Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-06-02
HIS soRRoWFUL STORY.
It Was a Pretty Fair Story, All but TIL
Swimming Bath,

Swimming Bath.
Before you turn me away from your
door, sir" began the battered specimen of
manhood on the back porch Il ask us a
favor that you hear my story"
as it a long story" asked the man Of
the house.
ITO narrate it in detail would require
something like an hour and half, but
can give the principal points of it in a few
minutes"
you may give it to me in its abbre-
Waited FORM"
II was born in Ohio
How old are you now"
"Forty-three."
please skip about forty-two years and
eleven months"
Across the face of the rickety looking
tourist flashed spasm Of pain, but he reso.
lutely brought his narrative down to mod,
ern times.
inserting a row of stars" he said, "to
represent that portion Of my history which
may be described as my childhood, growth,
maturity"-
"And. decay" suggested the listener.
And decay" assented the eleemosynary
wanderer, II will come to the events that
have shaped my career for the last few
days"
"If you find that the recital of the facts
agitate you too much" said the master OF
the house feelingly, you can lean up
against the side of the porch"
Thanks" replied the man, drawing
himself up with dignity. 81 am accus-
toned to all kinds Of treatment Your
sarcasm is not lost upon me, sir but am
Injured to hardships of this description
Shafts of satire do not penetrate if may
so express myself, the armor the
the"--
1.-THE incrifstation," said the other, COM
ing to his relief.
THE moral coat of mail that protects my
inner self from hurt and injury" proceeded
the traveller, ignoring the suggestion.
"They do not pierce it, 1t may interest
you and it may not to learn that | am a
refugee"
From RussiaS"
mo, sir. From Mississippi am a flood
sufferer"
$50 soont"
The refugee coughed depreciating
cough.
81 could easily explain the celebrity of
my movements" he replied, "but at your
request have drawn veil over my his.
tory almost up to the present moment.
Suffice it to say | was a flood sufferer
few days ago. Today am here A few
days ago was happy, contented dweller
in Mississippi. Today am homeless
wanderer. Unprepared for disaster, not
dreaming of the horrors to come | walked
about my little plantation in the valley of
the Oklahoochee"-
ut was the Tombigbee, wasn't t."
you are right. 1t was the Tombigbee
Life was a dreamy idyl Care free
roamed the woodland, the meadow, the
cultivated field, possessed of sufficient
means to enjoy life without the depressing
necessity of engaging in manual labor 1t
was too bright to lastl The enchanting
dream was followed by swift awakening.
The rains descended, the floods came and
the lovely Observation-Disclosures
came roaring flood. 1t swept away the
accumulation of years. 1t reduced me to
penury in moment. Yet did not aban-
don my home until driven to the last ex-
tremity. AS the roaring waters mounted
climbed to the roof of my dwelling. re.
manned there until the topmost brick in
the highest chimney was submerged, and
then fearlessly committed myself to the
water. swami
Hold on! You fearlessly committed
yourself to the water, did you?"
II did, sir. swan until"---
"That will do, my friend have listened
patiently to your story. | have accepted
without argument your statements con.
corning your former prosperity and pres
ent adversely. have been much interested
in the abbreviated history of your life and
sufferings. have thrilled with sympathy
for you, my friend. My generous impulses
have been stirred to their inmost depths,
and | have felt the tears of compassion
yelling up from their hidden source, but
il you don't climb down off this porch and
take yourself out of these premises in less
than no time, you lazy, dirty, lying, worth
less, rum nosed vagabond I'll kick you
clear up through your greasy old hat! Get
out"
THE next time work off that story"
the grimy tourist to himself af-
ter he had got safely outside the gate and
started on down the street, "I'l omit that |
swimming bath 1t didn't seem to wash"
Chicago Tribune.