The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-07-02

IF / over meet = hungry beggal
again, thought he, when the food hat
begun to talso effect, "I'll treat him to {
ten-course dinner"
The world took on different aspec
as he ate. He felt sure that every thing
would come out right. His acquaint
ance at Murray street would gladly helI
him out of his predicament, and he
could laugh at his strange experience
With tight waist band and ninety-fivs
cents in his pocket, no was rich mar
again as he strollcd up to the desk tc
pay his check. Jus. there temptation
seized upon him. He wanted to smoke
1t seemed as If his longing for food had
been feeble to his present craving fol
just one fragrant Whit Of tobacco.
''How much are those cigarsp" he
asked, indicating some which the mar
at the desk had just spread before Gus
toner.
Fifteen cents-two for 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 II
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 mover 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 II. Billings,
in white letters on window Of the
lower story, set all doubts at rest; and,
indeed, the man himself sat at a 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
tho circuit Mr.. Billings was no longer
in sight. Tho 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. II
you hurry up there you can catch him.
Have you got message for him9'
mo; wish to see him personally"
go on" said the boy, "you want to
strike him for the price OF q beer"
Drane could not wait to reprove the
youth for his impudence. He was In
too much Of hurry to get TO tho depot.
He learned that the train which Mr..
Billings was to take left at six o'clock.
1t was shen half-past FIVE.
When he had reached the street he re-
Elected that It would be necessary to
know where the Grand Central depot
was, before going there. He had sup
posed that II 1t was central" II must
be near at hand, and he learned with
horror that 1t was more than three miles
away. To reach 1t on foot in time was
out Of the question, and he had not
centl
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 tho 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 a fash:
"This road goes TO Trenton. Bob Tyler
my old friend Bob-lives there, and
he'll let me have thousand quicker
than wink II can only reach him."
But how to do it2 Supported by
good dinner he would have started along
the ties cheerfully, but ferry was q
different matter. How he regretted the
extravaganza that had left him penni.
lessl
Across the street from tho 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 q nights
lodging, and with this purpose in mind
he entered the hotel Office and asked TO
see the directory. While he was consult
ing 1t q man with concertina In his
hand dropped into q chair near him.
'Hello, Billy" said the clerk to the
new arrival, where's your side partnerp"
~ 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 a lone hand to-night2"
Guess I'll have to. / can do the
dancing all right, but can't sing.
You'd better come along, Jimmy, and
try your little song on the public"
Jimmy laughed, and 1t was evident
that the offer was intended Us joke;
but 1t set Lawrence thinking. The
man with tho ooncertina took seat in
remote corner and appeared 10 be
somewhat downcast. Lawrence ap-
preached him.
"Did I understand you TO say that
you were going to give an entertain
mont somewhere and desired singer"
he asked.
Billy looked up with an amused stare.
''Can you sing7" he inquired. "No
foolin', now. l took q feller on his
word some years ago, and whom he
opened his mouth aboard tho ferry-boat
the passengers came pretty near throw
in US both overheard"