Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1891-07-30

seated on u stool, resting one arm
on his case, his hand covering his eyes.
,As he did not look up the man spoke
hWith pleasant indifference.
"Been out to supper"
"No," in a choked voice, II am
dead broke"
You must have some supper" said
his questioner, you will not be able
to work tonight. You are nearly tir-
ed out now. | imagine
ooh, no, l can work. must work
tonight"
The man made no answer, but Teav-
ing the room, returned presently with
a lunch from q bakery.
Here, my man. this will set youup
Till ,ulcl-tlme, when the boys Will give
you II bite, no doub5."
''Thank you," he answered, the
tears coming into his eyes-immedi-
ately looking little ashamed of it.
"What q 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
task before INN, anxious to do his
best. The usual amount of working
the hook" was INDUCED in; no one
hesitated to soldier" little. for a
fat take OF editorial or 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.
"Pul out, the next is a head and
twelve leads"
But the "sub" could not "pul 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."
"4ou must be ratified" his neighbor
said, laughing at him quietly.
ga little nervous. l guess" he an
swereu, Saying notnlIlg vi Tue ureau1u,
weakness and WEAKNESS that was
stealing over him, while the old, sharu
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. II 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 20
out for a breath OF fresh air, he said,
but he did not return.
II 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 q breath OF fresh air he
said"
cor drink" remarked another.
mo matter, thirty is on the hook"
Click, click, went the type in the
sticks. The sleepy galley boy was
reused Tor his last task that night;
the last form went rattling down the
elevator to the press-room, and still
the ''sub" did not return.
"Gone to look for lodgings, per.
haps," laughed one, as the gang stood
around the sink, each waiting his turn
at the soap and water and mourning
towel.
"He'lI find them in the city hall; he
looks like a rough customer" said an
other.
IA very quiet sort of fellow,
thought, said them an who had work
ed beside him. "He was sick and
tired; all he wants is a good nights
rest"
''And clean shirt"
"And shave"
"Oh, come now, boys; you may be
on the road yourselves, yet, and look
as rough as this man"
mot while can stand off the bar
Der and the tailor" was the answer.
But the tramp where was hep A
little bewildercd by the change from
the lights of the composing-room to
the G imly-llghted street, he stool for
moment, scarcely knowing where he
was.
The fire of fever was in his ewes, 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
Bile pain that clutched at every
breath.
The city lights grew farther apart
the brick blocks faded away into
quiet country roads. Still he walked
on until, half unconscious he sank be-
sidr the way. and could go no farther.
The shabby hat fell back from his
head, revealing a forehead broad and
high; the great, sad eyes gazed up in
an unseeiny 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 q picture. a long. low,
vine covered house-a porch in front
where q woman 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 he left
her standing alone beneath the vines
and climbing roses.
Then another scene drifted through
the dulled and weary brain. A place