Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-30
HIS sORROwFUL STORY.
1t Went All Right Until He Came to the
Bath.

II Went All Right Until He Came to the
Bath.
From the Chicaso Tribune
"Before yoa turn me away from your door.
sir, i" began the battered specimen of manhood
on the back porch, Il Ash - favor that you
hear my story"
rs ii . long story9" Aaked the man Of the
house.
ITO narrate it in detail would require some
thing like an hour and a half, but can give
the principal points of it in few minutes"
"ioa may give il 10 me in its abbreviated
FORM"
II was born in Ohio"
Chow old are you now?'
"Forty-three."
Please skip about forty-two years and
Across the face Of the rickety-looking tourist
nasAed spasm of pain, but he resolutely
Drought MS narrative down TO modern times.
inserting row OF stars, he said. ito repre-
sent tnat portion of my history which rnay he
rity--"
And decay" suggested the listener.
AUD decay" assented the eleemosynary
wanserer, Il will come to this events that have
SNAPPED my career for the last few years"
III you find that the recital of the facts agi-
mouse, feelinglv. ''yoa can lean up against the
side OF the porch"
thanks, replied the man, drawing himself
up with dignity Il am accustomed - all kinds
OF treatment. Your sarcasm is not lost upon
me, SIR, but am Injured to hsrdships OF this
Inscription. Shafts oi satire do not pene trate,
may SO express myself, the armor-the-
The incrustation." said the other, coming
to his relief
The moral coat Of mail that protects my in
ner sen from hurt and injury" proceeded the
H'eier' ignoring the suggestion. They do
not pierce 1t. Ii may interest You and IT m ay
not, TO learn that am refugee"
From Russiay''
No. sir. From Mississippi. am a food
sufferer"
so soon?"
The refugee couahed deprecating cough.
Il could easily explain the celebrity OF my
movements, lie replied, but ut your request
l nave drawn veil over my history almost UP
70 the present moment. suffice it to Say was
Hood sufferer a few days ago. Today | an
here. few days ago was happy. contented
aWeiier Ia Mississippi. Today | am d home
| less wanderer. Unprepared for disaster, no
dreaming OF the horrors to come, walked
Oklanoochee-"
1T was the Tombigbee, wasn't it?"
You are right. 1t was the Tombigbee. Life
woodland. the meadow, the cultivated field
possessed OF sufficient means TO enjoy life
#ithoot the depressing necessity of engaging
IN manual labor. 1t was too bright to last
The enchanting dream was followed by swift
awakening The rains descended. the food,
| came and the lovely Observation-Disclosures
| became roaring food. j. swept away the ae
foundations OF years. 1t reduced me to penury
| IN moment. Yet 1 did not abandon my home
until driven 10 the last extremity. As the roar
Ing waters mounted 1 climbed to the roof o.
my dwelling. l remained there until the top
most brick In the highest chimney was sub
! merged and then feariessly committed myself
| to the water. swami"
"Hold on You fearlessly committed your
SELF to the water, did you?"
Il did. sir. L SWAN until"
THAT will do, my friend. Ihave listened pa
hent!y to your story. | have accepted without
argument your statements concerning youl
former prosperity and present adversely. have
been much interested i'll the abbreviated history
| Of your life and sufferings. have thrilled with
sympathy for you. my friend. My generous i'm
pulses have been stirred to their Utmost de pths
and have felt the tears of compassion wellinp
up from their hidden source, but If you don
climb down off this porch and take yoursel
out Of these premises in less than no time. yor
| lazy. dirty. lying, worthless, rum-nosed vaga
bond, I'll kick Won clear up through YOU
greasy old hat, Get outr'
THE next time work off that story" NUT
! tered the grimy tourist TO himself after he haC
got safely outside the gate and started on dow,
the street, ''I'll omit that swimming bath. l
didn't seem to wash"