Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-11-03

Archy thought, that he had ever seen. III
this was Warmers wife, perhaps he was a
lucky fellow after all
He wondered if there was anything to
eat in the house. She did not look as if
there was. But for the life of him he
dared neither ask her nor order anything
to be sent from the nearest provision deal
er's, and though he thought of all kinds
Of expedients for getting shilling inside
the door that should look as if it belonged
to one Of them, and had been mislaid, none
Of them were feasible. If it had been dusk,
he thought, scanning the water spout
with a critical eye, he might have clam
bered on the roof and dropped the shilling
down the chimney. He was nearly as tall
as the house already, and he could climb
like sailor. But it was broad daylight,
and at last-he had been lounging all this
time in front Of a small grocer's shop close
by--he turned away in despair, rejecting
that, after all, Warner had had a days
work on Monday, and it was only Wednes-
day. He would go now into some quarter
Of the city and look for work himself For
work? Well, yes 1t was hardly that h
consciously made up his mind to do so.
But that was what he did.
It was a month later, and Archy had not
however, had he found regular work. II
he had gone.to the right quarters, it may
be said, OF course, he might have found it.
He might have been assisted to emigrate,
and a dozen things. But, unluckily, the
poor are seldom conversant with the many
admirable schemes set on foot for their re-
lief, aud Archy had a general idea that
philanthropic institutions only drove an
individual from one official to another, with
out really doing anything for him. 1t was
mistake, of course, but one Of the natural re-
suits Of the division Of labor. Archy stood,
indeed. for a moment outside the doors OF
the general relief committee; but there the
beautiful probability Of his story of hay
Ing "A place as omnibus conductor that he
had not been dismissed from, and yet
could not 20 back TO, owing to having
heard white faced girl, through win
dow, singing the Meeting Of the Waters"
las related to credulous relief commit
/ tee-struck him so forcbly that he broke
into loud laugh as be turned away.
But it was not a CHEEKY laugh. Though
he had given up his old lodging and been
sleeping where he could, the few pence he
runtrived to earn were not enough TO keep
him. and for weeks he had not had
hearty meal. A dun despair was creeping
over him but he tramped blindly on ask
ing for work, till he fancied that the Off
riala at different establishments were look
| ing on him with suspicion, as one whom
they had refused before Aud all the time
he knew that he might so back to his old
place. Warner would give it up without
murmur or grudge; he was that kind
Of fellow. Then he fancicd Warner going
home to tell his wife the news and then
he fell to wondering how they were get
| ting on. He fancied he would 90 and see.
| That day when Warmers omnibus
stopped at the end OF the rate, at l
O'Clock, every passenger had left il. They
| had a quarter Of an hour to wait, and the
driver slipped hastily across to his favorite
| public house, which was conveniently sit
uated. Warner looked eagerly up and
down the street as If expecting some one;
| but it was almost deserted. There was a
policeman a little way down; there was a
shabby looking fellow standing nc the
corner against lamppost with his hat
slouched over his eyes-no one else
| Warmers face fell; but ii lightened again
| ia a moment, as a girlish figure emerged
from street nearly opposite, and ran
lightly across to the omnibus Warner
held out his hand and she sprang in.
Here it is, Sac said proudly, unpack
ing her small basket. "ACu can't guess
what I've made You for dinner today, and
If You eat it now do believe it viii be
hot"
Meat pie. Janet.n said Warner "Well,
You are cook and no mistake. I've twelve
minutes-blest If there aiu't that unfor
tunate old lady who always comes quar-
ter of an hour before we're timed TO start. y
''Shes a long way of, " said Janet, witt
look Of disappointment $50 on witt
your pie, VIII; she won't be here yet
awhile"
But the old lady, having made various
frantic and far off signals was increasing
her speed, which suggests 70 a casual ob
; server the inadvisability in general way
: OF attempting to persuade woman that
tram OF train, which she literally sees be
fore her with horses or an engine attached
Z * not going TO start till the time appointed
Statistics are very well-she sees the tim
table Nothing has altered, il never starte
: before then; it never will NO-Oh, no; bu
= the safest side is inside.
II VERY well, them" said Warner relu'
= family Hang the old girl-look at he
4 umbrellaiN
They kissed each other hastily in I'll
&c omnibus, thinking that no one saw them
Least Of all the aimless vagahond at th
r corner with ha. slouched over his eyes, WI
y Was looking at nothing. He-ah, ~
Then Janet sprang down again; and pre-
~ emily the old lady mounted the step, an
y Warner ate HIS pie furtively, between mai
2 tanning a conversation on the drink trafh
+, a subject in which his passenger seemed
take an absorbing interest; but then 81
" had had her lunch before she started. Y
" Warner had also time 10 reflect, pleasant
~ on how much better Janet was lookin
" and what coloS she had, and wondere
y also, If the young man who had gone in Il
=, country would be back tomorrow, al
y couldn't help hoping not Then more ps
Z, sengera entered, and the driver hurri
~ back at the last moment, stufIing a lar
fragment Of bread and butter into
II pocket; and the omnibus rolled away.
" But that night, when Warner return
VI TO the small house in Dix street, he fou
Ne note thrust under the door that no o
!, had noticed II ran thus:
Z. DEAR Mr.. WARMER leave this note
. =, passing, 70 say have given up my place
Z, conductor Tor good, and therefore hope y
On will stick to it as long as it suits you. l he
OF nude up my mind TO stay downin the count
asst Yours, with best wishes,
AZ. ARCny JOHNSTON
y -Mnv Kendall In Murrav's NagaZine