The worker glanced over his shout
der at another man who sat behind
him, saying indif1ierently:
"Here you are, slug seven.''
Slug seven, who had evidently been
longing for 'sub," threw himself
carelessly of hi, stool, depositing q
dozen lines OF type on the stone
and turning to the stranger, said
want to work? Jump on to that
case"
The tramp hesitated-only a second
-murmuring something about being
tired; then YEARLY took off his shabby
coat, exposing to view shirt which
had no original color, and vest
equally grlmy and diIapidate'l. But
when once at work, sending the type
hlther and thither in the process of
distribution, the weary look on his
face grew trifle less perccptible, and
an occasional smile larked in the cor.
ner OF his mouth at the Jokes that
went around the room.
Outside, the November sleet beat
against windows, and the streets wei
almost deserted. Within the COM
posing-room all was life and fun and
laughter; merry talk mixed with the
click, click of type from hundred
fingers.
Thoughtless. light-hearted workers,
earning their money deity and swift
~, and managing to be dead broke"
each week rs payday came around.
"Where did you work ]ast?" asked
ayoung fellow who stood beside the
tramp.
''ln Philadelphia, he answered,
stopping his work for moment.
But that was two weeks ago, haven
had any work since"
"Thar's hard luck" carelessly.
1--WE fellows are used to that" with
little bitter laugh.
"Prctty tired, aren't your" said
"slug seven, 4" walking up and noticing
the weary look in his subs" face.
eyes; and | have a pain between
my shoulders that cut like q knife. l
must work tonight, though" turning
away to pick up Il handful OF type.
A toll. heavy.bui!t man stalked in
TO the room at this juncture. He
glanced sharply at the new man, TAX
ing in his general outside appearance
in one swift look, from the brown. UNI
shaver face to the shabby shoes that
scarcely concealed his feet. A sudden
hush fell upon the noisy crowd. The
business manager OF the concern was
: not inclined to encourage levity. He
walked over to the foreman's table,
whispered something in his ear ana re.
Ceived the answer.
Hes al tight; a little rough-look-
ing, but printer is printer we re
three frames short tonight"
The business manager walked out,
after which the Jokes and general free.
dom OF speech were resumed.
Six o'clock sounded from the differ.
emit city shop.bells, the whistles blew.
the old composing-room clock Changed
out six sharp notes. The Office was
nearly deserted. The tramp fingered,
looking with true compositor's
pride at the heapedup case out OF
which he might 'pull a good string"
II he were not so tired, and that old
pain in his shoulders were not quite
SO sharp, though almost taking his
breath at times.
ut looks as il would have to wait
till lunch-time for my supper, but it's
long time till IL O'Clock tonight, "
he SAID to himself, as he walked over
to the sink to wash up. No one had
seemed to notice that he must need
food-that he would be obliged to
bunk under his case-in the
waste-box, or press.room-anywhere
to procure q lodging outside. None
OF the smart yonng printers who held
regular cases on that enterprising
sheet could be expected to take to
their respectable boarding places q
man so dirty and uncouth.lo looking as
this tramp. Even if their hearts
prompted any such action, the fear of
being snubbed by their landladies for
the generous deed overruled all
thought III that direction.
At half past.six one VI the men CON-
ing into the room lonnd the Sub"
seated on T. stool, resting one arm
or his case, his hand covering his eyes.
As he did not look up the man spoke
with pleasant Indifference.
\ been out to supper"
NO" in q doked voice, II am
dead broke"