The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-18
CHAPTER VI.
WALTER JEPSON,

btIttu III IIOut VI Jne uHuertdkerS S mop
ping our eyes preparatory to returning to
our hotel, very seedy and dilapidated
old man came siding up to us. Address
ing my father, the seedy individual said: /:
my dear sir, one whose heart is sof-
tened by grief should be capable of feel
ing some slight degree of pity for man
who has great cause for grief, but whose
woes and misfortunes have long since
dried up his fountain of tears. One feels
that one may make bold to appeal to a
fellow sufferer in this cold and cruel
world for q trife in relief Of pressing
necessities when he sees that the person
he addresses is still capable of shedding
tears. Sir, I pray God that your grief
be not Of q nature so profound that no
room is to be found in your heart for
the sorrows and Affections of others.
Sir, you see before you an unhappy fe.-
low creature who is actually starving
for want of foodr'
All this was uttered SO rapidly that
my father could only stand open mouthed
and listen to the end.
Finding that my father did not at once
reply, the shabby individual went on an
other tack. "Sir," cried he, II honor
your grief, which is doubtless deep, as
you como from the receptacle of the
dead, and would not thus intrude upon
it were it not that my necessities compel
what my reason deplores."
"Ah, you may well say, sir, that my
grief is deep, and that l have cause for
the tears which you perceive me she'd"
said my father, gazing lugubriously upon
the seedy party. You may well make
that remark, sir. for / have but now
come from the solemn contemplation of
the coffined remains Of dearly beloved
ancestors. My great-grandfather and
great-grandmother sir, lie prone in their
mortal dust in the rooms before which
we stand" and the old gentleman ap-
piled his handkerchief to his eyes and
shook convulsively.
For some moments the shabby man
was so taken aback that he was unable
to utter single word, but at last he
gasped, do / understand you to say,
sir, that the deceased parties whose loss
you mourn are your great-grandfathe
and great-grandnother?'
"Even so, SIR" said my father. "My
respected progenitors."
"Is it long since they ceased to exist?"
ventured the shabby man.
THAT, my dear sir, depends upon the
manner in which we view such events"
said my father. 'Viewed as an incident
in the life Of the universe and the great
scheme Of the Creator, the breath has
but now left their bodies, but consid-
pred as we mortals estimate time they
have been dead about 100 years"
The old mendicant stood gazing at my
father in speechless astonishment. Evil
IDENTIFY he believed himself in the pres
snce of an insane person. The old fellow
was regularly beaten dumfounded.
But he very quickly regained his look of
alertness when my father thrust his hand
into his trousers pocket and said, II be-
lieve you remarked awhile ago, sir, that
you stood in need Of some sort of refresh
ment"
II did, my dear and sadly afflicted
friend" eagerly cried the old man, "and
indeed am really much in need of food"
laid my hand upon my fathers arm
as hint to him to keep his money in
his pocket. had recognized the old
pan the moment he appeared, though
ne had no reason to remember having
ever before seen me. / had often seen
the man both in California and Nevada.
His name was Walter Jepson. He had
landed in California in the early days as
a regularly ordained Episcopalian. min
lister, but in the exciting times he went
into the mines to dig gold, and in little
while became "black sheep"
For a long time he fourished as o
"high toned sport" but love Of drink at
last dragged him down into the ranks Of
the chronic bummers. When had staid
my fathers hand. turned to the old
fellow and said sharply, "Jepson, how
long have you been on this drunk
"This drunk" cried Jepson, opening
his eyes widely in surprise at being ad-
dressed by name. "Why, sir, have not
drunk enough in the last week to steady
my nerves. That's what's the matter
now-my only trouble"
II guess you're telling the truth, said
/. "You don't find il so easy TO get your
regular booze here as you did in Neva-
da and California"
"Ahl Then you are from the Pacific
coast? You know mey'
Eyes, very well by reputation"
"That settles it then, for I'm sure you
don't know much Of me that's good"
"No. nor much that is very bad. The
worst is your throwing yourself away
through love of liquor"
Thank You, sir. Those are the kind
est words have heard in many long
day, from which you may imagine tho
style Of compliments generally bestowed
upon me-
Now, Jepson, tell me truly and a. q
Pacific coaster, do you want money for
liquor or for foodT
Both. First need big stiff drink
and then q good square meal. I am
really more II need of food than are
thousands who beg for IL, yet Ihave need