Waco evening news. (Waco, Tex.) 1888-1889, 1888-08-21
THE CRUST DROPPER.
A MeNpIcANT's GAME WORKED ONLY
ON THE FAIR SEX.


Life was not a summers dream, but Q
nightmare of GOODNESS. The street car men
were lashing their horses; the drivers on the
walks were dancing around and sapping
their hands to force a warmth; the present
monarch cold-had played liquor-ic tricks
with the ears and nose of tho temperance ad
vocate as freely and literally as with his op
ponent, and everybody was rushing and try
ing to keep warm Just as l Grmly planted
the plates of my French heels in the lovely
ice on the corner Of Thrty-first street
poorly clad man jostlcd in front of ne, and
STOPPING, picked up from the pavement
crust of bread!
paused, started. Was it possible that
any one in New York was so in want that Ito
needs must eagerly clutch "A crust from be-
meath ones feet! Thus l pondered, as
watched him wipe it on his coat sleeve and
eve it grecdily. A little shudder swept over
me, and as l felt for my purse began {"
think where could get him work. 1t must
be horrible to be hungry on a cold day.
However, before had opened my purse that
one thing which wrecks SO much happiness
In this world came to me-doubt l had
Travelled Broadway at all hours, seasons aud
times. and never yet saw a crust of bred
possible for one to be there, but it was most
improbable The more thought, which
was done quicker than l can write it, the
more became convinced that there was
method in the mans display of hunger. AT
last thought it would not be bad idea tc
watch him and prove to my own satisfaction
what wanted to know. l would follow him
and if he ate the crust l could lavish On
him the charity that infused my soul before
chat demon doubt took possession of it.
After getting the crust he had stepped back
CT :ue, and, in order to force him to take the
lead, became very much interested in some
Strawberries and tomatoes and cucuInbers |
which, dreams of summer, were staring |
winter in the face from window. Thi3 |
little act had the desired effect, and the ny. |
passed on. l started after, determined 70 |
settle the doubt that worried me- | had q |
chance now to study his appearance. He was
clean, So despite other sins, he was somewhat
nearer to Goodness than most of the mem
bers of his profession. He wore a reddisr
uustache and whiskers, and black SLOUGH |
hat He was well built, and doubtless ; feet |
10 or IL inches in height. He wore a short
coat and blue overals. l noticed that he had |
a stuffed appearance, as if he was wearing |
two or more suits, SO decided that he was
not suffering from cold.
He had passed several persons without dis
playing the crust. and began to think he
was honest and my suspicious unfounded. l
had just concluded to speak to him and offer
aid when one of my feet started on tobog-
ban excursion without warming its mate AS |
felt it go murmured mentally: "Good-by, |
perpendicular" when an outstretched arm
helped me to gain my halance. [ looked up
into pair Of dark eyes and pressed coat |
sleeve, while gratefully expressed my thanks |
for the service The smile IN those dark |
eyes still burned in mine when looked ahead |
and saw M honest man in search of liveli.
hooi stoop before richly clad woman, who |
had girl with yellow, curly hair by tho |
hand She stopped as she noticed the act and |
FORGOT the laughing, dark eyes as hurried
OF, Ill time 20 see the child look up into her |
face md say plcadingly "Oh, mammal"
The man had also stopped and seemingly |
was removing all dirt from the crust no.
tico,l his eyes were fixed sharply on the wo. |
man. She opened her purse, and the child |
handed him some silver, which he received |
with uncovered head and an affecting ges |
ture of 4 coat sleeve across supposedly be-
dimned eyes. No, ] did not rush up and |
warn the uns,ispeeting woman I hate
Scenes; she would not miss the money, and ]
wanted to see the play to the end.
/ kept close tn a window during this little
ar and endeay ored to make my face speak
a admiration : was far from feeling for the
display therein Up Broadway the charita-
BILE couple Went, and down Broadway the
needy man, with me close by. I.got closer
than | expected. and was nonplussed when he
stopped on the curb of the walk | won
dered what my best move was, for dared
not attract his attention by stopping or by
passing him. l simply crossed the street /,
was in the middle of the block, and tie
snow was rather deep, but waded with the
best possible grace, for knew that we must
pay for every pleasure, Ny boots were high
SO considered this amusement seap.
quickly turned my eyes across the street
Just il. time to see the object of my walk step
In front of two women and bend to tho pave
ment. | saw his act clearly this time He did
not throw the crust on the pavement as | had
supposed, but kept it in his hand and merely
stopped in order to attract their attention
and in arising he deftly displayed the crust
in his hand as he brushed it on his sloeve,
The women did not look like S. IS. It's, BIZ,
they both gave him money.
The same touching thanks were completed
my professional beggar started on down ~
avenue, and so did |. Once again my beggar
worked his little game on two fat women.
hut they did not give him Nly;hing. Tho
heSgar never once dropped ths rust before
men. Trembling, l saw him 60 quickly in
crowd and apparently pick up the crust from.
before the feet of three women. The eldest
OF the lot crossed to him where he paused an
instant ON the curb and slipped something
h'to his hand
had just determined to wall mp to him
and quietly tell him he was watched When he
n mo. IL