The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1890-06-13

or Ills case, Ills mama covering MS eyes.
AS he did rot look up the man spoke
with pleasant indifference.
Been out to supper"
"No," in q choked voice, 81 am
dead broke"
You must have some supper" said
his ouestioner, you will not be able
to work tonight. You are nearly tir-
ed out now. | imagine"
"Oh, no, | can work. must work
tonight"
The man made nc answer, bu. Ieav-
ing the room, returned presently with
a lunch from q bakery.
Here, my man. this will set up
till lunch-time. when the boys will give
you a bite, no doubt"
Thank you," he answered, the
tears coming into his eyes-immedi-
ately looking a little ashamed of it.
What a fool | am" he said. as he
was again left alone, with only the
tick of the great clock and the gliding
cockroaches for company.
At seven o'clock the force were on
hand ready for work. No Jokes now,
but each man buckled down to the
tnsk before nm, anxious to do his
best. The usual amount of working
the hook" was INDUCED in; no one
hesitated to soldier" a little, for a
fat take of editorial or a cut which
would measure eight hundred. All
but the tramp-his ambition seemed
to be on the decline, as the hours
rolled by. Once his partner who
stood next to him said in an under
tone, as he walked to his place with a
dash rule take.
Pull out, the next is a head and
twelve leads"
But the "sub" could not "pull out"
The letters refused to come to his
hand with their customary readiness.
Twice in succession he "pied' a line,
and once he struggled full fifteen min
utes in the process OF making even"
You must be ratified" his neighbor
said, laughing at him quietly.
sm "A l.t s.y. nsr HSEning q gu Sns "a nni
weakness and WEAKNESS that was
stealing over him, while the old. sharp
pain never relaxed it steady,distress.
ing hold.
At lunch time he could eat nothing,
although the boys were profuse in
their offers to share with him. 81 am
not hungry" he said. The very words
choked him; the food would have
done the same.
Work was resumed, but the tramp
was not with the rest. He would 90
out for a breath OF fresh air, he said,
but he did not return.
81 guess slug seven's sub has Jump
ed his cases." remarked one of the
men to the foreman; he went out at
lunch time for a breath OF fresh air he
said"
"Or a drink" remarked another.
"No matter, thirty is on the hook"
Click, click, went the type in the
sticks. The sleepy galley boy was
reused for his last task that night;
the last form went rattling down the
elevator to the press-room, and still
the ssub" did not return.
"Gone to look for lodgings, per
haps" laughed one, Is the gang stood
around the sink, each waiting his turn
at the soap and water and mourning
towel.
"He'H find them in the city hall; he
looks like a rough customer" said an
other.
"a very quiet sort OF fellow, ]
thought" said them an who had work
ed beside him. "He was sick and
tired; all he wants is 3 good nights
rest"
''And a clean shirt"
"And a shave"
"Oh, come now, boys; you may be
on the road yourselves, yet, and look
as rough as this man"
Not while | can stand off the bar
Der and the tailor" was the answer.
But the tramp where was he2 A
little bewildered by the change from
the lights of the composing-room TO
the cimly-l1ghted street, he stoo ! for
q moment, scarcely knowing where he
was.
The fire of fever was in his eyes, the
flush of fever in his rough cheeks; his
head felt heavy and his heart bound.
ed against his side unanimously.
He walked slowly down the street,
farther and farther. turning here and
there, heedlessly-going he knew not
wherein any direction to escape
that ringing in his ears, and the terri
bic pain hat clutched at every
breath.
The city lights grew farther apart
the brick blocks faded a.way into
quiet country roads. Still he walked
on until, halt unconscious he sank be-
side the way, and could 90 no farther.
The shabby hat fell back from his
head, revealing a forehead broad and
high; the great, sad eyes gazed up in
an unseeing way at the moon that
drifted overhead, and looked down at
him pityingly from its fight through
heavy clouds.
Then between his face and the night
sky there crept a picture. A long, low,
vine. covered house, porch in front
where a oma stood, one hand on
the head OF a boy-a slender, pale-faced
lad. with. great. sad eyes. She kissed
his lips, and held his hand and MUIR
INJURED blessings on her child as ne left
her standing alone beneath the vines
and climbing roses.
Then another scene drifted through
the dulled and weary brain. A place
where mirth and wine and revelry ran
high, and one there-the gayest OF the
gay-a man with a pale face and sad