Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-11-12
THE MAN WITH A THUMB.


 lptth the thumb cutter tue door.
 Lost in gloomy thought he wandered on, caring little whither he went. He reached Third avenue without knowing why he had walked in that direction.
 Near the corner an elderly man, with long hair and beard, had erected a frail, low platform which he had lit up with oil lamps He was an itinerant phrenolo- gist, and was holding forth in long words and execrable grammar upon the mar vicious head of a street gamin he had per suaded to submit to examination. Over his head was a placard, "A man is what he makes himself"
 Dorison did not ask what pertinency the aphorism might have to the old mans occupation, but applying it to himself laughed bitterly, and asked aloud: ''Is chance-a chip on the rushing waters of life can neither resist nor control"
 He stopped idly to listen to the street fakir as he gulled his auditors, standing on the outer edge of the circle in a shadow. Firing of listening, he turned to go, when his attention was attracted by figure which seemed familiar. A glance sufficed to show that it was the young man he had encountered at the time of the accident to Miss Eustace, who was so insolent. Perceiving that | he was not observed by the young man, he determined to remain where he was, | rather than encounter for a second time | the one who had filled him with such repugnance.
 The young man, dressed as he was in the afternoon, lounged under the shadow | of a covered entrance to the rear of the corner saloon. As Dorison watched him a man, sharp eyed and alert in his bear ing, taking note of everything about him, passed by. Dorison heard low, shrill whistle, and thought he discovered an exchange of signals between the new conner and the lounger, but so rapid and insignificant were they that, perceiving no change in the attitude of the young man, and seeing the other one pass on, l he concluded he was mistaken. l A moment later the sharp eyed man returned, passing close to the lounger in the shadow, and this time Dorison saw | plainly that Q folded paper was trans ferred from the lounger to the passer by who went on a little distance and ther sauntered back. AS he passed the lounger he said. without turning his head:
 "When?"
 "Tonight," replied the lounger.
 The sharp eyed man joined the circle of those listening to the phrenoIogist listened moment, and then stepping back said:
 | "What hour2"
 Between twelve and one," came tn, answer from the lounger.
 The alert man again joined the circle and again listening moment stepped back and Dorison heard the further ex change:
 "How many?"
 "Three."
 With this the alert young man walked off rapidly toward the corner and disap peared. The lounger emerged from hi shadow and went off in the direction o Broadway.
 Mysterious" muttered Dorison 'Now, what can that mean? If wer Cathcart I presume I would construc the theory of a great crime or a hug conspiracy"
 He came out of the dark corner. / young woman was coming down tn street intent upon her own thoughts humming tune. As she came opposit the entrance to the saloon referred to a the one under the shadow of the cove of which the antipathy of Dorison wa lounging, the door was flung open and loudly dressed man, partially intoxi cated, came out.
 Seeing the young woman he cried out
 "Hello, Bess, old gal"
 "Go way" she replied, trying to evad