The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-14
" THAMES"

Tho humorist OF the house. the tall. raw
boned Billy Nash. calker from the navy yard.
was standing in the rear OF the crowd. In the
midst Of the pathetic silence that was now
brooding over the place and moving some few
hearts there toward compassion. he began to
whimper. then he put his handkerchief to his
eyes and buried his face In the neck OF the
bashfullest young follow In the company.
navy yard blacksmith. shrieked. Oh. pappy.
how could you.' and began to bawl like teeth-
ing baby. II one may imagine baby with the
energy and the devastating voice OF a jackass.
SO perfect was the imitation OF q child's cry.
and SO vast the scale Of it, and So ridiculous
the aspect OF the performer. that all gravity
was swept from the place as II BY hurricane
and almost everybody there joined in the
crash Of laughter provoked by the exhibition.
Then the small mob began to take its revenge
revenge for the discomfort and apprehension
it had brought upon itself by its own too rash
freshness Of a little while before. 1t guyed its
poor victim. baited him. worried him. as dogs
do with cornered cat The victim answered
back with deflaucos and challenges which in
cluded everybody. and gave the sport new
spirit and variety: but when he changed
his tactics. and began to single out individuals
and invite them by name. the fun lost its fun
niness aud the interest Of the show died out
along with the noise.
Finally Marsh was about TO take an inning.
but Barrow said: "'"
Never mind now. leave him alone You've
no account with him but money account.
I'll take care OF that myself"
The distressed and worried landlady gave
Barrow q fervontly grateful look for his cham
pionship OF the abused stranger: and the pet
Of the house. q very prism in her cheap but
ravishng Sunday rig. blew him kiss from the
tips Of her fingers and snid. with the darling
est smile and . sweet little toss OF her head:
You're tho only man here. and I'm going to
Set my cap for you. you dear old thing"
For shame. Puss. How you talk! l never
saw such child"
1t took a good deal OF argument and persua-
sion-that is to say. petting. under these dis
guises-to get Tracy to entertain the idea Of
breakfast. He at first said he would never eat
again in that house. and added that he had
enough flrmness OF character. he trusted. to
enable him to starve like man when the al
tentative was to eat insult'with his bread.
When he had finished his breakfast Barrow
took him to his room. furnished him a pipe.
and said. cheerily:
Now. old fellow. take in your battle flag out
Of the wet; you're not in the hostile camp any
more You're o little upset by your troubles.
and that's natural enough. but don't let your
Illuu run VII tucui yOu Cou Hclps
drag your thoughts away from your troubles
by the ears. by tho heels. or any other way. SO
you manage it: it's the healthiest thing
body can do: dwelling on troubles is deadly
Just deadly-and that's the softest name
there Is for 1t. You must keep your mind
amused-you must indeed"
"Oh. miserable mo-
Don't! There's just pure heartbreak in
that tone. It's just as say: you've got to get
right down to it and amuse your mind. as II 1t
was salvation"
They're easy words to say. Barrow. but how
am going to amuse entertain. divert mind
that finds itself suddenly assaulted and over
whelmed by disasters OF a sort not dreamed OF
and not provided for? Mono. tho bare idea
OF amusement is ropulsive to my feellnGs. Let
US talk OF death and funerals"
"No-not yet. That would be giving up the
ship. Well not give up tho ship yet I'm
going to amuse you: I sent Brady out for tn Q
wherewithal before you finished breakfast"
lyon did? What Is IT."
Come. this is good sign-curiosity Oh.
there's hope for you yet"