The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-03-17
STRUCK BY A STRIKER.
BY N. QUAD.

hard up. It would have been plain to man riding at gallop that there had been gross mismanagement of his energies and finances. He kept sizing me up as l drew nearer. The result appeared satisfactory until distance of only ten feet separated us. Then wave of disappointment swept over his face, or would have done so had it been given half a show. He was disappointed in me. didn't look like a man who'd yield up quarter with out getting value received. I was just passing him when he changed his estimate and abandoned his theory. l was the kind of man after all, and he put out his hand and whisperingly inquired;
 "Can speak with you moment?"
 "Certainly."
 "Thanks. have letter here from my brother in Chicago. He writes that my wife ia dead. and of course I want to go home. Could you spare me a quarter towards my railroad fare?"
 "Oh, yes"
 "Many thanks. I tell you, mister, I'm playing in hard luck"
 "So you are. Sorry for you"
 That evening I met him face to face two blocks further down. We recog- nized each other instantly l was about to ask him if he had succeeded in getting ticket when he said:
 "Say, mister, let me speak with you"
 Certainly"
 "It's the first time I ever had to ask for anything of the sort, but I want to get to Chicago. Here's letter in- forming me of the death of my wife"
 "And of course you want me to give you lift financially. Will a quarter be of any help?"
 "Oh, yes, sir, I thank you ever SO much. Heaven will surely reward you"
 That night he went on a bowling drunk and was arrested, but when taken to the police court he begged off. He was considerably rattled, but on the second day he placed himself across my path again. l could realize as came along up that he was think ing;
 "Here comes that old bald head that I've hit twice before. He came down so easy that I'll try him again"
 And as l came up he cleared his throat and said:
 Say, mister, just let me speak a word to you"
 "Certainly."
 "Here is letter from Chicago in- forming me of the death of my wife" !"
 "Poor fellow!"
 "And I want to go home to- night" ]"
 "Of course you do. The train leaves from the Third -street depot at eight o'clock"
 "Yes, sir, but Pm broke, sir. Pm just out of the hospital, and If you could chip in little I'd be so very"
 "Why, of course. Here's quarter for you, and hope you'll have no trouble getting enough to buy your ticket. Pm always sorry for a man in your fix"
 "Bless you, sir. Pll never forget this, neverw
 This was early in the morning. At five o'clock, as l went home, l saw him about a block away. He was waiting for me, and he intended to say:
 "Sorry, sir, to have to trouble you again. You are the gent who SO kindly gave me quarter this morning to help buy my ticket for Chicago. lack dollar yet, and if dared to hope-that is, if you would be so kind of heart as te give me another quarter I think could manage"
 And he had it all planned out that l would reply:
 "Oh, yes, l remember you. And you still lack a dollar2 Here, take this half"
 But when l had approached him within twenty feet, and he was clear ing his throat to get the proper pathos worked up runaway horse came along and created a diversion. A crowd gathered, and in the excite ment the striker lost sight of me. I saw him trotting around through the crowd like hound in search of hare, but he failed to hit the trail. At nine o'clock next morning, however, for tune smiled on him again. He didn't intend to take chances this time. He had probably reasoned during the night that if 1 saw him waiting for me l would stop short or turn back. He was therefore hidden in doorway and he came out upon me suddenly and began:
 "Heaven knows how hard it is for me to have to ask another favor of you who have been 30 kind, but"
 Flavor of me! never granted you favor. l never saw your face be- fore What is 1t. my man?" "Why. sir. I want to % fo Chicago