The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-07-13
pair of sharp cars of my own, and heard

"Yes, poor fool" Jack says, as easy
as you please; nothing mere to be got
f,om him. If he wants to borrow any
thing, Just give him the cold shake.
That's Just what | shall do. a fellows
got to look out for number one in this
world"
The man with Jack nodded. And l
remember thinking what healthy lot
of friends Smiths money had bought
him.
Well. after got through. stood up
like little man to pay for what I'd had
in my way. 1 sung 'em two or three
of the things that was popularest then,
but somehow they didn't seem tc take.
"Can't you give us something differ.
ent from those stale chestnuts!" some
one says, and l pulled up short. Twas
going to leave them then and there, but
Smith it was who stopped me.
"Never mind 'em, .Ioe," he says kind
of low like; cant you think of some
thing little Notwithstanding none
of US have heard"
Whatever made me do it don't know
to this day. 1t was what they used to
sing at st. Michael's Just one verse
was all could remember then:
Il was not always thus, Dor prayed that
Shouldst lead me on:
loved TO chose and see my path. But now
Lead Thou me on:
! loved the garish day, and spite Of tears,
frlde ruled my hsart. Remember not past
OF course l haven't got learning, 'cept
such kind as fellow picks up in the
street. And | never used to sense the
meaning of the church music, like l did
the tunes. And when 1 got through
wondered what made it so still in the
room for a minute.
Smith was the first one spoke. Not
spoke exactly, for it was a kind of
groan. Then he yanked his nat over his
eyes and went out.
''Guess you needn't go on, joe" says
Handsome Jack, " looking up; you've
drove one man off Already"
''Too rich for Smiths blood" another
one laughed, and SO they were going on,
when young fellow, who hadn't spoken
before, put in his word.
"Let up" he says. kind of serious
like. don't kick the man, now he's
down. The girl Smith was engaged to
used to be leading soprano at Trinity,
and people came from far and near TO
hear her sing that as a solo. 1t kin1 OF
upset him hearing it, suppose"
well, some laughed and some sneered,
but didn't wsit to hear what else was
said. A fellow showed quarter in my
hand and l slid out.
Smith was standing under the 'lectric
light on the corner, with his hans in his
pockets and his hat over mis- eyes as |
was goin' past. He catched me by the
shoulder NOT rough, though - and
twisted me round.
"Joe," he says. sudden like, eff had
some OF the money I've thrown away,
you should have new suit OF clothes
from top to toe"
For my buds was Just awful. and that's
he fact. Rags and patches, only the ,,
,ags was worst. And before l knowed
what he was doin', he went down on his
knees, and after fumblin' about his vest
. bit, pinned up the biggest tear of all,
o's the bare skin didn't show quite so
BAD in where my trowses was ripped :
rom knee up.
Course l didn't think nothing much of
more than it was kind OF a freak took
nm, till next mornin'. And if
'oull believe me, Smith had took
'in-opil, sot with little dimuns-outer
lis necktie Tor to pin up my rags with.
didn't know what to do at the first =,
# it, not having any idea where to look
or Smith. And not movin' IN VIVA: YOU :,
night call the highest circles, nv ,
quaintances mostly wasn't them 70 =,
are to ask advice of regardin' jewelry.
But there's a young lady lives up nigh
Washington Square that was awful
,ood to mother while she was sick. She
Belongs to guild" l think they call :.
I'm, and teaches a mission school down I.
n our ward, where | used to drift in
of Sunday. I took the pm
o her and told her the whole story.
She turned wh;ter'n one of the marble
in her parlor when the sees the