Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-06-29
qHE END OF THE ROAD.
,..t for Weary Feet, and Hands,
and Heart, and Brain

HI came lhlo '"O '"'''""o
:. .ternoon, nearly exhausted from
7" IN, walk of twenty-five miles since
ling and wet and cold with the
r.m.l rain and sect that was falling
ou's;de.
ia did not present an attractive ap-
.,,,.nce-a fac, that needed both
,L,vine and washing. browne by
constant exposure-a and a pair of great
.rss that looked hungrily around the
,ir,uce room as if in search Of some-
,h;rg he never found; coat that
rirht once have graced the form Of a
r.1Ileman of leistra-probably con-
'yib,ted by some dude" printer in
Ohilanthropic mooI. but which had
1onc since lost the trace of respect
,b1ity-an old SLOUGH hat. battered by
rind and weather, and hard usage,
Ike its owner.
No one could have told. or even
guessed with any degree Of accuracy.
The mans age. He may have been
ff,y or thirty five years old. No mat
TRIO ono cared suffi GENTLY to in
oa;re or wonder H walked slowly
.cross the room, stopping at last to
watch dreamily the deft fingers of one
Of the printers who was dis tribating
bis case for the nights work.
The worker glanced over his
shoulder at another man WHO sat be-
bind him, saying indiffcrently:
Here YOU are, slug seven. :"
Slug seven. WHO had evidently been
longing for sub. -" threw himself
esreesslv off his stool. deposi ed a
dozen lines Of typ, on the stone, and
turning 10 the stranger, said:
want to work? Jump on that
easr."
The tramp hesitated-only n second
-murml ring something about being
tired; then YEARLY took IF his shabby
coat, exl osiug to view shirt which
bad no or ginal color. and a vest
equally griiny and dclapidated. Bat
WHEN once at work. sending the type
hither an ihither in the process OF
d.s,ribu ior, the weary look on his face
grew tr.A less percep iblc. ard an
occasional smile lurked in the corner
Of lis mouth at the jokes that went
around the room.
Outside, the November sieet bea,
against windows. and the ree's were
Il al =.
Ing room all was life and fun anl
laughter; merry talk mixed with the
click, click of type from a hundred
fng'rs,
Thoughtlcss, light hearted workers,
earning their money deity and swift
ly. ami managing to be dead broke
each week us payday came around
"Where did you work last?' asked
young fellow, who stood beside tn
tramp
In Philadelphia" he answered
siol ping his work for moment. "Bu
that was two weeks ago; haven't ha
any work since"
THAT'S hard luck" carelessly.
I'VE fellows are used 10 that wit
little, bitter laugh.
Pre- ty tired. aren't you3" sal
Slug seven" walking up aud noticin
the weary look in his subs" face.
Yes; and l have pain between m
shoulders that cuts like knife imu
work tonight though" turning ava
10 pick up handful of type.
A tall, hcavily-built man stalked il
TO the room at this juncture. /
glance | sharply at the new man. tai
Ing in his general outside appea
snce in one swift look. from Il
brown, unshaven face to the shabl
Shnes that scarcely concealed his fee
A sudden hush fell upon the moi
crowd The business manager OF +
Concern was not inclined 10 ercnu
age levity. H walked over to I
tor'man's table. whispering SON
thing in his ear and received the a
swnr:
HIS all right; little, rough-loo
ing but printer is printer; we
Three frames short tonight"
The business manager walked OF
ate which the jokes and genel
freedom of speech were resumed.
Six o clock sounded from the diff
en-, city shop-beils, the whistles ble
The old compassionate M clock c!anS
out six sharp notes. The Office "
nearly deserted. The tramp linger'
locking with true compositor' pr
al the hearel-up case GU OF which
might pull good string. II
were not so tired. an | that old p'
IN his shoulders were nos quite
sharp, though almost taking
breath at times.
III looks as If / would have to W
I'LL lunch time for my supper. but
long time till twelve o'clock
hight" he said to himself IS
walked over to the sink. to wash
No one seemed to notice that he m
heed fooi-that he would
obliged to bunk under
ease - in the waste box,
press-room-anywhere for want G
little money to procure lodging
side. None of tho smart young pr
ers who held regular cases on tina.
ierprising sheet could be expected,
lake 10 their respectable ooaro
places man so dirty and nnco.
looking as this tramp Even II u