Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-04-30

e6d4h to NO obTOllcQ up 10 Inc QeSk 10
pay his check. Just there temptation
seized upon him. He wanted to smoke.
1t seemed as if his longing for food had
been feeble to his present craving for
just one fragrant Whit of tobacco.
How much are those cigars?" he
asked, indicating some which the man
at the desk had just spread before GUS
toner.
Fifteen cents-two for a quarter, -
was the reply.
Drane reflected that man so poor as
he was could not afford to pay fifteen
cents for cigar when he could get it
for twelve and half by simply purchas-
ing two. Overcome by this unassailable
arithmetic, he laid down his last quar-
ter, and in another moment he was en-
joying one of the weeds for which New
York is justly infamous to such degree
as he had never enjoyed good one in
his life. But he was penniless again.
He crossed City Hall Park with firm
step, and his head in the air. His woes
were floating away in smoke; his hopes
were high. He walked down Murray
street and quickly found the number he
sought The name Richard H. Billings,
in white letters on a window of the
lower story, set all doubts at rest; and,
indeed, the man himself sat at desk in
plain view from the sidewalk. Lawrence
identified him at once from description,
and he felt that he was saved.
Mr.. Billings, however, was engaged in
earnest conversation, and Lawrence,
after staring at him minute through
the window, decided to walk around the
block and give him chance-to finish
his business. When he had completed
the circuit Mr.. Billings was no longer
in sight. The rolling top of the desk
was closed, and when Drane noted that
fact his heart stood still. He hurried
into the Office.
'Mr. Billings has just left for the
Grand Central depot, said an Office boy.
"He is going on to Boston tonight. If
you hurry up there you can catch him.
Have you got message for him2"
No; l wish to see him personally"
$50 on" said the boy, ''you want to
strike him for the price of a beer"
Drane could not wait to reprove the
youth for his impudence. lie was in
He learned that the train which Mr..
Billings was to take left at six o'clock.
1t was then half-past FIVE.
When he had reached the street he re-
flected that It would be necessary to
know where the Grand Central depot
was, before going there. He had sup
posed that if it was central" it must
be near at hand, and he learned with
horror that it was more than three miles
away. To reach it on foot in time was
out of the question, and he had not
cent!
He cursed his folly in leaving Billings
door unguarded, and was inclined to be
offended with Billings for going to Bos-
ton. The world had turned blue again.
He could see nothing ahead of him but
another night in the street.
For the next three hours he wandered
about the lower part of the town, and at
nine o'clock he found himself in front
of the Pennsylvania railroad ferry-house
at the foot of Cortlandt street. Then
the thought came over him like flash:
This road goes to Trenton. Bob Tyler
my old friend Bob-lives there, and
he'll let me have thousand quicker
than wink If can only reach him."
But how to do it? Supported by
good dinner he would have started along
the ties cheerfully, but a ferry was a
different matter. How he regretted the
extravaganza that had left him penni-
less!
Across the street from the ferry was
little ''high stoop" house used as an
hotel. Lawrence had come to the con-
clusion that he must look up some char
liable institution and ask for a nights
lodging, and with this purpose in mind
he entered the hotel Office and asked to
see the directory. While he was consult
ing it man with concertina in his
hand dropped into chair near him.
Hello, Billy said the clerk to the
new arrival, where's your side partner?"
Il donno," replied Billy. Guess
he's in the Jug. haven't seen him
since the three o'clock boat this morn
ing"
Going to play lone hand to-nigEtP"
''Guess I'll have to. I can do the
dancing all right, but l can't sing.
You'd better come along, Jimmy, and
try your little song on tho public"
Jimmy laughed, and it was evident
that the offer was intended as joke;
but it set Lawrence thinking. The
man with the ooncertina took seat in
remote corner and appeared to be
somewhat downcast. Lawrence ap-
preached him.
Ibid l understand you to say that
you were going 10 give an entertain
ment somewhere and desired a singer?''
he asked.
Billy looked up with an amused stare.
Can you sing?" he inquired mo
foolin', now. l took teller on his
word some years ago, and when he
opened his mouth aboard the ferry-boat
the passengers came pretty near throw
in US both overheard
Il didn't know that entertainments
were allowed on the ferry boats" said
Lawrence. There was sign prohibit
ing such things on the boat came over
in"
Don't worry about the sign" said
Billy. II stand in with ali the night
crews. Now can you sing, honestP
What do you know? All the old chest
nuts, / suppose. Give us sample. If
it's very bad IA beg the clerks pardon,
and you won't get shot"
Drane was amused. He had a tenor
voice of good power and compass, and
excellently cultivated. He looked Billy
squarely and sternly in the eye for a
moment and then gave him a short
vocal exercise somewhat pyrotechnic
in its charac er, and concluding with
sroooth ma11ayr howl in tho noirrA 1,s,,.-
hood of high c. Billy and every body
else in the place jumped to their feet,
but they did not run away, as Drane
had feared they might.
Say, said Billy, slowly, putting his
forefnger on the breast of Drane's coat,
that's great stuff. Just do that =
couDle Of times on board the boat while